ישוע המשיח הוא מושיע העולם, ובמיוחד של העם היהודי

Yeshua Hamesich hu mushia ha'olam, vebamiyuchad shel ha'am heihudi

This is a repost of something from many years ago. I wrote on it several years back, so please pray and be a Berean.  I put together this note from several sources. I tried to put my thoughts on my first Passover Seder in italics but do not have all the original sources so I am not trying to pass off all of the information as my own. We have freedom to celebrate or enjoy the feasts (or not). I have been blessed to be a part of a Passover Seder celebration and have been to a couple more since.  I was touched and blessed by it, but Christ is my Passover.

If you don’t have much time, please at least search this article for the afikomen, the ceremonial washing of the hands and the Easter Egg and read those portions.

PROVE ALL THINGS!  HOLD FAST TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD!  May you be blessed as you prayerfully consider the implications of how many ways He shows Himself to all of us if we will observe. Search (like the children in the Seder looking for that Matzah) for that bread from heaven, the Passover Lamb.  Think on the Jews who are still looking for their Messiah.  But see all the ways the Messiah shows Himself even in the somewhat secular/religious Seder. This note is taken from several sources, and my experience while at the Seder.  The sources I remember I will try to note at the very bottom.  Some of the Scripture I added, some they had already in here.

On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise” (1 Cor 15:3-4). Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”   Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.”  So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.  Matt 27:62-66

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”   Matt 28:5-7

Passover 

Passover is a one-day feast (holiday) that God actually commanded to be observed as a memorial forever by Israel (Exodus 12:14).

Jesus the Messiah celebrated the Seder (means ORDER) with His disciples, one of the fulfillments on the Feasts of Israel which transpired at His first coming. 

Think on that as you read.

If you prefer videos you may like to listen to these videos by Dr. Lindstrom:

THE MEANING OF PASSOVER PT. 1 – Dr. Ralph Lindstrom

THE MEANING OF PASSOVER PT. 2 – Dr. Ralph Lindstrom

The removal of leaven

Before the beginning of the Passover, all leaven, which is a symbol of sin (1 Cor. 5:6-8), must be removed from the Jewish home. The search begins and the house is cleaned from top to bottom. Anything containing leaven is removed. At my first Passover Seder, instantly I thought of Psalm 139:23-24 …Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

The evening before the Passover, the father of the house takes the traditional cleaning implements:(I am just adding some thoughts that came to mind — again, not dogmatic, just sharing how so many things can point to Christ)

• a feather (Not mentioned in Scripture, but my thoughts go to Ex 19:4– Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself). Instructions for removing leaven found in Exodus 12:15-19
• a wooden spoon – the bedikat chametz, the spoon is used to collect the leaven that was found. Made of wood so it can be burned. (I think on the cross and the sacrifice being burning outside tthe camp, and Jesus referenced as the same in Heb 13:11-12),
• and a bag, and searches the house (with lit candles – the Light of the World) for any specks of leaven which might have been missed. (collected into the bag and burned the next day)

The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. Proverbs 20:27

(Removing Chametz – We will NEVER be able to remove sin on our own, or have any power over sin in our lives without the Lord, His Sacrifice, and as believers — His Word which sanctifies/cleanses us). Many people think they can take care of sin in their lives by ‘repenting from sin’ (this is not the definition of repent). Jesus is the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). And He will appear a second time to remove the sin of Israel (Romans 11:25-27). Leaven for the believer, also symbolizes false teaching.

If you don’t know about how you can be saved forever, are unsure, or want to share with another, please read here at this link.

Ceremonial washing of the hands in the Seder

Once the leaven is removed, the family sits around the table and ceremonially washes their hands with a special laver and towel. Jesus also took part in this tradition, but rather than wash his hands, he got up from the table and washed the feet of his disciples, giving us an unparalleled lesson in humility (John 13:2-17). (And a picture of practical sanctification. One we can also help other believers with).

(I love that account in John 13.  Once again, only He can clean us up, both ways as they were already clean (except Judas).  Jesus humbled Himself, and served them and was to humble Himself as the prophesied Suffering Servant soon on the cross).  Peter did not want Jesus to see the filth, as is our human nature, but we must realize He will have no part (fellowship) with us if we don’t….

He made their feet beautiful, and told them to do the same to others — feed/tend His sheep (John 21:15-17).  We are all made ministers of reconciliation.  May we bring the gospel wherever we go. Isaiah 52:7; Rom 10:15  (And may we help point others to His Word and trust the power of it to work, vs. beating them over the head with our own words or interpretations of His.)

Lighting the candles at the Seder

Once the house and the participants are ceremonially clean, the Passover Seder can begin. The woman of the house says a blessing and lights the Passover candles. It is appropriate that the woman brings light into the home, because it was through the woman that the Light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5), Messiah Jesus, came into the world (Gen. 3:15).

Haggadah (“the telling”) – recounts the story of Passover.

The story is told in response to four questions (or 3, depends on which version) asked by the children.  According to Wikipedia, in the Jerusalem account, the three questions are; why foods are dipped twice as opposed to once, why matzoh is eaten, and why the meat sacrifice is eaten exclusively roasted (I can’t help but think of the childlike faith we must have to enter His kingdom). 

Why is this night different from all other nights? The father proceeds to tell the story of the Exodus from Egypt, reading from a book called “The Haggadah” and using symbols and object lessons in order to keep the attention of the little ones.  

JESUS TOOK THESE FOUR CUPS UPON HIM  

THE FOUR CUPS OF PASSOVER

Each of the Four Cups of Passover stands for one of the four “I WILLS” of Exodus 6:6-7:

• Sanctification: “I WILL bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
• Judgment or Deliverance: “I WILL rescue you from their bondage.”
• Redemption: “I WILL redeem you with an outstretched arm.”
• Restoration and/or Praise: “I WILL take you as My people.”

IF YOU ARE NOT CRYING RIGHT NOW, (always moves me), APPLY EACH VERSE TO YOURSELF (which is not a suggestion of replacement theology). Just that He has done the same for us. Delivered from slavery and sanctified from His one sacrifice (Heb 10:10-14). Delivered from the bondage of sin, judgment and death. When we believe, we are washed and redeemed, and made His child (Rev 1:5; Gal 3:13,4:5; John 1:12).  

The first cup of wine of Passover

The red color of the fruit of the vine reminds us of the blood of the lamb, which was applied to the doorposts and lintels of Jewish homes to avert the terrible judgment of the Lord upon the wickedness of Egypt.

The Seder begins with a blessing recited over the first of four cups of wine: “Blessed art thou, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who hast created the fruit of the vine.” Jesus himself blessed the first cup in Luke 22:17-18. And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

The second cup of wine of Passover

The second cup is to remind us (Israel) of the Ten Plagues and the suffering of the Egyptians when they hardened their heart to the Lord. In order not to rejoice over the suffering of our enemies (Prov. 24:17), we spill a drop of wine (which is a symbol of joy) as we recite each of the Ten Plagues, thus remembering that our joy is diminished at the suffering of others.

Symbolism in the matzoh of Passover

THE MEANING OF AFIKOMEN

A very curious tradition now takes place. At the table is a bag with three compartments and three pieces of matzo (matzah). The middle piece of motza is taken out, broken, and half is put back into the bag… The other half is wrapped in a linen napkin and hidden, to be taken out later, after the meal. 

(From here, all sorts of thoughts swirled through my head with an immense amount of symbolism from Scripture. I had to continue the study, this is what I found).

THE PASSOVER SEDER DINNER SYBOLISM

The Seder dinner is highly symbolic (at least to me) through the foods that are served, prayers that are offered, stories that are told and blessings and praises offered up to God. And I wondered how they cannot ‘see’, although I realize right now they are partially blinded, in a spirit of slumber.

Roasted Lamb shank, partially representing the innocent lamb that was sacrificed the night of the Passover [so that its blood could be put on the door posts and lintel of the home as a sign for the angel of death to pass by or over the home]. A roasted egg (Beitzah) is a reminder the lamb was to be roasted whole. I also think back to the first sacrifice for sin, which God provided as He covered Adam and Eve with skins.  Who made that first sacrifice and who was the Final offering for sin?  

Matzah (unleavened bread), which symbolizes the purity of the sacrificial lamb (but there’s more).

Bitter herbs which are served as a reminder of the suffering of the lamb.  (They dip them too symbolizing salty tears I was told at the dinner.)

AGAIN ARE YOU CRYING YET?… (I sure did)

At a certain point during the dinner the leader of the Seder picks up a linen bag from the table which contains three pieces of matzah (TRINITY instantly came to my mind – spoke VOLUMES to me. I am not saying they see it that way of course, but I sure did).  

The leader then removes the second or middle matzah and breaks it in half.  (The FATHER generally does this. Think on the Father and Jesus as He is held up (lifted up) on that cross. As they were explaining that, my tears were flowing).

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.  John 12:32

Half is placed back into the bag and the other half is carefully wrapped in a linen napkin and then hidden someplace in the home.

(Remind you of the tomb? The piece that is hidden is known as the ‘afikomen’ and reappears later in the service.  Doesn’t that symbolize the resurrection so well?)

After the meal, the children are sent out to find the hidden afikomen. The child who finds it receives a reward. (I also think on the women going to the tomb, and finding it empty but their Savior alive).

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. Luke 10:21

Rabbinic law then requires that a small piece of the retrieved afikomen be eaten by everyone present at the service as a reminder of the Passover Lamb.  (Remind anyone of communion? TEARS YET?)

Who/what do the three matzahs/matzos represent in the Passover

Since the entire Passover service is woven with rich symbolism, it must be asked: “Why three matzahs?”

One rabbinic tradition holds that they represent the three groups of Jewish people: the priests, the Levites, and the Israelites.

Another tradition holds that they represent the three patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  However, there is no biblical basis for either of these explanations and neither fit the symbolism behind this breaking of the bread ceremony.  Rabbinic tradition is at a loss to explain why the middle matzah must be broken.  Why must the Levites be broken and not the other groups?  Or, why must Isaac be broken and not Abraham nor Jacob?  Rabbinic tradition is silent on this important issue.

In reality, the triunity of the Godhead is being symbolized – three persons within the oneness of God, just as three matzahs are in the oneness of the linen bag.  The second person of the Godhead, the Son, came to Earth as the Messiah.  He was broken (died), wrapped in linen, and hidden away (buried). At first glance, this assertion may appear to be a fanciful attempt to Christianize the Jewish Passover, but the evidence overwhelmingly argues to the contrary.

• First, the afikomen was not present in the day of Jesus.  It was a later addition to the Passover celebration.  The last solid food taken in that day was the lamb at the dinner.  Rabbinic tradition holds that the afikomen now represents the lamb, and therefore everyone must eat of it. (Hmmm… our Passover lamb).

• Second, there is much debate among rabbis concerning the meaning of the word afikomen.  The problem is compounded since afikomen does not exist in the Hebrew language.  It is just not there!  Rabbinic consensus usually explains that it means dessert since it is eaten after the meal when a dessert would normally be eaten.

WHAT DOES AFIKOMEN MEAN?

Amazingly, afikomen is the only Greek word (the common language of Jesus’ day) in the Passover Seder.  Everything else is Hebrew.  It is the second aorist form (completion of an action, without reference to length of action) of the Greek verb “ikneomai.”  The translation is electrifying.

• The word simply means – ‘HE CAME’, or “He who is coming.”
• (Jewish tradition says this is regarding Elijah)

Many traditions have developed around the afikomen.  Moroccan Jews save a piece of the afikomen for use when traveling at sea throughout the year.  They believe that if a piece of the afikomen is tossed into the stormy waves, it will STILL THE WATERS…. (Hallelujah again, Lord open their eyes!)  It is easy to see the origin of this tradition as Jesus spoke and calmed the stormy Sea of Galilee. It must be asked, “How could the afikomen, (if it speaks of Jesus), make its way into the Jewish Passover when the majority of Jewish people today do not accept Jesus as the Messiah?”  The situation in the first century must be examined to shed light on this question. Jewish believers had already broken away from the sacrificial system, believing that the Messiah had made a once-and-for-all sacrifice upon the cross.  They were already celebrating Passover without the lamb, choosing to incorporate the broken matzah (afikomen) into the service at the precise point at which the Lord had said, “This do in remembrance of me.”  It is not difficult to imagine this tradition being borrowed by others seeking to switch to a lambless Passover without their even realizing the full significance behind the ceremony. Ultimately, Passover foreshadowed the Jewish Messiah as the true Passover Lamb.  The Hebrew prophet Isaiah spoke of the Messiah in terms of the Passover Lamb and of the greater redemption that He would bring (Isaiah 53).  He would be the innocent, pure Lamb upon whom the judgment of God would fall in place of the people.  He would be the One who, with great bitterness of suffering and death, would shed His blood to provide the greater deliverance from sin. How tragic that in millions of Jewish homes today the most obscure ceremony in the Passover (the afikomen) is the one that gives it its greatest and most powerful meaning.  The afikomen (the ‘He came’) is an annual reminder that the Messiah, the true Passover Lamb, has already come!! And so, year after year, the small voices of children drift through the night: “Why is this night different?” And the testimony of the afikomen echoes back in reply… 

“He came…”

THE TRUE PASSOVER LAMB

For it was on this holiday that the true Passover Lamb was crucified, buried, and on the third day rose again to provide the greater redemption, the eternal deliverance from sin. It is only in Yeshua (Jesus) that the Passover message finds its fullness. The Lamb still cannot be separated from the holiday.

There is no question that Jesus is the Passover Lamb. Scripture records it, history echoes it. Yet, one final Passover question remains, and it is the most important of all: “Is Jesus your Passover Lamb? Have you placed your trust in the Messiah and His sacrifice as your only hope of Heaven?”  

Even as the ancient Israelite was required to individually apply the blood to his door, so, too, today men and women must individually make a decision (by believing) concerning the Lamb of God. There is still no deliverance or forgiveness of sin without faith in the shed blood of the Lamb.

The Passover Seder Plate

The rabbis have devised a series of object lessons to keep the attention of the little ones during the Passover seder. These items are tasted by each person, as each is instructed to feel as if they themselves had taken part in the flight from Egypt.

Karpas – greens

The first item taken is the karpas, or greens (usually parsley), which is a symbol of life. The parsley is dipped in salt water, a symbol of tears, and eaten, to remind us that life for our ancestors was immersed in tears.

These verses come to mind regarding the karpas or greens in the Seder:

• Ex. 12:22 – And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
• Ps 51:17 – The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise) I even think on the hyssop that the sour wine was lifted up to Jesus on the cross…

Beitzah – (roasted egg) or the Easter Egg?

A roasted egg on the seder plate is partly to bring to mind the roasted daily temple sacrifice that no longer can be offered. We know this is because the temple no longer stands. The lamb was to be roasted whole, and the shank bone is only a partial representation of the Paschal Lamb that was. In the very midst of the Passover Seder, the Jewish people are reminded that they have no sacrifice to make them righteous before God. But our sacrifice, the Lamb of God, has already been sacrificed for us. 

(The Easter Egg: I wondered if there was any tie to where we came up with Easter eggs other than the pagan meanings of fertility. When I went to my first Seder, sudddenly I wondered, did they somehow have their roots in this roasted egg? 

A little research shows that some do feel part of how we learned to celebrate came from the Passover celebration. The children hunting for the afikomen. The Easter egg as a symbol of new life as well as the memorial of the roasted temple sacrifice of the Lamb. The stone rolling away, unbroken leg bone. The children hunting for the hidden priestly bread wrapped in a linen napkin. The Greens that the egg is tucked next to.

I looked up the roasted egg and found the pressure for roasting it caused what looked like droplets of blood — thoughts I pondered).

No bones were broken on Passover Lambs.  (Exodus 12:46).  (For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.)

This was prophesied and fulfilled in Christ: Ps 34:19-20; John 19:31-36). 1 Pet 17-20 describes Jesus as a Lamb without blemish or spot, the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world (Jn 1:29).

Tell me if the picture of a roasted egg makes you think of the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus sweated droplets of blood in His agony. I searched for this picture curious what a roasted egg of Passover looked like, and found a man who had tried to roast an egg the proper way (generally they just dye with tea, it’s easier), and this again, made me cry. We probably assimilated their dying of the egg into our celebrations (or Easter Eggs).  

The Lamb shank is in the background. Is that a reminder that not a bone was broken?

Maror – bitter herb in the Seder

This is usually ground horseradish, and enough is eaten (with Motza) to bring a tear to the eyes. We cannot appreciate the sweetness of redemption unless we first experience for ourselves the bitterness of slavery.  (reminds me of this passage)

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  John 8:31-36

Charoset in the Seder

Charoset is a sweet mixture of chopped apples, chopped nuts, honey, cinnamon, and a little Manischewitz grape wine (kosher for Passover) just for color! This sweet, pasty, brown mixture is symbolic of the mortar that our ancestors used to build bricks in the land of Egypt. Why do we remember an experience so bitter with something so sweet? The rabbis often teach in the Passover that: “even the bitterest of labor can be sweet when our redemption draws nigh.” Does it occur to them that this is a New Testament Passage? Often misused by Christians, it speaks to the Lord’s second coming for believing Israel (see Lk 21:5-28). Believers find sweetness even in the bitterest of experiences because we know our Lord’s coming for us to gather us to Him in the clouds is near.

What does the Shankbone of the Lamb represent in the Seder?

In every Jewish home, on every seder plate, is a bare shankbone of a lamb. In the book of Exodus, Jewish firstborns were spared from the Angel of Death by applying the blood of a spotless, innocent lamb applied to the doorpost of their homes as God brought the people from slavery into freedom. Today, we believe Jesus is that perfect Passover Lamb, and when we apply His blood to the doorposts of our heart, we too go from death into life, from slavery to sin into the freedom of being a redeemed child of God. As John the Baptist said when he saw Jesus coming towards him, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

The Meal

The most memorable part of the Passover… the meal… can you smell it? (skipping this because most have replaced with brisket etc.)

The Search for the Afikomen (This was the most memorable to me)

After the meal is finished, the leader of the seder lets the children loose to hunt for the Afikomen, which was wrapped in a napkin and hidden before the meal. The house is in a ruckus as everyone rushes around to be the first to find the Afikomen and claim the prize as grandpa redeems it from the lucky locator.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.  1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14

Once the leader has retrieved the Afikomen, he breaks it up into pieces and distributes a small piece to everyone seated around the table. Jewish people don’t really understand this tradition, but traditions don’t need to be understood – just followed! However, it is widely believed that these pieces of Afikomen bring a good, long life to those who eat them.  (THEY BELIEVE THAT IT BRINGS LONG LIFE TO THOSE WHO EAT THEM, NOW IF THEY WOULD JUST EAT THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN)

The tradition perhaps dates back to the time of Jesus. If this is the case, then Luke 22:19 takes on a greater meaning:

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'”

For Jesus the Messiah would have taken the middle one of the three pieces of matzo (matzah), the piece that stood for the priest or mediator between God and the people. The bread (the Bread from Heaven-John 6)would broken just as Yeshua’s body would be broken, wrapped in a linen napkin (as he would be wrapped in linen for burial). The bread hidden (as he would be buried). They would bring it back (as he would be resurrected). And then distributed to everyone seated with him, (as He would give His life to all who believe on Him). As Jesus did this in the Passover Supper with His disciples, He would be conscious that this middle piece of motza represented His own, spotless body given for the redemption of His people. As the matzo is striped and pierced, His own body would be covered with stripes and later pierced — and it is by those wounds that we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).

(Comment from my friend Marian Winans: I had a chance to go to a JEWS FOR JESUS (also do not recommend) presentation of the Seder over 15 yrs ago, & I remember this part SO VIVIDLY. Also, another part that got me the most was how even in the preparing of the Matzoh there is to be 39 burn marks on it. Little do those who prepare it know that this serves as a reminder to us of His beatings at His trial. Therefore, those stripes on the Matzoh remind us of the 39 stripes He bore for our healing.  AND the holes in the Matzoh remind us of the thorns and nails He suffered for our redemption.)

This middle piece of motza, (matzoh or matza) or the Afikomen, is also representative of our communion bread in the Lord’s supper.

Third Cup of Wine in the Passover Seder

The third cup of wine is taken after the meal. It is the cup of redemption, which reminds us of the shed blood of the innocent Lamb which brought our redemption from Egypt. We see that Jesus took the third cup in Luke 22:20 and 1 Corinthians 11:25, “In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'” This was not just any cup, it was the cup of redemption from slavery into freedom. This is our communion cup.

Fourth Cup of wine in the Passover Seder

The fourth cup is the Cup of Hallel (or Cup of Praise). Hallel in Hebrew means “praise,” and we see in the beautiful High Priestly Prayer of John 17, that Jesus took time to praise and thank the Lord at the end of the Passover Seder, his last supper. The spotless Passover Lamb had praise on his lips as he went to his death. (These are my thoughts as I researched and found different thoughts on the significance of the fourth cup).

Looking for Elijah I found the announcing of the birth of John the Baptist at the “hour of incense” which was the priests offering – the prayer – at the ninth hour. The High priest who would offer up the sin offering, would say “It is finished”. This was at the same time that Jesus, who became our sin offering said those same words and the veil in the temple was rent from top to bottom. (See Matt 24 & John 19). There are some that surmise what He was facing is the 4th cup He prayed in the garden to have taken from Him. Perhaps it is just metaphorical (as the meaning says for the word) of the bad experience He faced. Others say when He received the sour wine or vinegar and said, “It is finished!”, that this was the fourth cup. But the Scriptures say He would not drink of the fruit of the vine again until He was in heaven so was it?. And bowing His head (the hour of prayer comes to mind) He gave up His spirit… 

Hebrews 12:2 says that for the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross. I believe that is the Cup of Praise Jesus was intent of fulfilling. From a human standpoint, the pain and suffering would have been hard to face. The idea of the world’s sin being laid upon Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb of God, would have been horrific for one who had known no sin (Isaiah 53:6,11).Hebrews 2:9 says He tasted death on the cross for every person and was crowned with Glory and Honor. On the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24), Jesus Himself said, “ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” Jesus told His disciples many times beforehand what He was going to do, Peter was the one that did not want that happening. 

Elijah’s Cup in the Passover Seder 

A place setting remains empty for Elijah the prophet, the honored guest at every Passover table. The Jewish people expect Elijah to come at Passover and announce the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5). So a place is set, a cup is filled with wine, and hearts are expectant for Elijah to come and announce the Good News. At the end of the seder meal, a child is sent to the door to open it and see if Elijah is there. Every year, the child returns, disappointed, and the wine is poured out without being touched.

The Jews wait and hope for Messiah –they do not realize that Messiah has already come. But those of us who believe in Yeshua know that He is the one the prophets spoke of. He is the spotless, unblemished Passover Lamb, whose body was broken for us, whose blood was shed, and who now lives to distribute His life to all of us who apply His blood to the doorpost of our hearts and have passed from death into His eternal life.

• • • Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.  And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.  For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.  And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.  He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”  Luke 1:11-17

HE CAME!  AND HE’S COMING AGAIN!

DO YOU KNOW HIM?!!!  HERE’S HOW.

Sources:

Disclaimer: I am not recommending nor noting, any of the doctrine of the sites I mention.  I simply gained information (much of it secular) as to how I see the Word in this tradition speaking to the Jews, crying out to them….

Some was taken partially from Chosen People Ministries and also from the book, “The Feasts of the Lord” written by Kevin Howard and Marvin Rosenthal. Some additional information was gleaned from other sites such as hebrew4christians.com and Wikipedia, (none of which I am recommending as doctrinal sources). Some from Hank Lindstrom, and some from my own searches and ponderings on things such as the roasted eggs. I compiled this, do not claim to be the author, as unless spoken in the first person, much was not from me.