The Passover (Student Topic)

            In class, we celebrated the Jewish Feast of Passover; this is the same feast where our Lord Jesus Christ dedicated the bread and wine as his body and blood. Passover is celebrated to recognize the Exodus of the Jews from captivity in Egypt under the arm of Pharaoh. I will be discussing all of the representations of each item in the feast. The first item is a roasted shank bone (Zeroah): this represents the Paschal sacrifice made at the temple before it was destroyed. The second item is the bitter herbs (Maror): this symbolizes the bitter trials which the Israelites went through in captivity. The third item is the roasted egg (Beitzah): this symbolizes the Haggigah which is the festival sacrifice. This was always brought to the temple in Jerusalem except on Pesach when the lamb was used. The fourth item is the Charoset: this is a sweet mixture, symbolizing the mortar the Israelites used building for Pharaoh. The fifth item is the Parsley (Karpas): this represents the renewal of all life by God. There are also four cups of wine: one at Kiddush, one following the recital of Hallel, one after Grace, and one at the conclusion of Seder. These represent the promises of redemption (bring forth, deliverance, redemption, taking by God). The next item is the salt water; it stands to remember the tears shed in Egypt. Many also take it to remember the Red Sea. Then there is the three Matzot, representing the divisions of the Jews: Kohen, Levi, and Yisrael. This ceremony was ultimately fulfilled by Jesus Christ who is the Passover Lamb promised to Israel. By faith in him as the Messiah, a man can enter into the forgiveness of sins and a relationship with God and his Son, Jesus Christ.