 Passover
Passover, or "Pesach" in Hebrew, is one of 7 biblical feasts the Lord commanded the Israelites to observe. This year it begins on March 29, corresponding to the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. Feast means "appointed time," so these are times that God has appointed to meet with His people. We observe the feasts not only as an act of obedience and worship, but as prophetic acts that release the glory of God on earth. These are appointed times of special anointing for not only the Jewish people but the Church. The story of Passover is found in Exodus chapter 12.
Protection
The feast of Passover commemorates God's passing over the houses of the Hebrews on the night that the first born of Egypt were slain. Hebrew homes were spared because they applied the blood of a lamb to the doorposts of their homes. The word "Pesach" means to pass over. It also implies spreading one's wings over something in order to protect or cover it. Passover is a celebration of the Lord's protection from judgment and resulting deliverance into freedom. Despite the terror that may abound, today, through the blood of the Lamb of God who is Messiah Yeshua, those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High can rest securely in the shadow of the Almighty. They can say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." (Psalm 91:1-2)
Goshen
The Hebrews lived in a certain area of Egypt called Goshen. Goshen means simply "mound of earth." During the plagues that preceded the Hebrews' exodus from Egypt, Goshen was miraculously protected from the devastating effects of the plagues. There was darkness in Egypt, but there was light in Goshen. Today, as darkness covers the earth, God's people can arise and shine, for His glory is shining on them. He wants many to come to that Light. When the Hebrews finally left Egypt, many Egyptians came with them in the form of a "mixed multitude." They came to the Light, they forsook their former gods, and became worshipers of one true God whose name is known as YHVH.
Freedom from Sin
Passover is followed by the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread, during which time we abstain from unleavened bread, and any other food with leaven or yeast, in it. The connection is that once we are delivered from bondage, we are to live without the leaven of sin. These days, the Passover holiday has come to include both feasts. Only if we can rest in the knowledge our sins have been forgiven, can we can dwell securely in the shadow of the Almighty, and let our light so shine as to glorify our Father in heaven.
Defeat of the Oppressor
As surely as God defeated the Egyptian Pharaoh, we will defeat the fanatical world powers that oppose Him and His people today. Pharaoh did not succumb easily, but that too was in God's sovereign plan, to magnify Himself before not only Israel, but all of Egypt. As surely, God will magnify Himself before not only Israel, but all of the Islamic world, through the battles that now rage on the earth. Let us continue to stand fast in faith and prayer, for He is willing that all humanity come to the knowledge of truth. He wants to reap a harvest of souls in the Middle East. We fight not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities for spiritual breakthrough, exodus and deliverance of whole peoples.
Communion with Jesus
Yeshua is blessed when we keep the Passover feast with Him. In Luke 22:15, He said, "I have EAGERLY DESIRED to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." He is still eager to eat this Passover with His disciples. As Jesus gathered with the Twelve in Jerusalem, He led them in a Seder, or service of remembrance of the exodus events. He identified with the elements of unleavened bread and wine in a way that the church has called "communion". It was through the same story of the Passover lamb that is recounted during the Seder that Yeshua was able to communicate symbolically what would take place through the events over the next several hours, on what we now call Good Friday. There is a special communion with Yeshua that He desires during the Passover. He wants to impart an identification with His sufferings, that we might know the power of His resurrection.
Living Sacrifices
On the fifteenth day of the month of Nisan, Friday, Yeshua was crucified. At that time, Paschal lambs were sacrificed on the altar in the afternoon. Thus the spotless Lamb of God was being offered up at the same time the priests in the temple offered up the people's sacrificial lambs on the altar. The cross is really the altar of the Most Holy. God's timing was prophetically impeccable. Romans 12:1 tells us, " Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God---this is your spiritual act of worship." We are called to live as Yeshua did, offering our bodies as living sacrifices. In times of terror and uncertainty, we are sometimes faced with the fact that loving God---worshipful sacrifice---is really what our lives are about.
Our Redemption Draws Nigh
During the Feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread Jews all over the world will participate in Seders. As believers, we celebrate not in order to be redeemed, but because we are redeemed. The feast foreshadows the redemption that would come in our Redeemer Yeshua through personal salvation. But it also foreshadows ultimately, an even greater redemption -- the redemption of the world as the Lord literally returns as Redeemer King to usher in His literal rule and reign on the earth. This is one reason why the Word tells us to keep the feast "for all generations." It also reminds us in these days of war, rumors of war, mysterious diseases, and tribulation for many on earth, to look up, for our redemption draws close. Yeshua is coming soon!
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