crucified

Week 9: Time to Celebrate!

by with No Comment Passover
The Feast has arrived!
 
Remember, the day of Passover was the actual day of the sacrifice. So, while you are organizing, cooking, and getting ready, know that you are part of the great history of Passover.
 
This is what the faithful remnant has been doing for many, many years. Also, stop to remember that this was when the Messiah was taken in to Pilate; he was interrogated; he was beaten and mocked. Then he was sacrificed as our Passover Lamb.
 
As the sun sets and dinner is ready, the High Sabbath of the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins and so does the seder. Recount the glorious story of our redemption, and enjoy the company you’re with.
 
And remember, the story is not over…
 
Next year in Jerusalem!
passover-preperations

Week 8: Time to Prepare!

by with No Comment Passover
As the feast nears, it’s time to get serious about preparation! Make sure you have your meal all planned out and your grocery list made. Don’t forget to be mindful while you shop — don’t accidentally throw that box of crackers you usually buy into your cart!
 
Now is a good time to plan out your centerpiece for the seder as well. Some haggadahs (Passover “playbooks”) have recommendations for centerpieces that can play a role in the service during dinner, but otherwise, something pretty with flowers, lambs or candles will do nicely.
If you are having guests over for the big meal, finalize the guest list now. Plan out the seating arrangements and break out the fine china and cloth napkins.
 
After all that work, sit down to a movie night. “The 10 Commandments” and “Messiah: Prophecy Fulfilled” are great ones this time of year!
cleaning-for-passover

Week 7: Time to Clean!

by with No Comment Passover
Many people use Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a time to get their houses clean from top to bottom.
 
All leaven is supposed to be gone and off our property (Ex 13:7) before the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins, so this can be an exercise in detailed cleaning. Crumbs in the toaster, the old box of pretzels hiding in the recesses of the pantry, that goldfish cracker stuck in the little one’s car seat — it all needs to go!
 
Of course, you can get as intense about it as you feel led to, but the point is to take some time to consider where leaven may be hiding in your house and where things that get in the way of your relationship with the Father are hiding in your life. 
Happy cleaning!
celebrating-the-feast-of-unleavened-bread

Week 6: The Feast of Unleavened Bread

by with No Comment Passover
Once the night of the seder is over, there is still a week of feast left!
 
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is seven days and begins just as the day of Passover comes to a close (Note: Biblical days begin in the evening at sunset).
 
During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we don’t eat any leaven as a reminder of keeping ourselves free of sin and set apart for YeHoVaH, but there are also several other things to remember and commemorate during this week:
  • The year the Messiah was crucified, Passover was on a Wednesday.
  • The Messiah died in the late afternoon and was buried before the High Sabbath of the Feast of Unleavened Bread started that evening (when everyone had their seders).
  • He was in the ground Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights and the days of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
  • Then the Lord of the Sabbath was raised on the Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread!
The day after the weekly Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread is another feast called Firstfruits. This is when the firstfruits of the barley harvest are presented. When Yeshua was raised, those whose graves were opened at his crucifixion were raised and he presented them to the Father as the Firstfruits offering.
 
Firstfruits is also the day we are told to start counting the 50 days to Shavuot or Pentecost (Lev 23:15), also known as “the counting of the omer.”
 
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a busy week with much to remember, study, and discuss. It is also a great week to do acts of service, in keeping with the example set by the Messiah at the Last Supper. The day of Firstfruits specifically is the perfect day to make offerings from what you have to those in need.