Tag: Exodus 12:8

Good morning, dear reader! As I dwell on the Passover feast and the Seder, it makes me so appreciative of Christ’s work on the cross so that we may be saved! Is there a greater gift than this? (Romans 6:23) We are approaching the season where we celebrate the Saviour’s birth and without His birth, there would be no death or resurrection, amen?

As we look at the other elements of the Seder plate, we’ll see that they are reminders to Israel of their slavery in Egypt. Each element plays a traditional role which helps them to remember what God did for them. The next element is the vegetable, which is called the karpas. It’s usually parsley dipped in salted water. It’s a “picture” of the hyssop that was used to paint the blood of the Passover lamb around the door frame. The salted water represents all the tears shed during their enslavement in Egypt and how God parted the Red Sea. As a Christian, this reminds me of the hyssop that was used to give vinegar as a drink to the Saviour as He was hanging on the cross. (John 19:29) When I think of my Saviour enduring the agony of the cross, I can’t help but cry.

The next element are the bitter herbs, called “maror” in Hebrew. Exodus 12:8 tells us that this was commanded to be a part of the Passover feast. Today, they usually use horseradish, which is one of the most bitter herbs. This element reminds the celebrants that they could not offer sacrifices to God and that was more bitter to them than their enslavement in Egypt. For me as a believer, my life here on earth is bitter compared to my eternal life with Christ. I also see it as my life before I knew Christ. It was quite bitter until He became my Lord and Saviour and He now produces sweet fruit in my heart!

Another element on the Seder plate is the charoset. This is a mixture of apples, nuts, wine and spices. Charoset represents the mortar used in building by the Israelites during their enslavement. My Jewish friend said that was everyone’s favorite part! 😁 It is the only sweet element on the Seder plate and is a reminder of their hope of redemption! (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 9:15) For the believer, does this bring to mind the beautiful hymn “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”? Yes, it is sweet to have Jesus in our lives. There is none greater and none who can bring the joy and peace that He brings! Praise God for His redemption!

The last of the elements is the hard-boiled or roasted egg, which in Hebrew is the baytzah. Jewish tradition says that those who mourned the loss of a loved one ate hard-boiled eggs. The roasted egg in the Seder reminds the participants that they mourn the loss of their temple. To the Christian, it could represent that we are the temple of God and no longer need that temple made with hands. (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19)

Oh dear reader, do you not see Jesus in each of the details we covered today? Do you know the Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, personally or do you only know of Him? I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Good morning! I hope you are being blessed by this new series. As I learned about this beautiful tradition, it made me wonder why the Jews can’t see the Lord Jesus Christ depicted throughout. I understand that we are looking back to the Cross but there are so many prophecies that were fulfilled through Jesus, our Messiah; it’s hard to believe they don’t see it. It encourages me to pray for the veil to be lifted from their eyes so they can recognize that their Messiah came to pay the ransom for their sins and that He is coming for His church at any moment! (Matthew 20:28, 1 Timothy 2:6)

Another symbol of Christ on the Seder plate is the matzoh. Matzoh is unleavened bread; this bread does not contain yeast. The fact that there is no yeast in their bread reminds the Jews of how quickly they left Egypt. (Deuteronomy 16:3) They didn’t have time to put yeast in the flour, hence unleavened bread. It brings to mind that yeast is also symbolic of sin. Just one sin corrupts the entire body! (Galatians 5:9, Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:21, 1 Corinthians 5:6)

Now this next point is quite a blessing to me. Matzoh is also a picture of the Messiah! The matzoh is placed in a bag which has three sections (or pockets). This is called an “echad” which in Hebrew means “one”! (Genesis 2:24) A piece of matzoh is placed in each section of the bag. The first section isn’t used in the Seder. As well, it is not to be seen or touched. The second section is a matzoh which is broken in half at the beginning of the Seder: half remains in the bag and the other is placed on a linen cloth. Then lastly, the matzoh in the third section is to be eaten with the other items on the plate. The Jews believe the three pieces of matzoh represent Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But they can’t explain why they break the second matzoh (representing Isaac) in half and putting half back in the echad; the other other half on a linen cloth.

For Christians, it’s a beautiful picture of the Trinity (three sections in the echad). The first matzoh remains in the echad, which represents the unseen Heavenly Father. The second matzoh represents Christ’s broken body (1 Corinthians 11:24). The half that is put back in the echad reveals Christ’s divine nature next to the Father. The other half, which is placed on a linen cloth, represents the Lord’s life while He was on earth as well as when He was placed in the linen burial cloths. The third matzoh represents the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us and is a part of our every day lives.

An interesting point about the half of the matzoh which is hidden in the linen cloth really blessed me. This is hidden somewhere in the house and after the children have eaten, and they go searching for it. Once it’s found, it is held as a ransom!!! I got goosebumps when I learned this! It’s a fulfillment of Matthew 19:14, 1 Corinthians 11:24, and Mark 10:45! With child-like faith, we are to search for the Saviour whose body was broken so that He could give His life as a ransom for us! Thank You, Jesus my Saviour! ❣

The last point of the matzoh is its preparation. Not only must it be unleavened, but it must be striped and pierced! Are you jumping out of your skin yet? 😀 The stripes represent Christ’s wounds, which heal us spiritually! (Isaiah 53:5) Furthermore, the matzoh is pierced representing Christ’s hands, feet and side being pierced. (Psalm 22:16, John 19:34, John 20:25) Isn’t this a beautiful picture??!! Of course, this isn’t what the Jews see as they partake, but you and I can see it clearly as believers in Christ Jesus! Jesus is our bread of life, Christian! (John 6:33, John 6:35, John 6:48, John 6:51)

Do you know the Messiah, Jesus Christ, personally or do you only know of Him? I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!