PASSOVER
Over time, the word ‘passover’ has been taken to mean various things, some having been genuinely misunderstood and others being misappropriated from the original meaning. One example is the passing of the Israelites through the Red Sea as they escaped from the Egyptians and another refers to when a person dies and they are said to passover. The correct application of the word refers to the passing over by the Lord in mercy on houses marked with the blood of a lamb in the final judgement on Egypt. Such was the impact of this moment when the firstborn of all those living without this protection in Egypt died that there was a loud wailing throughout the country. This sad event was a catalyst to Pharaoh setting the Jewish nation free and has been remembered annually by practicing Jews ever since. Passover (or Pesach) is in the Spring and is one of the three main annual festivals celebrated. It not only marks the liberation of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, but also the giving of the Ten Commandments and the journey to Israel. The ‘Hagaddah’, which is the story of the exodus from Egypt, is read at this celebration and takes the form of a ritual meal with many symbolic components. It was important to Jesus and we should know why.
- ‘Passover and Easter are the only Jewish and Christian holidays that move in sync, like the ice skating pairs we saw during the winter Olympics’ – Marvin Olasky