SYMBOLS OF CHRIST IN THE PASSOVER

The Passover “Seder” is the “set order” of the Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of Passover. This observation of Passover includes a retelling of the story of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.

They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Numbers 9:11b

All of Israel was commanded to eat the Passover lamb along with matzos (unleavened bread) and bitter herbs. Today, Jewish families observe this commandment by having a Seder plate. The Passover Seder plate is a special plate containing symbolic foods used during the Passover Seder.

THE ITEMS ON THE SEDER PLATE

Since the destruction of the Second Temple, there have been a number of items that have been added to the commanded elements of lamb (“Zeroa” or lamb shankbone), unleavened bread (“Matzos”) and bitter herbs (“Maror”) that now comprise the traditional Seder plate.

Each of the items arranged on the plate has special significance to the retelling of the story of the Exodus from Egypt.

• The “Baytzah” is a hardboiled egg which is placed on the plate to symbolize the regular festival temple sacrifice.
• “Charoset” is a mixture of apples, nuts, wine and cinnamon or other spices to represent the mortar that the Hebrews used when they were slaves in Egypt.
• “Chazeret” meaning a bitter vegetable (lettuce or celery) is a reminder of the bitterness of the lives of the Hebrews in bondage.
• “Karpas” is a vegetable, parsley or potato, which is dipped in salt water to represent tears.

THE PESACH (PASCAL LAMB)

Although there have been additions, the centerpiece of the Seder plate remains the lamb shankbone. The commandments in regards to the preparation of the Pesach (Pascal lamb) are very specific:

That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire-head, legs and inner parts. Exodus 12:8-9

“It must be eaten in one house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones.” Exodus 12:46

The lamb was to be roasted and not eaten raw or boiled. None of the bones of the sacrificed Passover lamb were to be broken.

JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD

Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. John 19:31-34

The thigh bones of the two men who were crucified along with Jesus were broken. This was done in order to hasten their death. Unable to push up, they would soon die of suffocation. Jesus, having already died, was pierced in his side.

John the Baptist seeing Jesus approaching proclaimed, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29b). Jesus, the Lamb of God, was sacrificed and his bones were not broken, instead He had been pierced. In his death, Jesus fulfilled the messianic prophecies of Psalm 34:20 and Zechariah 12:10.

These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced." John 19:36-37

The Zeroa (an unbroken lamb shankbone), is a portrait of Jesus, the sacrificed Lamb of God.

THE UNLEAVENED BREAD FROM HEAVEN

At the beginning of the Seder (set order of the meal), there are three pieces of matzah that are presented in napkins or in a “Matzah Tosh” (matzah bag). The middle piece of matzah, the “afikomen” is broken. The largest piece is wrapped in a linen napkin and hidden. The children have an opportunity to search for the afikoman. At the end of the Seder, the person leading the service will offer a reward to the child who finds it. For the unsaved Jew, the hunt for the afikoman serves to keep the children involved and awake during the long service. But, if you have the spiritual eyes to see, there is a much more important significance to the hunt for the middle matzah.

For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. John 6:33-35

Not only is Yeshua (Jesus) the perfect lamb without blemish, He is also the unleavened (sinless) bread who came down from heaven. The three matzos are a picture of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. The second person of the Godhead is represented by the middle matzah (afikoman). The ritual of breaking the middle piece of unleavened bread and placing it into a linen napkin is symbolic of the body of Messiah being wrapped in a linen shroud.

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." Luke 22:19

Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. Luke 23:50-53

THE SINLESS SACRIFICE

Jesus instituted the New Covenant in His own blood at the Passover. When He took bread and broke it, it was unleavened bread. In the much the same way that the other elements of the Passover symbolized historical events related to the Exodus, the breaking of the unleavened bread symbolized the immediate future bruising of His body. The ceremony of hiding a broken piece of matzah in a linen napkin and then recovering it at the end of the meal is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

Not only did the religious leaders fail in their plot to cause Jesus to stumble but Jesus was declared free from guilt by Pilate who washed his hands and said, “I am innocent of this man's blood” (Matthew 27:24). Even his betrayer Judas said, “I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation (John 11:50-51). The sinless Paschal Lamb was indeed slaughtered for sacrifice by the whole nation.

As a Jewish believer in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Son of God and Messiah (Christ), I am sharing my understanding of the natural and spiritual fulfillments that are foreshadowed in the Festivals of Yehovah in a series of posts. If you missed either of my first two posts, please use the links below:

WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS STUDY THE FESTIVALS OF THE LORD?
https://steemit.com/christianity/@lastdays/why-should-christians-study-the-festivals-of-the-lord

JESUS IS THE PASSOVER LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH
https://steemit.com/christianity/@lastdays/jesus-is-the-passover-lamb-without-blemish