PASSOVER REMEMBRANCES

PASSOVER REMEMBRANCES

Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place (Ex. 13:3).

“Freedom!”  That is what a Jewish woman, a non-believer, shouted during a Passover Seder two years ago when I asked for one word that sums up Passover. 

Why am I sharing Passover with you now?  This first feast on the Jewish religious calendar (Lev. 23:5; Ex. 12) will not commence until sundown on Friday, 3/30.  The way time zooms, it’s nearly upon us! AND, I want to invite you to our annual Messianic Passover Seder at Scottsdale Bible Church on March 29th.  (Details at the end of this blog) 

So, on to past Passovers to whet your appetite regarding attending our Seder.  Each feast affords a front row seat to witness how God has connected the dots between a specific Jewish holiday and its fulfillment in Jesus.  The feast of Passover was fulfilled at Jesus’ crucifixion! 

In 2017, our annual Messianic Passover Seder at Scottsdale Bible Church accommodated over 300 people including Jewish non-believers.  Of course Jews and Gentiles would come together at this feast…what the Church knows as the “Last Supper” was a Passover Seder.  Jesus was crucified on the feast of Passover.  He rose from the dead on the Jewish feast of Firstfruits in Passover week.  Sara, four months old in the Lord, joined me at our Resurrection Sunday celebration last year, never before having stepped into a church!  My friend who has been observant within her Judaism, was truly delighted to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and shared with many she met that day that Jesus is the perfect Passover Lamb!

A large crowd gathered for the Passover Seder at a church in the Phoenix metro area days prior to “Resurrection Sunday” three years ago.  After I lit the candles and recited the first blessing, Bob, my husband, rushed up to the head table to put out the two inch flame that had shot up, ignited by the smoldering match that lit the napkin on my plate!  We were off to a lively start!  The audience was truly alert throughout!

On the Thursday prior to “Resurrection Sunday” two years ago, my friend, Herb, a Jewish believer, was accompanied by his family to a Passover Seder along with his mother, Gilda.  I’ve known Gilda for several years as she’s attended Bible studies I’ve taught.  We had been praying for Gilda’s salvation.  As the Seder began, Herb prayed, “God could this be the night that mom places her trust in You?”  Following the Seder, Herb asked his mother, “If I ask Cathy to pray with you to acknowledge Jesus as Messiah, will you pray with her?”  Gilda responded, “Yes.”  Gilda prayed.  The family and I rejoiced.  The celebrating continues.  Gilda is currently studying the book of Revelation with me and approximately 100 women.

In 2015, God brought 338 people to our annual Passover Seder!  Many Jewish non-believers attended.  Prior to the outreach, I prayed that those who gathered would SEE JESUS!  Following the Seder, a Jewish woman, not a believer, took me aside to inform me of her frustrations with the Seder.  “Jesus,” she told me, “would not have conducted such a Seder.”  From the Hebrew Scriptures, I shared the profile of the Messiah and what He came to do for both Jew and Gentile.  While disagreeing with me, she continued to talk about Jesus!  A Jewish doctor who does not yet know Jesus, broke into our dialogue and spoke of Jesus to this woman!  An Israeli Jewish family attended and were positively riveted on Jesus that evening!

Several years ago Irma and Harold were invited to a Seder that I presented at a church on the west side of Phoenix.  Harold is a Holocaust survivor.  Irma and Harold are close friends of the Pastor and his family who hosted the celebration.  Upon their arrival at the church, Harold began instructing me regarding how I should go about presenting the Seder.  I listened.  Both Irma and Harold recited the Seder blessings and shared a comment or two during the evening.  Harold was absolutely fixated on the telling of God’s deliverance at the first Passover and how it so gloriously points to Jesus.   During dinner, Irma and I visited.  “I never before met a missionary.  I love you.  I’m going to tell my Rabbi about you.”  As I smiled, my prayer to God ended with exclamation points…“Oh, please, don’t let her Rabbi hear the word ‘missionary’”!!!!  When Irma and Harold left that evening, Harold continued to proclaim, “That was the best Seder I’ve ever attended.”   Irma and Harold have attended other “outreach” services.  Irma came to faith in Jesus at one of our “Chanukah/Christmas Celebrations.”  Harold declared at our last Passover Seder together, “I believe in everything Cathy teaches.”   Irma went home to be with the Lord several months ago.  I recently visited with Harold on the phone.  And, I’m communicating with our mutual Pastor friend about scheduling another Seder.  We’ll be asking Harold to participate.

The Jewish woman who yelled “Freedom” at the Seder she attended…you need to know that Seder was conducted among ALL Jewish non-believers!  The Activities Director from a local retirement center where I was teaching a Bible study contacted me requesting a Passover Seder for the Jewish residents and their families.  “I don’t think your Jewish residents will be enamored with me, a Gentile, conducting the Seder,” I replied.  The Activities Director was desperate.  And so, two friends who assisted me with the Bible study at this center joined me at the Seder.  The Jewish residents and their family members attended, including Judith who had recently yelled at me for teaching the Bible study!  We soon discovered that several family members attend an ultra-Orthodox synagogue.  As we greeted the people, one man blurted out, “Where’s the Rabbi?”  He then announced, "This looks like our Seder last year when three women talked about the Messiah and tried to convert us."  Judith made it known to all that she was not thrilled that Gentiles were participating.

Several asked what synagogue I attend.  My reply evoked looks of disbelief!  During the Seder, in the midst of reciting the Hebrew prayers and singing the Passover song, “Dayenu,” in Hebrew, I spoke of a renewed life through the blood of the Passover Lamb, and about worshipping, loving, and exalting our miraculous God.  At the conclusion, I encouraged them to ponder what they had heard and asked how God had impacted their minds and hearts.  The son of one of the residents looked at me with great surprise and remarked, "You really mean what you say, don't you?  It comes from your heart. It's genuine!”  And, my heart was crying out to God, “Thank You!”

During dessert, as I sat with the people, one of the family members asked how many Seders I present each season and if mostly non-Jewish people attend.  “Jewish and non-Jewish people attend.  Many churches request Seders,” I conveyed. “Jesus celebrated Passover Seders.  Jesus is Jewish.”  We spoke of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His crucifixion on the day of Passover, and His resurrection on the Jewish Feast of First Fruits.  One of my friends, with such love on her heart for these dear people, quoted Psalm 121.  Looks of disbelief changed to looks of wonderment.  My friends and I knew that God had orchestrated every detail that evening.

The woman who shouted, “Freedom,” who was quite annoyed at the outset, approached me following the Seder to ask serious questions concerning God.  We’ve Emailed.  I’m also in contact with Judith’s son!  May true freedom in the Jewish Messiah, Jesus, grip the hearts of these people. 

Please pray for the Seders in the month of March this year.  Please pray for boldness on the part of believers to invite their Jewish non-believing friends and neighbors.  Please pray for many Jewish non-believers to attend.  Please pray for fruit to the glory of God!  AND, I’m praying that if you’re local or will be in the Phoenix area on 3/29, that you might join us with your Jewish friend!

Engaging in discussions about Jesus and the Passover following this feast is a regular happening…especially when you hang around the Passover clearance shelves at grocery stores!

All to the glory of God!

Cathy Wilson
cathylouwilson@live.com