When our children were small, our special time together was at the kitchen table as we started our day together over breakfast, a Bible devotion and a review of after school events. Now that we have only one at home, one with his own house and two in college, our time together is less frequent, so I think I treasure it more. Adjusting to the change, we have made Sunday dinner our new family gathering time. Anyone who is in town will join us around the dining room table; we eat, laugh, tell stories and joke with each other. Sharing a meal is a way to build unity, communication and strengthens our relationships. Sometimes extended family join us which makes the conversations that much more entertaining!
In Biblical times, talking, reciting and storytelling were the main source of sharing information and history. Ideas were debated and children taught by listening to older family members. As parents, we are responsible for giving those entrusted to us direction while demonstrating how to walking in faith, admitting our mistakes, and being a trusted resource when the world tries to sway them otherwise. Our schedules are busy and life is hard, but we the LORD's requirement to impress knowledge and understanding of our Creator has not changed.
Love the LORD Your God. These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:1-7 NIV
This weekend is a great opportunity to sit and talk about Adonai as our families and friends gather during this Passover-Easter season. The Jewish community observes Passover, Pesach, for seven days (eight nights) beginning at sunset Friday, March 30th continuing to sunset Saturday, April 7th. During Passover, time is set aside for the memorable meal, called a Seder, which includes readings and food as a reminder of the Hebrew peoples' release from Egyptian slavery. Some may think Passover is not important to the Christian in Western society, but it is one of the three times required by Elohim for His people to gather and worship Him.
“ These are the LORD’s appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times: The LORD’s Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.
On the fifteenth day of that month the LORD’s Festival of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast.” Leviticus 23:4-6 NIV
During the Seder the Exodus story is retold as a remembrance of the Great I AM's faithfulness toward His people which is organized in the Pesach Haggadah. The Hebrew word Haggāḏāh, means a "tale or parable," which comes from " 'higgīḏ' meaning to tell or expound." Our Christian version or "Messianic" Haggadah, demonstrating Christ's fulfillment of the redemptive requirements in the original Passover, is available for you to download from our More ... Page.
Jesus came to fulfill each law and commandment of the Father, and He observed the Passover. The Last Supper in the Upper Room is the Passover Seder with His explanation of how He is the Passover lamb of sacrifice.
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
“Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.
He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.” They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Luke 22:7-16 NIV
I encourage you to begin a new Easter tradition. Celebrate Passover! You will be amazed at the depth of understanding and appreciation for Christ's demonstration of love for you. Print the Haggadah, read it over beforehand, and make plans to prepare your special Seder meal. If it's not perfect...it will be okay. If you make this a tradition with your family, it will get easier and more familiar each year. Take the first step. Keep it simple. Enjoy a special time with your family.
Holy, Omnipotent God, the Passover Seder and the Haggadah may be new words to us and the practice may be unfamiliar and awkward, but Loving Abba Father please will bless our efforts. As we make our plans to celebrate Your Passover, open our hearts and minds to Your understanding and knowledge. Thank you for Your redemption, forgiveness and love. If You never do anything more for us, it would be enough and we are grateful for our salvation. We love You, our Savior and Counselor. Amen