On the 15th of our month of March, the Jewish calendar marks the beginning of the New Year for Israel (5770) as stated in Exodus 12:1-2: “And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.” Months were simply called by their number placement until after the Babylonian exile. This month is now called Nisan.

According to the rest of the passage, God instructs the Israelites to observe the 15th day (beginning on the eve of the 14th) as the beginning of Pesach, or Passover, to be kept for a week, until the eve of the 21st day of the month.

After instructing the Israelites to kill a lamb and place the blood on the doorposts, they were to roast it with fire and eat it in a hurry with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Today, the Passover feast has, as its centerpiece, the Seder, consisting of these components: 

1. Zeroah: a shank of lamb--symbolizing the Passover lamb

2. Karpas: parsley or celery dipped in salt water--symbolizing the tears of the Israelites

3. Beitzah: boiled or roasted egg—symbolizing mourning that they can no longer bring a sacrifice to the Temple.

4. Charoset: a mixture of wine, raisins, apples, honey, nuts and spices, all mentioned in the Song of Solomon—symbolizing the mortar the Hebrews made for the Egyptian bricks.

5. Maror: bitter herbs like horseradish or romaine lettuce—symbolizing the harshness of slavery--a second set is called Chazeret.

6. Matzo: three flat pieces of unleavened bread—symbolizing the bread eaten in haste by the Hebrews fleeing from Egypt.

If you research Pesach, you will find some interesting practices observed during this Feast. I’m going to mention a couple to show the meaning and relationship to Messiah that is overlooked by religious Jews, because their hearts are yet blinded to the fact that Yeshua fulfilled Pesach in all aspects! He kept the Passover meal with his disciples at the Last Supper and revealed Himself as the Passover Lamb.  As believers in Yeshua-Jesus, the Son of God, these little details, though hidden from their understanding, are abundantly clear to us.

One practice concerns leavening. Not only is the matzo bread supposed to be unleavened, but all forms of leavening are to be cleansed from the home, including utensils that might have come in contact with it. Leaven puffs up and symbolizes arrogance and pride--the true definition of sin. How ironic that performing this act has yet to open their eyes to the Truth.

As Messianic Believers, we need to keep one thing in mind about the modern-day Seder. It was not instituted until hundreds of years after Jesus’ death. The original commandment by God was to observe the Passover with a sacrificed Lamb, with unleavened bread, and with bitter herbs. That said I find it very interesting that we can find symbolic meaning in what is observed today.
There are three pieces of matzo. To the Jews, they symbolize one of the following:

1.    The three measures of fine meal from which Sarah baked cakes for the three angelic visitors in Genesis 18:6
2.    The three categories of Jews--Kohen, Levi, and Yisrael—that make up the Jewish people,
3.    The three patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

I can clearly see the Trinity represented here! Also, the machines, which pull the matzo dough through to flatten it, leave stripes on it, and it is pierced before it is baked. Need I elaborate?  Isaiah 53!

At the Seder meal, the three pieces of matzo are placed one on top of another, and at the beginning of the meal, the middle one is removed and broken into two pieces. One is set aside and the other is wrapped in a napkin and placed back on the plate, to be brought out later for dessert. Again, I’ll let you form an analogy!

I think it’s clear that God is in the midst of His people, and still they do not see Him. My hope and prayer is that Christians will delve into the true meaning of Easter, and not be blinded, as are the Jews of today. Take time to consider how our Lord and Savior fulfilled Old Testament prophesy as you read the Scriptures, and let’s praise the Risen Lamb, who takes away the sin of the world! Chag Ha- Matzot!

Mid Stutsman
		About the author:
		Mid Stutsman has had a heart for Israel from the time she received her first Bible at age 10 and encountered Yeshua-Jesus. God’s love rescued her during a turbulent time in her life as a rebellious young adult, and since then she has endeavored to serve Him with her heart and gifts. She is a wife of 32 years, a mother of 12, and a Nana of 10 darlings.  Mid and her husband, Fred, reside in Northern Indiana on their 85-acre heritage farm. A love of nature is reflected in her artwork, and a passion for inspirational writing is revealed in her poetry, short stories and novels, showcased on her website: http://midspoint.com