Passover: The Ultimate Symbol of Redemption in Christ
Summary
Today, I had the privilege of sharing about the profound significance of Passover and its connection to our faith in Jesus Christ as the ultimate Passover Lamb. We began by exploring the traditional elements of the Passover Seder, emphasizing the deep symbolism found in each component. The Seder plate, filled with items like karpas, maror, and chazeret, serves as a vivid reminder of the Israelites' suffering in Egypt and the sweetness of redemption promised by God.
We delved into the scriptural basis of Passover, reading from Luke 22, where Jesus instructs His disciples to prepare the Passover meal. This passage highlights the meticulous care with which the Israelites, and later Jesus and His followers, observed this feast, underscoring its enduring importance.
A significant part of our discussion focused on the unleavened bread, or matzah, which is a central element of Passover. The removal and breaking of the middle matzah, wrapped and hidden as the afikomen, beautifully illustrates Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This act of breaking bread, which Jesus repurposed during the Last Supper, is a powerful testament to His role as our redeemer.
We also reflected on the symbolism of the four cups of wine drunk during the Seder, particularly the third cup, the Cup of Redemption, which Jesus identified with His blood, shed for the remission of sins. This cup, taken after dinner, marks a pivotal moment in the Seder and in our understanding of Jesus' sacrificial death.
The service concluded with a call to personal application. Just as the Israelites applied the blood of the lamb to their doorposts, we too are called to apply the blood of Christ to our lives, embracing His gift of salvation with faith and gratitude. This act of faith is what allows us to move from slavery to sin into the glorious freedom offered through Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Passover Seder is rich with symbols, each meticulously designed to remind us of God's deliverance and the bitterness of slavery. The karpas dipped in salt water teaches us that life without redemption is immersed in tears, a poignant reminder of the transformative power of Christ's redemption in our lives. [48:34]
2. The breaking and hiding of the afikomen is a profound illustration of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This tradition not only enriches our understanding of Passover but also deepens our appreciation for the Last Supper, where Jesus broke bread and offered it as His body, broken for us. [47:09]
3. The third cup, the Cup of Redemption, directly connects the Passover Seder to our Christian communion practices. This cup, symbolizing the blood of Christ, is central to our faith, reminding us of the new covenant and the ultimate sacrifice made for our redemption. [01:09:49]
4. The concept of redemption is central to both Passover and the Christian faith. As we reflect on the historical deliverance of the Israelites, we are also reminded of our spiritual deliverance through Christ, the Passover Lamb whose blood was shed for the sins of the world. [45:42]
5. The invitation to apply the blood of the Lamb to our lives is not just a historical reflection but a daily call to live in the freedom and victory that Jesus has secured for us. This application is personal and transformative, urging us to live as people redeemed from bondage to sin. [01:14:37]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
00:35:48 - Introduction to Passover and Its Significance
00:37:26 - The Symbolism of Unleavened Bread
00:38:59 - The Role of the Head of Household in Passover
00:40:30 - The Lighting of the Candles Ceremony
00:42:11 - Overview of the Passover Seder Ceremony
00:43:06 - The Kiddush and the Four Questions
00:44:11 - Explanation of Redemption in Passover
00:45:02 - The Significance of the Blood of the Lamb
00:46:26 - The Matzah Tash and Afikomen
00:47:45 - The Seder Plate and Its Symbolism
00:49:25 - The Bitter Herbs and Their Meaning
00:53:12 - Personal Application of the Passover Story
00:54:37 - The Second Cup: The Cup of Plagues
00:56:14 - Redemption Through Faith in Messiah Jesus
00:57:24 - Ministry of Jews for Jesus
01:00:49 - Supporting the Ministry and Prayer for Israel
01:03:10 - Partnership and Support Opportunities
01:04:53 - The Third Cup: The Cup of Redemption
01:07:52 - The Unity of the Matzah Tash
01:09:14 - The New Covenant in the Blood of Jesus
01:10:44 - Communion and the Passover Meal
01:11:36 - The Fourth Cup: The Cup of Praise
01:12:14 - The Cup of Elijah and Its Significance
01:13:44 - Closing Prayer and Reflections on Messiah's Return
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 22:7-8, 13: "Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, 'Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.' ... And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover."
2. Exodus 12:13: "The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt."
3. 1 Corinthians 5:7: "Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."
### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did Jesus give to Peter and John regarding the Passover meal in Luke 22:7-8? [35:48]
2. According to Exodus 12:13, what was the significance of the blood on the doorposts during the first Passover?
3. In 1 Corinthians 5:7, what does Paul mean by "cleanse out the old leaven"? How does this relate to the Passover tradition? [37:26]
4. What are the four cups of wine mentioned in the Passover Seder, and what does each represent? [42:11]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the breaking and hiding of the afikomen during the Passover Seder symbolize Christ's death, burial, and resurrection? [47:09]
2. What is the significance of the third cup, the Cup of Redemption, in both the Passover Seder and Christian communion practices? [01:09:49]
3. How does the concept of leaven as a symbol of sin enhance our understanding of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and its relevance to Christian life? [37:26]
4. Why is it important for Christians to understand the historical and spiritual significance of Passover in relation to Jesus as the Passover Lamb? [45:42]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the symbolism of the karpas dipped in salt water. How does this remind you of the tears and bitterness in your life before experiencing Christ's redemption? [48:34]
2. The afikomen is broken, hidden, and then found. How can this tradition deepen your appreciation for Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection? How can you incorporate this understanding into your daily life? [47:09]
3. The third cup, the Cup of Redemption, is central to both the Passover Seder and Christian communion. How does this cup remind you of the new covenant and the sacrifice Jesus made for your sins? How can you live out this truth daily? [01:09:49]
4. The Israelites applied the blood of the lamb to their doorposts as an act of faith. How can you apply the blood of Christ to your life today? What does this look like in practical terms? [45:42]
5. The Passover Seder is a time of reflection and celebration. How can you create moments of reflection and celebration in your own spiritual journey to remember and honor Christ's sacrifice? [42:11]
6. The concept of redemption is central to both Passover and the Christian faith. How has understanding this concept impacted your personal faith journey? How can you share this understanding with others? [45:42]
7. The invitation to apply the blood of the Lamb to our lives is a daily call to live in freedom and victory. What specific steps can you take this week to embrace and live out this freedom in Christ? [01:14:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Life's Bitterness Transformed by Redemption
The Passover Seder is a profound reminder of the bitterness of slavery and the sweetness of redemption. The karpas, dipped in salt water, symbolizes the tears of the Israelites during their bondage in Egypt. This act serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of Christ's redemption in our lives. As believers, we are invited to reflect on our own lives, recognizing areas of spiritual bondage or bitterness, and to embrace the redemptive work of Christ, which turns our mourning into joy. This transformation is not just a historical event but a present reality that offers a new way of living, marked by freedom and grace. [48:34]
Exodus 1:14: "And they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel the bitterness of 'slavery'? How can you invite Christ's redemptive work into these areas today?
Day 2: Christ's Death and Resurrection Illustrated
The breaking and hiding of the afikomen during the Passover Seder beautifully illustrates Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This tradition enriches our understanding of the Last Supper, where Jesus broke bread and offered it as His body, broken for us. This act invites us to delve deeper into the significance of Jesus' sacrifice, recognizing it as the central element of our faith. The afikomen, hidden and then brought back, mirrors Jesus' resurrection, offering us hope and renewal. As we reflect on this, we are called to remember and celebrate the victory over death that Jesus secured for us. [47:09]
1 Corinthians 5:7b-8: "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as our Passover Lamb influence your celebration of His resurrection?
Day 3: The Cup of Redemption: A New Covenant
The third cup in the Passover Seder, the Cup of Redemption, is deeply significant for Christians as it symbolizes the new covenant in Jesus' blood, which was shed for the remission of sins. This cup, taken after dinner, marks a pivotal moment not only in the Seder but also in the Christian faith, as it directly connects to our practice of communion. By drinking this cup, we remember and proclaim Jesus' sacrificial death until He comes again, celebrating the new life and hope we have in Him. This act of communion is a central element of our worship and a profound declaration of our faith. [01:09:49]
Jeremiah 31:31-34: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord."
Reflection: How does the Cup of Redemption during the Passover Seder enhance your understanding and appreciation of communion?
Day 4: Redemption: Historical and Spiritual Deliverance
The concept of redemption is central to both the Passover and the Christian faith. Reflecting on the historical deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, we are also reminded of our spiritual deliverance through Christ, the Passover Lamb whose blood was shed for the sins of the world. This dual aspect of redemption—historical and spiritual—invites us to explore the depths of God's saving work, not only in history but in our individual lives. By understanding this, we can better appreciate the comprehensive scope of God's redemption and His ongoing work in our lives. [45:42]
Galatians 4:4-5: "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."
Reflection: How does the story of the Israelites' deliverance inspire you to live out your spiritual freedom in Christ?
Day 5: Applying the Blood of the Lamb to Our Lives
Just as the Israelites applied the blood of the lamb to their doorposts, we too are called to apply the blood of Christ to our lives, embracing His gift of salvation with faith and gratitude. This act of faith allows us to move from slavery to sin into the glorious freedom offered through Christ. It is a personal and transformative application, urging us to live as people redeemed from bondage to sin. Each day, we have the opportunity to live out this freedom, demonstrating the power of Christ's redemption in our actions, decisions, and relationships. [01:14:37]
Colossians 1:13-14: "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: What does applying the blood of Christ to your life look like in practical terms? How can you demonstrate this application today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Passover is not just a meal. Passover is really a banquet. And it's not just a service. You know, Passover is a ceremony. And you know, while a meal... A meal and a service might take just one or two hours, the Passover ceremony, Seder, takes a total of four hours." [42:11]
2. "The Passover celebration always begins with the lighting of the candles. And the lighting of the candles is always the duty and honor of the woman of the house. So please welcome my wife, Dina. Let's welcome some beauty to the stage." [40:30]
3. "In Jews for Jesus, we relentlessly pursue God's plan for the salvation of the Jewish people. We are passionate about making Jewish disciples for Jesus, sharing the gospel with Jewish people." [57:24]
4. "We have an opportunity to come alongside them and stand with them and love and support them in ways that are only possible when people hit rock bottom." [01:00:49]
5. "The concept of redemption is central to both Passover and the Christian faith. As we reflect on the historical deliverance of the Israelites, we are also reminded of our spiritual deliverance through Christ, the Passover Lamb whose blood was shed for the sins of the world." [45:42]
### Quotes for Members
1. "The breaking and hiding of the afikomen is a profound illustration of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This tradition not only enriches our understanding of Passover but also deepens our appreciation for the Last Supper, where Jesus broke bread and offered it as His body, broken for us." [47:09]
2. "The third cup, the Cup of Redemption, directly connects the Passover Seder to our Christian communion practices. This cup, symbolizing the blood of Christ, is central to our faith, reminding us of the new covenant and the ultimate sacrifice made for our redemption." [01:04:53]
3. "The invitation to apply the blood of the Lamb to our lives is not just a historical reflection but a daily call to live in the freedom and victory that Jesus has secured for us. This application is personal and transformative, urging us to live as people redeemed from bondage to sin." [01:14:37]
4. "The Passover Seder is rich with symbols, each meticulously designed to remind us of God's deliverance and the bitterness of slavery. The karpas dipped in salt water teaches us that life without redemption is immersed in tears, a poignant reminder of the transformative power of Christ's redemption in our lives." [48:34]
5. "The concept of redemption is central to both Passover and the Christian faith. As we reflect on the historical deliverance of the Israelites, we are also reminded of our spiritual deliverance through Christ, the Passover Lamb whose blood was shed for the sins of the world." [45:42]
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