Blood of the lamb on the doorposts and lintel
photo source
Life moves on very fast.
Faster than I can chronicle or document it. Events both planned and unplanned go by, feelings crop up, realizations hit me one after the other - and much as I would have wanted to share what is going on these days in my little corner of this world, there really hasn't been enough time for it.
Lately, I have been re-posting from my Walkway Reflections 2010 diary, in keeping with Christendom's observation of the Lenten calendar. What I really wanted to do was to share my fresh reflections for this season. But somehow it has required more discipline and effort these days for me to translate into words what's going on beneath the surface.
And that's the main point. Much of what happens in our lives cannot really be put into words.
Some of my thoughts are quite meaningful and worth keeping. But I can't hold on to them. They are not really meant to be stored up or talked about, only to be experienced and learned from.
I take comfort in knowing that heaven is that eternal place where nothing good or beautiful will ever be forgotten. In heaven, my whole life will be seen from a redeemed perspective. And I will understand. Nothing will be lost. Everything will be as clear as daylight!
For now let my words be few and direct to the point, a simple narrating of things as they have taken place, and a heartfelt sharing of what I feel.
On this post I want to share something very significant...
We celebrated Passover last night.
I had been wanting to do this, and finally this year we were able to do it.
Over the past years, I have become aware of the importance of observing the seven appointed feasts in God's yearly cycle. The Passover is the first of these festivals.
The Israelites were first given detailed instructions about Passover on their last night in Egypt. God was about to send the tenth and last plague over Egypt, one so terrible - the killing of every first born child, it was guaranteed to move Pharaoh's heart to finally let them go.
God was about to display His power in the lives of the Israelites. The plague would not touch their dwelling places, but they had to follow the instructions.
The instructions were clear - there was to be a sacrificial lamb, its blood to be painted on the doorposts and lintels of their homes, and a special meal - consisting of a roasted lamb, bitter vegetables, and unleavened flat bread - to be eaten by the whole family. They were to partake of the meal dressed for travel, in haste, ready at a moment's notice to leave.
I try to picture the scene over and over again in my mind.
Having been slaves for over four hundred years, they had lost all sense of who they really were. Slavery does that to you. You lose sight of your true identity... somebody else owns you, somebody else dictates to you how you should feel and think.
And now the moment of freedom they had been waiting for was coming. They had to be ready.
It must have been awesome. Millions of Israelites, their few precious belongings packed - for slaves did not really own much... what were they thinking?
Can this God be trusted at His word?
Will death really not enter our doors?
Many thoughts going on in my mind and heart, too... thoughts about the significance of this Passover celebration.
I, too, was once a slave. Ruled by an enemy power, a slave to selfish desires and wrong perceptions of who I really was, unaware of my true worth and value.
Until this same God entered my life, and told me that His Son has already paid the price for my my freedom... that I was worth dying for.
Today, in many homes around the world, Passover has become a much celebrated tradition. An elaborate meal is prepared, many symbolic foods included, and eaten leisurely. A lengthy ritual is followed.
Far removed from the events surrounding that very first Passover when they ate their meal knowing death could strike the land at any moment... or even that "second Passover" when Jesus Christ was tried, sentenced, and executed under questionable circumstances... nailed to the cross as the sacrificial Lamb for all mankind...
I wanted our own version of Passover to be more than mere ritual. More than words that would be read from a printed copy.
Considering that this was our first time ever to observe the Passover Seder, with the help and guidance of God, I think we did very well.
We celebrated Passover in a simple but spiritually meaningful way.
We had lamb prepared in three different ways: roasted lamb served in a curry gravy, lamb kebabs with yogurt and garlic sauce, and grilled lamb chops served with pesto in olive oil.
We also had cream of mushroom soup, assorted salad greens, sliced apples sprinkled with cinnamon, raisins and cashew nuts.
We had a plate of bitter vegetables.
Of course, we had unleavened flatbread, similar to the Arabic khubz, which we ate with a generous serving of hummus.
And we had a bottle of wine.
We followed a beautiful Passover Seder taken from Robert D. Heidler's book, The Messianic Church Arising.
For me, Passover is significant because it is a true story of how the Israelite homes were spared from death, simply by following the Lord's instructions.
Passover is a picture of our redemption from the slavery of sin and the inevitable consequence of spending eternity in hell.
Jesus became our Passover lamb. He was sinless, without blemish, innocent. He took our place. His blood flowed to purchase our salvation, and to provide for anyone who believes in the work He accomplished on the cross, a place in heaven for all eternity.
I could never really thank God enough for sending His Son Jesus to die in my place, that I may have a place in heaven forever.
As we obey God's desire for us to observe the appointed feasts that He has outlined for us in the Old Testament, we are positioning ourselves for the blessings that follow our obedient acts.
Passover is an invitation for us keep the divine appointment, an opportunity to pause and take time to remember what God has done.
Passover is a time to rid our lives and homes of impurity and non-essentials. Let go of what defiles and weighs down.
Keeping Passover will not happen by chance. It has to be a deliberate choice.
God clearly says in Exodus 12:14 - This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.
Before we began our Passover celebration, we anointed with oil the door posts and lintel of the front doors of our two adjoining homes where my two sons and their families and I live. We prayed that no death, and no destruction will be able to enter our homes. By faith we declared that we were pushing back the clouds of darkness, sickness, doubt, unbelief, worry, and fear. By faith we released life into our homes, and welcomed God's abiding presence to flow in and through us.
I sincerely expect for spiritual breakthroughs to overtake us in the weeks and months ahead of us!
My Passover prayer:
Thank You Father for the significance of this appointed feast. I thank You that Jesus is my Passover Lamb, and I do ask You for a fresh release of your power and deliverance upon me and my family today.
Thank You that through Your Son's death, a way of escape was provided.
Having made the choice to follow You years ago, I have been set free from the bondage and slavery of sin.
Jesus has conquered the grave, and death has lost its sting and its power.
In the name of Jesus, I contend for the destiny of every member of my family!
I stand on my spiritual authority and push back the clouds of darkness over me and my whole family. I declare that all demonic assignments over us will not prosper. Our inheritance is secure, Your hedge of protection surrounds us.
I break free of old cycles that have hindered me from reaching new heights in You.
I push back unbelief, deception, and spiritual complacency.
I come against spiritual apathy, indifference, and pride.
Rather, let the humility of Jesus be the oil in our lamps, the guiding light in everything we do and say.
Let the fire of your love set our hearts ablaze, cause us to hunger and to thirst for You alone.
Thank You for the spiritual breakthroughs!
She prays:
"Thank You tonight for Jesus, our Savior and Messiah, who is the Light of the World."
The middle piece of matzo which represents Jesus, is broken. This is a symbol of His death.
One half of the matzo is wrapped in another napkin, and placed under a small pillow. This is a picture of the burial of Jesus. The matzo which is hidden under the pillow is called the Afikoman.
The invitation is then given by me, now that I have assumed the role of spiritual head of our family: "Let all who are hungry come and eat... For Jesus, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the feast.... 1 Corinthians 5:7-8.
As we eat the bitter herbs we remember the bitterness and misery of the life of the Israelites as slaves under cruel taskmasters in Egypt. For us, they also symbolize our existence before we came to know Jesus as our Savior, Redeemer and Lord.
The passover meal: the main dish is lamb, a picture of the Passover lamb sacrificed in Egypt, that Israel may be delivered from slavery.
Before eating the lamb, we took turns reading the instructions from Exodus 12 on the importance of the blood of the lamb that was to be painted on the doorposts and lintel of the door, a sign to the Angel of Death that he was to pass over any home where he sees the blood.
We thanked Jesus for the meaning of the lamb that we were about to eat. We thanked the Lord that Israel, and now we, were given a place of protection under the blood of the Lamb that was slain.
Our Passover Meal:
roasted lamb in curry gravy...
Mushroom soup... grilled lamb chops...sliced apples sprinkled with cinnamon powder...
lamb kebabs... salad greens and sliced cucumbers and carrots...
assorted sauces and dips... raisins and cashew nuts...
After the meal, we had communion. The Afikoman was taken from under the pillow, symbolizing the resurrection of Jesus. It was broken in pieces and each one of us ate a piece.
We also drank the "Cup of Redemption"...
Jesus said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me... 1 Corinthians 11:25.
photo source
Exodus 12:1-14
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.
“Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.
If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.
“The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
“Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.
“That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire—with the head, legs and internal organs. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it.
“This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.
“Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.
If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.
“The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
“Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.
“That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire—with the head, legs and internal organs. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it.
“This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.”
Life moves on very fast.
Faster than I can chronicle or document it. Events both planned and unplanned go by, feelings crop up, realizations hit me one after the other - and much as I would have wanted to share what is going on these days in my little corner of this world, there really hasn't been enough time for it.
Lately, I have been re-posting from my Walkway Reflections 2010 diary, in keeping with Christendom's observation of the Lenten calendar. What I really wanted to do was to share my fresh reflections for this season. But somehow it has required more discipline and effort these days for me to translate into words what's going on beneath the surface.
And that's the main point. Much of what happens in our lives cannot really be put into words.
Some of my thoughts are quite meaningful and worth keeping. But I can't hold on to them. They are not really meant to be stored up or talked about, only to be experienced and learned from.
I take comfort in knowing that heaven is that eternal place where nothing good or beautiful will ever be forgotten. In heaven, my whole life will be seen from a redeemed perspective. And I will understand. Nothing will be lost. Everything will be as clear as daylight!
For now let my words be few and direct to the point, a simple narrating of things as they have taken place, and a heartfelt sharing of what I feel.
On this post I want to share something very significant...
We celebrated Passover last night.
I had been wanting to do this, and finally this year we were able to do it.
Over the past years, I have become aware of the importance of observing the seven appointed feasts in God's yearly cycle. The Passover is the first of these festivals.
The Israelites were first given detailed instructions about Passover on their last night in Egypt. God was about to send the tenth and last plague over Egypt, one so terrible - the killing of every first born child, it was guaranteed to move Pharaoh's heart to finally let them go.
God was about to display His power in the lives of the Israelites. The plague would not touch their dwelling places, but they had to follow the instructions.
The instructions were clear - there was to be a sacrificial lamb, its blood to be painted on the doorposts and lintels of their homes, and a special meal - consisting of a roasted lamb, bitter vegetables, and unleavened flat bread - to be eaten by the whole family. They were to partake of the meal dressed for travel, in haste, ready at a moment's notice to leave.
I try to picture the scene over and over again in my mind.
Having been slaves for over four hundred years, they had lost all sense of who they really were. Slavery does that to you. You lose sight of your true identity... somebody else owns you, somebody else dictates to you how you should feel and think.
And now the moment of freedom they had been waiting for was coming. They had to be ready.
It must have been awesome. Millions of Israelites, their few precious belongings packed - for slaves did not really own much... what were they thinking?
Can this God be trusted at His word?
Will death really not enter our doors?
Many thoughts going on in my mind and heart, too... thoughts about the significance of this Passover celebration.
I, too, was once a slave. Ruled by an enemy power, a slave to selfish desires and wrong perceptions of who I really was, unaware of my true worth and value.
Until this same God entered my life, and told me that His Son has already paid the price for my my freedom... that I was worth dying for.
Today, in many homes around the world, Passover has become a much celebrated tradition. An elaborate meal is prepared, many symbolic foods included, and eaten leisurely. A lengthy ritual is followed.
Far removed from the events surrounding that very first Passover when they ate their meal knowing death could strike the land at any moment... or even that "second Passover" when Jesus Christ was tried, sentenced, and executed under questionable circumstances... nailed to the cross as the sacrificial Lamb for all mankind...
I wanted our own version of Passover to be more than mere ritual. More than words that would be read from a printed copy.
Considering that this was our first time ever to observe the Passover Seder, with the help and guidance of God, I think we did very well.
We celebrated Passover in a simple but spiritually meaningful way.
We had lamb prepared in three different ways: roasted lamb served in a curry gravy, lamb kebabs with yogurt and garlic sauce, and grilled lamb chops served with pesto in olive oil.
We also had cream of mushroom soup, assorted salad greens, sliced apples sprinkled with cinnamon, raisins and cashew nuts.
We had a plate of bitter vegetables.
Of course, we had unleavened flatbread, similar to the Arabic khubz, which we ate with a generous serving of hummus.
And we had a bottle of wine.
We followed a beautiful Passover Seder taken from Robert D. Heidler's book, The Messianic Church Arising.
For me, Passover is significant because it is a true story of how the Israelite homes were spared from death, simply by following the Lord's instructions.
Passover is a picture of our redemption from the slavery of sin and the inevitable consequence of spending eternity in hell.
Jesus became our Passover lamb. He was sinless, without blemish, innocent. He took our place. His blood flowed to purchase our salvation, and to provide for anyone who believes in the work He accomplished on the cross, a place in heaven for all eternity.
I could never really thank God enough for sending His Son Jesus to die in my place, that I may have a place in heaven forever.
Passover is the celebration of God's love and power
in delivering His people out of the hand of their enemy.
- Heidler
in delivering His people out of the hand of their enemy.
- Heidler
As we obey God's desire for us to observe the appointed feasts that He has outlined for us in the Old Testament, we are positioning ourselves for the blessings that follow our obedient acts.
Passover is an invitation for us keep the divine appointment, an opportunity to pause and take time to remember what God has done.
Passover is a time to rid our lives and homes of impurity and non-essentials. Let go of what defiles and weighs down.
Keeping Passover will not happen by chance. It has to be a deliberate choice.
God clearly says in Exodus 12:14 - This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.
I sincerely expect for spiritual breakthroughs to overtake us in the weeks and months ahead of us!
My Passover prayer:
Thank You Father for the significance of this appointed feast. I thank You that Jesus is my Passover Lamb, and I do ask You for a fresh release of your power and deliverance upon me and my family today.
Thank You that through Your Son's death, a way of escape was provided.
Having made the choice to follow You years ago, I have been set free from the bondage and slavery of sin.
Jesus has conquered the grave, and death has lost its sting and its power.
In the name of Jesus, I contend for the destiny of every member of my family!
I stand on my spiritual authority and push back the clouds of darkness over me and my whole family. I declare that all demonic assignments over us will not prosper. Our inheritance is secure, Your hedge of protection surrounds us.
I break free of old cycles that have hindered me from reaching new heights in You.
I push back unbelief, deception, and spiritual complacency.
I come against spiritual apathy, indifference, and pride.
Rather, let the humility of Jesus be the oil in our lamps, the guiding light in everything we do and say.
Let the fire of your love set our hearts ablaze, cause us to hunger and to thirst for You alone.
Thank You for the spiritual breakthroughs!
Our Passover, in pictures:
On April 18, after sundown, we gathered as a family to celebrate Passover 2011.
On April 18, after sundown, we gathered as a family to celebrate Passover 2011.
Here's God-Given lighting the Passover candles:
She prays:
"Thank You tonight for Jesus, our Savior and Messiah, who is the Light of the World."
The three pieces of unleavened bread wrapped in one napkin symbolize the unity of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The middle piece of matzo which represents Jesus, is broken. This is a symbol of His death.
One half of the matzo is wrapped in another napkin, and placed under a small pillow. This is a picture of the burial of Jesus. The matzo which is hidden under the pillow is called the Afikoman.
The invitation is then given by me, now that I have assumed the role of spiritual head of our family: "Let all who are hungry come and eat... For Jesus, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the feast.... 1 Corinthians 5:7-8.
Then Worshiper, the youngest adult present,
representing a young child, asked:
Why is this night different from all other nights?
What does this celebration mean?
I reply: It is a Passover to the Lord who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes... Exodus 12:24-27.
Then the rest of the family took turns in reading aloud portions of Exodus 12 which is the story of the Passover.
representing a young child, asked:
Why is this night different from all other nights?
What does this celebration mean?
I reply: It is a Passover to the Lord who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes... Exodus 12:24-27.
Then the rest of the family took turns in reading aloud portions of Exodus 12 which is the story of the Passover.
The bitter vegetables, made of chopped Romaine lettuce, radish, and bitter gourd.
As we eat the bitter herbs we remember the bitterness and misery of the life of the Israelites as slaves under cruel taskmasters in Egypt. For us, they also symbolize our existence before we came to know Jesus as our Savior, Redeemer and Lord.
The passover meal: the main dish is lamb, a picture of the Passover lamb sacrificed in Egypt, that Israel may be delivered from slavery.
Before eating the lamb, we took turns reading the instructions from Exodus 12 on the importance of the blood of the lamb that was to be painted on the doorposts and lintel of the door, a sign to the Angel of Death that he was to pass over any home where he sees the blood.
We thanked Jesus for the meaning of the lamb that we were about to eat. We thanked the Lord that Israel, and now we, were given a place of protection under the blood of the Lamb that was slain.
Our Passover Meal:
roasted lamb in curry gravy...
Mushroom soup... grilled lamb chops...sliced apples sprinkled with cinnamon powder...
lamb kebabs... salad greens and sliced cucumbers and carrots...
assorted sauces and dips... raisins and cashew nuts...
After the meal, we had communion. The Afikoman was taken from under the pillow, symbolizing the resurrection of Jesus. It was broken in pieces and each one of us ate a piece.
We also drank the "Cup of Redemption"...
Jesus said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me... 1 Corinthians 11:25.
At the end of the Passover meal, we all recited "The Hallel"... a hymn of praise and thanksgiving... a declaration of His power, His sovereignty, and Lordship over us.
We prayed a prayer of blessing over our family, over our nation, over Israel.
We prayed for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
- Psalm 122:6-9
We prayed a prayer of blessing over our family, over our nation, over Israel.
We prayed for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
- Psalm 122:6-9
10 comments:
being Jewish...we celebrated the Passover every year but it was only when I knew Him...did I know the amazing meaning of the seder. Really glad you guys got to experience the supper...the sympbolisms are amazing. Happy Passover Lidj...and Happy Easter too.
Thank you, Lidj, for a wonderfully meaningful description of your Passover experience. The ritual is beautiful. Your table is beautiful. And your family is beautiful.
I was thoroughly blessed reading your post today Lidj. I would love to learn more about these Jewish celebrations because they paint such a beautiful picture of Jesus. I think the church today is missing a big blessing in not participating in these. I have never attended one, but I would love to. Your post inspires...
Blessings,
Ken
Hi Lidj,
A couple of years ago my family celebrated passover with some friends that are Messianic Jews, what a treat! It took us over 3 hrs to eat dinner as each part of the meal was covered in prayer and a special reading. It was so special and fun walking in the footsteps that Jesus took before he was betrayed. Really meaningful.
Thanks for sharing this, I love it!
<><
How awesome!!! I would love to do this! Maybe next year.
Each year we have a gentleman come to our church and demonstrate the Passover seder. He is a Messianic Jew and it is so awesome to hear him tell of the Passover, yet weave Jesus all through out it. I think the entire thing can be seen on our church website.
Happy Passover, Lidj! Your Seder table was beautiful. Isn't it a wonderful blessing to experience with the family? We've been doing this for over 30 years. God has given us such a love for the feasts, the Jews and Israel.
Love,
Mary
Good morning, Lidj....Just wanted to make sure you know how much I appreciate your kind comments to me about Cindy and her talents. I have passed that along to her and it is most kind of you.
I also want you to know how impressed I am with your love of God and your beautiful family. I am so happy you are in my life.
Dear Lidj
May you and your loved ones be blessed this Easter weekend! May Christ’s message of eternal life fill you with love.
♥... In His Love, Kerrie
Hi Lidj, thank you so much for your very special comment on my blog. It made me feel good to know someone read my blog and the older posts, too. Your blog is fantastic and your writing is excellent.
I enjoyed this post about the Passover meal, we had one at our church to learn about the different foods and their significance. You have a beautiful family, too. As you probably read, we are in the middle of moving, I look forward to getting some quiet time and spend more time on your blog.
Thanks again,
Cindy Ellison
Hi Lidj -
What a pleasure to go on this Passover journey with you and your family.
I enjoyed the post content and the photos. It was heart warming and a precious read.
Your love for our Lord clearly shines through!
Thank you, Lidj.
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