THE PASSOVER

INTRO: This year the Jews will observe Passover beginning on April 1. It is an 8 day celebration, a mixture of Biblical and non-Biblical customs. They begin with the Sedar meal. At this supper, the Haggadah is read (the story of Exodus with Talmudic additions). A roasted egg is eaten to recall the ancient temple offerings. Haroset, made from apples, nuts and wine is eate, and represents mortar used to build Pharoah's cities. a candle light search for leaven in the house comes next. Then a pillow to lean on at supper to signify freedom from slavery, and the good life. The Jews consider Passover to be "A reminder of man's struggle for liberty." The men wear their skullcaps, called yarmulkahs.

We are now in the Christian season of Lent, and are looking forward to Easter. The original Old Testament Passover was designed by God to point to Jesus, the coming Messiah, and so there is much we can learn from Passover about the death of Christ, and our salvation in Him. Please join me in Exodus 12, as we see how it teaches us about our Lord:

I. The first Passover meant the beginning of a new life (Ex. 12:1-2, and see
2 Cor. 5:17). Have we all experience the new birth?

II. The first Passover was a family matter (Ex. 12:3-4).
A. The whole family ate, traveled, worked and worshipped together.
B. Our families are "covenant families," and our children usually
receive Christ as Savior.
C. The Church is the family of God, and we are brothers and sisters.

III. The first Passover required a perfect lamb (Exodus 12:5).
A. They KNEW lambs, and had to give God their best.
B. Jesus was God's perfect lamb (I Peter 1:18-20).
C. God gave us His best. Have we given God our best?

IV. The first Passover featured blood that saved from
death (Ex. 12:6-7, 12-13).
A. The angel of death "passed over."
B. We are saved by Jesus' blood over us.

V. The first Passover was to be repeated yearly (Ex. 12:14).
A. Jesus celebrated Passover.
B. The Jews of today still keep Passover.
C. We also repeat the Lord's Supper often, for Jesus is our Passover
lamb. We must do this in order to "remember."

CONCL: This is the Easter season. We are looking forward to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Sunrise service and so on. May the Lord help us to understand and remember that Jesus is our Passover Lamb, our Savior from death.