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Yeshua At Centre of Every Seder! There is much symbolism in the Seder (Passover Meal) and the Rabbis have carefully explained each part of the ceremony. Each part that is except a tradition at the very heart of every Seder for the last 2,000 years! Each year, since Yeshua’s death, every Jewish family has faithfully ensured that there are three pieces of Matzah (Unleavened Bread) on the table. The middle piece is broken by the host and hidden, to be eaten later as the Affikomen. The Rabbis have offered a number of explanations for this ceremony – yet each is careful to explain that the true reason is unknown. Much of our knowledge of 1st century Judaism comes from the New Testament and it is from there that we find the beginning of this ceremony of three pieces of Matzah. It seems that this ceremony was introduced by none other than Yeshua himself! Is it possible that they represent the baptismal formulae – “Father, Son & Holy Spirit”? The centre Matzah represents Yeshua himself – who was broken in death and hidden in the ground for three days & nights. This is confirmed by the very name given to this piece of Matzah, Affikomen – the only Greek word in the whole of the Haggadah (Order of Service for Seder). It means, “I came” and it was to this Affikomen that Yeshua referred when he said, “This is my body, which is for you.” Why Passover? The events Passover commemorate have become well known through films such as The Ten Commandments, Moses and, more recently, Prince of Egypt. All God’s people (of any age) are called upon to celebrate Passover as if they personally had experienced the miracle of the first Passover (cf. how to answer the children’s question in Ex.13:8). In Egypt Israel was a slave people – we all have experienced slavery to sin. The Israelites had to paint the blood of the first Passover Lamb on their doorposts, so that the judgement of death would pass over their households – we must have the blood of the true Passover Lamb, Yeshua, applied to our foreheads spiritually through repentance and faith, enabling us to also have no fear of death. Each family had to kill a lamb – we, individually, must know that Yeshua, the true Passover Lamb, has died that we might live. Yes! The Passover meal is as relevant to the present day believer as it ever was for those who had yet to see its fulfilment in Yeshua. |
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The Passover Yeshua Knew - 3 |
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“There is only one Greek word in the whole of the Haggadah – “Affikomen”. |
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“In Egypt Israel was a slave people – we have all experienced slavery to sin.” |
