Christ Our Passover? Part 2

“Christ Our Passover”?

Part 2, “Keeping the Passover”: Celebrating it or Killing it?

A New Dawn

Part 2 Preview: That the Christian (Nazarene) Passover must be celebrated should be common knowledge, yet that knowledge is quite rare, and of those with that understanding, most have been misled when it comes to the chronology. Even fewer consider what Passover is! When and how should we celebrate the it? While translators and teachers bear much of the blame, anyone with a good lexicon simply does not have much of an excuse for following blind guides—provided God’s Spirit fans the flames of their curiosity.

INDEX

There is a second Hebrew word that has been translated as “keep” in Passover context and it also obscures the significance. Yeshua was put under surveilance—watched from the “tenth day” of the first month to the “fourteenth day” by the high priest with the intention of finding the right time to steal Him away and have Him killed. (Counting the three days that His grave was under surveilance by Roman guards makes exactly seven days of watching.) The word “keep” as in “keep it until the fourteenth day” simply does not indicate the seriousness of the concept, yet the Strong’s definition does list “keep” because it was translated as such in the KJV.

Notice that the word for “keep” in reference to the Passover, in Numbers 9:14 is the same word that is translated as “do” later in the same sentence. In fact, it was translated as “do” 1,333 times in the KJV. There are other similar uses for the word but the numbers 8804 & 8799 indicate that only meanings applied to the Qal verb stem apply here and anywhere else in these 14 verses from Numbers.

In Part 1 we began a detailed look at the word “keep”.

Numbers 9:14 And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will ‘keep’ [06213] the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he ‘do’ [06213] .... KJV

So better translated, “keeping” the Passover was literally “doing” the Passover. It required “work” and “preparation”, even on those years (1 in 7) when it falls on the Sabbath. “Doing” the Passover meant killing a lamb in preparation for eating it on the Holy Day!

In Numbers 9:1-14, quoted toward the end of Part 1, the words “keep” and “kept” are bold.

If an interpretation of Strong’s #06213 was the intent of the KJV translators then they should have used the word “sacrifice” instead of “keep” in this chapter as in: “[SACRIFICE] the Passover at its appointed ‘season’ [appointed place or appointed time]”.

These Scriptures show us exactly when the Passover lambs were killed: The Passover lambs were to be killed on the fourteenth of Abib:

2 Chronicles 35:1 Josiah kept a Passover to [Yehovah’] in Jerusalem: and they killed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first ‘month’ [moon]. WEB

When on Preparation Day did they “do” the lambs?

Christ our Passover was slain at precisely the same time that the lambs were being sacrificed—from what we would call 3:00 PM until nightfall.

2 Chronicles 35:9-14 Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites, gave to the Levites for the Passover offerings five thousand small livestock, and five hundred head of cattle. 10 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites by their divisions, according to the king’s commandment. 11 They killed the Passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood which they received of their hand, and the Levites flayed them. 12 They removed the burnt offerings, that they might give them according to the divisions of the fathers’ houses of the children of the people, to offer to [Yehovah], as it is written in the book of Moses. So did they with the cattle. 13 They roasted the Passover with fire according to the ordinance: and the holy offerings boiled they in pots, and in cauldrons, and in pans, and carried them quickly to all the children of the people. 14 Afterward they prepared for themselves, and for the priests, because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering the burnt offerings and the fat UNTIL NIGHT: therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron. WEB

They did not begin killing the Passover Lambs at night (just after the sunset of the thirteenth, which began the fourteenth of Abib, as so many teach) rather, they began sacrificing the Passover Lambs “between the evenings” (which simply means in the afternoon as is so precisely explained in What Does “Between The Evenings” Mean? (off site) and more specifically at least that year at the “ninth hour”, (3:00 PM) and they prepared them “UNTIL NIGHT”. This link above shows that “between the evenings” cannot possibly mean “between sunset and dark” as the Samaritans believed. It means, as the Jews interpret it to mean—“in the afternoon”.

Fortunately there are other Hebrew Scriptures related to the Passover that use alternate wording. “Between the evenings” is not the only indication that we have for the timing.

Deuteronomy 16:6 But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place His name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the ‘season’ [Hebrew: appointed time] that thou camest forth out of Egypt. KJV

We can see clearly here that the Passover was to be kept “at even” which is defined as “the going down of the sun”. It says nothing about the sun “being” down. Of course, any time after 12:00 noon the sun is “going down”. That is why we call that time in English “afternoon”. The point is that the sun was still going down. “Even” (or evening) is not after the sun has already set tho it can mean the time immediately before sundown.

Most assuredly, Passover lambs were not killed after dark, as so many have falsely assumed. They were killed “until night”.

All of the Preparations had to be finished before sunset, even tho the roasting of the Passover Lamb would continue after the sun had set. This was in remembrance of the original sacrifice of the firstborn. The children of Israel would have disobeyed God had they killed the Passover lambs after sunset!

After the lambs were sacrificed, Israel was to begin roasting the lambs—still on the Preparation Day:

Exodus 12:8-9, 22 They shall eat the flesh in that night, roasted with fire, and unleavened bread. They shall eat it with bitter herbs. 9 Dont eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted with fire; with its head, its legs and its inner parts .... 22 You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. WEB

By now it is apparent that the Passover Lambs were killed on the PREPARATION DAY for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Preparation Day is the fourteenth day of Abib, but the fourteenth is not a Feast! The “Feast of the Passover” could not occur without preparation. Therefore, the Preparation day is as important a part of God’s Law, as the eating of Unleavened Bread on the following seven days. Incidentally, all seven days should be regarded as Feast days, (but not all are Sabbaths) not just the first and last days, as explained in Three Times A Year!

Right after the lambs were sacrificed, the Israelites took some of the lamb’s blood and put it above and to both sides of the doorposts of their houses on the Preparation Day, before the sun had set!

Many of the people who were influenced by a certain strong 20th century advocate of Holy Day observance insist that at some fuzzy time in the past the Jews changed the day of their Passover celebration. However, they dont seem to know when this may have happened. Some believe that it happened after Ezra’s time, since Ezra certainly would not have messed up the Passover but in the time of Josiah it was still being faithfully observed at the end of the 14th. The Babylonians, being sun worshipers, began their days at sunrise. There may be evidence that a few of the Jews, when they returned to Jerusalem centuries before Yeshua, retained that practice but some claim that most of Judaism lost track of their days due to that Babylonian influence. By that reasoning wouldnt they also have to doubt the timing of all of the Holy Days and the Sabbath as well?

Get the Leaven Out!

On Preparation day all of the leavening was to be removed from the Israelite’s dwellings, because they were also preparing for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This was to occur before the Passover lambs were sacrificed!

There is some confusion about when the leaven should be removed from our homes because of the way that Exodus 12:15 is worded. We have a situation similar to the Feast of Tabernacles where that seven day Feast is immediately followed by a special Eighth Day, only here the special First Day is followed by seven more days:

Exodus 12:15-18 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away ‘yeast’ [leavening] out of your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. 16 In the first day there shall be to you a holy convocation, and in the seventh day a holy convocation; no manner of work shall be done in them, except that which every man must eat, that only may be done by you. 17 You shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this same day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations by an ordinance forever. 18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty first day of the month at evening. WEB

There are actually two first days! There is the “First Day” of the eight day “Passover season” which includes the Preparation Day (Abib 14) and then there is the “First Day” of “the [seven day] Feast of Unleavened Bread” which is clearly Abib 15:

Leviticus 23:6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to [Yehovah]. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. WEB

Compare also:

Numbers 28:16-18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is [Yehovah’s] Passover. 17 On the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast; seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten. 18 In the first day shall be a holy convocation; you shall do no servile work .... WEB

This is one of the shortcomings of language. Most words have nuances of application. One use of the word “first” has to do with the events of a “former time”, specifically the Preparation Day and the second use of the word has to do with the “first day” of the seven Days of Unleavened Bread:

On Preparation day all of the leaven was removed and the lambs were killed. There would be no Passover Feast without these preparations. So the Preparation Day is as important a part of God’s “shadows of things to come” as are the Seven Days of Unleavened Bread. This is especially evident concerning the “Yeshua’s Supper” that begins the Preparation Day.

The next event is the Passover Feast. It is the very first meal eaten during the Feast of Unleavened Bread! As we have seen, the Passover Lamb was killed on the Preparation day, but was it eaten then as well? The Preparation day was reserved for the work of getting rid of anything with leavening in it and killing the lambs. The slaughtering started that afternoon.

Exodus 12:5-6 & 8 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at evening ... 8 They shall eat the flesh in that night, roasted with fire, and unleavened bread. They shall eat it with bitter herbs. WEB

The “evening” that Exodus 12:6 is referring to is the evening part of the fourteenth day but by definition, we saw that this is only “until night” and at “the going down of the sun”. “Afternoon” would be a better translation. The Passover Feast began the very night following the “afternoon” on which the lambs were killed.

Leviticus 23:6-7 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to [Yehovah]. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. WEB

When was the Exodus—14th,15th, Day or Night?

Numbers 33:3-4 They traveled from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the next day after the Passover the children of Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of [i.e. daytime] all the Egyptians [not just the few very near by] 4 while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom [Yehovah] had struck among them; on their gods also [Yehovah] executed judgments. WEB

We are to remember the 15th day because of God’s deliverance for His children Israel, but far more importantly we can appreciate when the firstborn—not of Egypt—but the firstborn Son of God died for us!

By Night?

One of the two primary mistranslations that cause people to dispute the chronology of the 14th—15th is the words “by night” in Deuteronomy 16:1. Since I have already recommended When Did Ancient Israel Keep the Passover? (off site) I wont go into the resolution of the apparent contradiction. Rather, I will simply suggest that you do a word search for the following sentence when on that web page:

“If you are still reading, then you are probably ready to move on to the next point.

Deuteronomy 16:1 Observe the month of Abib, and keep [8804] the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth [8689] out of Egypt BY NIGHT.” KJV

Simply put, the following verses are the ones that are rendered correctly:

Exodus 12:22 & 51 You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin; and NONE OF YOU SHALL GO OUT OF THE DOOR OF HIS HOUSE UNTIL THE MORNING .... 51 It happened the same day, that [Yehovah] brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies. WEB

Exodus 13:3-4 Moses said to the people, “Remember this day, in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand [Yehovah] brought you out [(8689) same as “brought you forth” of Deuteronomy 16:1] from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. 4 This day you go forth in the month Abib. KJV

“Pillaging” The Egyptians

Did the Israelites spend the entire fourteenth day “borrowing” from the Egyptians, as many conclude? The Scriptures indicate that the Israelites received their compensation before the final plague!

Exodus 11:1-3 [Yehovah] said to Moses, “Yet one plague more will I bring on Pharaoh, and on Egypt; afterwards he will let you go. When he lets you go, he will surely thrust you out altogether. 2 Speak NOW [prior to the final plague] in the ears of the people, and let them ask every man of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.” 3 [Yehovah] gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people. WEB

The compensation for services rendered was not something that was done in haste! This is even more apparent in the NKJV where the tense is right.

Exodus 12:34-36 The people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 The children of Israel ‘did’ [had done] according to the word of Moses; and they [had] asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing. 36 [Yehovah] [had given] the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They despoiled the Egyptians. WEB

Should We Sacrifice Lambs?

Deuteronomy 16:1-6 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover to [Yehovah] your God; for in the month of Abib [Yehovah] your God brought you forth out of Egypt ‘by’ [because of the events of that] night. 2 You shall sacrifice the Passover to [Yehovah] your God, of the flock and the herd, in THE PLACE which [Yehovah] shall choose, to cause His name to dwell there. 3 You shall eat no leavened bread with it. You shall eat unleavened bread with it seven days, even the bread of affliction; for you came forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that you may remember the day when you came forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. 4 There shall be no [leavening] seen with you in all your borders seven days; neither shall any of the flesh, which you sacrifice the first day at even, remain all night until the morning. 5 You may NOT sacrifice the Passover within any of your gates, which [Yehovah] your God gives you; 6 but at THE PLACE which [Yehovah] your God shall choose, to cause His name to dwell in, there you shall sacrifice the Passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that you came forth out of Egypt. WEB

“You may NOT sacrifice the Passover within any of your gates”. This simply means dont try this at home!

Verse 3 explains that this was a memorial specifically concerning the Exodus from Egypt and we now have even more amazing reasons to celebrate the Passover. But at that point in time there was no connection stated that would distinguish the Exodus Passover from Yeshua’s Passover (His crucifixion). Some of the added significance has been covered, but there is yet one great prophesied factor that needs to be examined—the siege of Jerusalem that “coincidentally” began on Passover.

In 66 AD the Jews rebelled against Roman. In 70 AD, after a 143 day siege which was begun at the Passover, a detachment of the Roman army of about 30,000 troops under Titus battered down the walls of Jerusalem and entered the city. They destroyed the city, including Herod’s (God’s) Temple—exactly as Yeshua had prophesied. The cities’ population and a great number of Passover pilgrims were brutally slaughtered. That holocaust numbered 600,000 people killed.

Luke 21:5-6 As some were talking about the temple being adorned with beautiful stones and donated items, Yeshua told them: 6 “As for these things that you see, the time will come, that there wont be left one stone on another stone, that is not thrown down. YMES

The temple in Jerusalem was “THE PLACE which [Yehovah] your God shall choose, to cause His name to dwell in, THERE you shall sacrifice the Passover ....” Prior to that God placed His name in Bethel. No substitute place can be “named” by a religious leader. Before the twelve tribes go into the land again there will be a new temple, and as Ezekiel prophesied Israel will again literally “keep” the Passover.

Until God lives on earth again, He is placing His name on His followers individually and not “in Jerusalem”.

John 4:21, 23-24 Yeshua said “Woman, believe Me, the time is coming, when you wont worship the Father on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem .... 23 But the time comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father *is seeking* this type of worshipers. 24 For Yehovah is Spirit; and those who worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” YMES

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are assembled in My name, there I will be among them. YMES

Eventually, both the inhabitants of New Jerusalem, as well as the city of New Jerusalem will be the place where God’s name dwells because His name will soon be written on some of us!

Revelation 3:12 Anyone who is victorious, I will make a pillar in the temple of Yehovah; and he will *never be separated from the Assembly* [1831]; and I will write the name of Yehovah on him, and the name of New Jerusalem that descends from heaven, from Yehovah, and My own new name. YMES

This situation will happen again!

Ezekiel 43:1-7 Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looks toward the east. 2 Behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shined with His glory. 3 It was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when ‘I’ [he] came to destroy the city; and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell on my face. 4 The glory of [Yehovah] came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. 5 The Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of [Yehovah] filled the house. 6 I heard one speaking to me out of the house; and a man stood by me. 7 He said to me, son of [Adam], this is the place of My throne, and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. WEB

This has not been a how-to chapter on Passover, it has been a when-to chapter. There is just one more question that needs attention: Who should celebrate the Passover (as distinguished from the “Lord’s Supper”)?

All Israel was to do the Passover—men, women and children.

Exodus 12:26-27 It will happen, when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 that you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of [Yehovahs’] Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He struck the Egyptians, and spared our houses. WEB

The Messiah’s Passover

For the most part, this chapter ends by simply presenting the actual Scriptures about our Messiah’s Passover.

Passover for us today should focus on the circumstances bringing about Yeshua’s sacrifice, particularly the bitter details of the account along with the promises inherent in His sacrifice that offer us the Promised Land of New Jerusalem and the Kingdom of God. We’ll not dwell too much on the circumstances that eventually led ancient Israel to their “land flowing with milk and honey”. The “bitter herbs” are easily associated with the bitterness we should feel for our part in necessitating Yeshua’s sacrifice.

At Yeshua’s Supper we should read about why the sacrifice had to happen. On the Passover we should read about the conditions that led to the sacrifice itself, beginning with Yeshua’s arrest and ending with His burial. If you do not understand why Yeshua’s very last words—“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”—are so very inspiring, then you really must read the explanation: Did God Really Forsake Yeshua Christ on the Cross? (off site) (and particularly in this instance my Disclaimer).

Of all of the holy times of the year, Passover is the only one with instructions that you can “make up for” if you are temporarily ill or “on a journey”. It may be observed on the 14th of the second month as the “Second Passover”. There is one other acceptable reason to commemorate the Second Passover—ignorance! Ignorance of the correct way to observe the Passover is why the Second Passover was begun. (Numbers 9:10-11) I’ll be doing that this year (2006)! A friend, during our 2006 Passover season, explained that because the New Year, as determined by abib barley, cannot be determined months in advance, a person might not anticipate in advance the New Year beginning when it does. Rather than wait to plan a trip for the sighting of barley it is permissible “to take a shot” as to the date with the second month as a safety net.

The following prophecy contains the perfect Passover message.

Isaiah 52:13 thru Isaiah 53 Behold, My Servant shall deal wisely, He shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. 14 Like as many were astonished at You (His appearance was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men), 15 so shall He sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths at Him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they understand. Isaiah 53, Who has believed Our message? To whom has the arm of [Yehovah] been revealed? 2 For He grew up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form nor comeliness. When we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He was despised, and rejected by men; a Man of suffering, and acquainted with disease. He was despised as one from whom men hide their face; and we didnt respect Him. 4 Surely He has borne our sickness, and carried our suffering; yet we considered Him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on Him; and by His wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to his own way; and [Yehovah] has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, yet when He was afflicted He didn’t open His mouth. As a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so He didnt open His mouth. 8 He was taken away by oppression and judgment; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living and stricken for the disobedience of My people? 9 They made His grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death; although He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. 10 Yet it pleased [Yehovah] to bruise Him. He has caused Him to suffer. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed. He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of [Yehovah] shall prosper in His hand. 11 After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light and be satisfied. My righteous Servant will justify many by the knowledge of Himself; and He will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He poured out His soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. WEB

There are various theories about these passages. Some actually believe that Israel fulfilled this. The following off site links are quite interesting. I would recommend that you become aware of the arguments of others so that you can:

1 Peter 3:15 ... sanctify our Master the Messiah, in your minds. And be perpetually* ready to give a *reasoned statement* [627] to anyone who asks you for an explanation* for the *confident expectation* [1680] of your faith, with a *mild disposition* [4240] and respect.

To see why Isaiah 53 cant refer to Israel, and who it must be, click here.

To see quotations from ancient rabbinic sources that interpret Isaiah 53 as referring to the Messiah click here.

Some rabbi’s realize that there is a suffering Messiah and a conquering Messiah. Eventually they will learn that “they” are both the same person.

To learn about the “Two-Messiah” theory of some rabbinic thinkers click here.

The grieving over the holocausts (past and future) will take on a different sentiment as Judah realizes that she killed her own Son, the Son of God who could have continually delivered them and who will deliver many of them.

Zechariah 12:9-10 It will happen in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10 I will pour on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to Me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for Him, as one grieves for his firstborn. WEB

Here is Matthew’s account of the circumstances that led to Yeshua being sacrificed.

Matthew 27 In the morning, the leading priests and the elders of the people held a council against Yeshua, about how they might put Him to death. 2 They bound Him, and led Him and delivered Him to Pilate, the governor. 3 Then Judas, the betrayer, when he saw that Yeshua was condemned, was remorseful. He went and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the leading priests and elders. 4 He said, “I have sinned, by betraying innocent blood”. They replied, “What is that to us? See to it yourself”. 5 He threw down the silver in the temple, left, went out and hanged himself. 6 The leading priests picked up the silver, and said, “It isnt lawful to put it into the treasury, because it is blood money”. 7 So after discussing it they bought with it the potter’s field, as a place to bury strangers. 8 So that field is called “the Field of Blood”, to this day. 9 Then that which was spoken by the prophet [1] was fulfilled; “I took the thirty shekels of silver, the price of the precious One, whom the children of Israel had priced; 10 I gave them for the potter’s field, as the Supreme* [2] directed me”. 11 Yeshua stood before the governor. The governor asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews”? Yeshua answered, “You could say that”. 12 When the leading priests and elders accused Him, He made no reply. 13 Then Pilate asked Him, “Dont You hear what they are testifying against You”? 14 But He didnt answer him, not even one word; so Pilate was greatly amazed. 15 On each Feast day, the governor customarily released to the people one prisoner, whoever they preferred. 16 They had in bonds a notorious* prisoner, named Bar Abas. 17 When they were gathered, Pilate asked them, “Who do you want for me to release for you, Bar Abas, or Yeshua who is called the Messiah”? 18 For Pilate knew that it was because of envy that they had condemned Him. 19 As the governor was sitting on his judgment seat, his wife sent this message to him, “Have nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered much today in a dream because of Him”. 20 But the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd that they should demand Bar Abas, and destroy Yeshua. 21 The governor answered them, “Which of the two should I release to you? They answered, “Bar Abas”. 22 Pilate asked them, “What should I do to Yeshua who is called Messiah? They all replied, “Let Him be crucified”. 23 The governor asked them, “But what has He has done that is evil? But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified”. 24 When Pilate saw that it was availing nothing, but rather a riot was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the the crowd, and said, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Man; you see to it”. 25 All the people said, “His blood is on us, and on our children”! [be careful what you ask for] 26 Then he released to them Bar Abas; and scourged Yeshua with whips and delivered Him to be crucified. 27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Yeshua into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole regiment against Him. 28 They stripped Him, and put a scarlet military cloak on Him. 29 They wove a crown of thorns, and set it on His head, and put a reed in His hand. They knelt before Him, and mocked Him, and said, “Peace, King of the Jews”. 30 They spit in His face, and took a reed, and struck Him on His head. 31 When they had mocked Him, they took off His robe, and clothed Him in His own clothes, and led Him out to be crucified. 32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene whose name was Simon. They forced him to carry His cross. 33 They came to a place which is called Golgotha, which is to say “The Skull”. 34 They gave him vinegar mixed with gall to drink. When He tasted it, but wouldnt drink it. 35 When they had crucified Him, they distributed His clothes by lots. [A] 36 They sat down, and watched Him there. 37 They placed over His head the accusation against Him, which said, “THIS IS YESHUA, THE KING OF THE JEWS”. 38 Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right hand, and the other on His left. 39 Those who passed by blasphemed Him, and shook their heads 40 and said, “You who would destroy of the temple, and rebuild it in three days, deliver Yourself. If you are the Son of Yehovah, come down from the cross. 41 The leading priests were also mocking Him, along with the law professors the elders and the Pharisees, 42 said, “He gave life to others, but His own life He cant save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. [B] 43 He trusted in Yehovah; let Him rescue Him now, if He has pleasure in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of Yehovah’”. 44 In the same way the thieves who were crucified with Him, reproached Him. 45 From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land, until the ninth hour. 46 About the ninth hour, Yeshua cried with a loud voice and said, “Eli, Eli; why have You forsaken Me”? [3] [C] 47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard it, said, “He calls for Elijah”. 48 Immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it to Him to drink. 49 But the rest said, “Wait, let’s see if Elijah comes to rescue Him”. 50 Then Yeshua cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Instantly, the curtain of the door of the temple was torn in half, from the top to the bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split. 52 Graves were opened, and many bodies of the Saints who slept were raised, 53 After His resurrection they entered into the holy city, and appeared to many. 54 The centurion, and those who were with Him guarding Yeshua, when they saw the earthquake and the things that happened, feared greatly, and said, “Truly, this was the Son of Yehovah”. 55 Many women were there, looking on from a distance, the same who had followed Yeshua from Galilee, and had ministered to him. 56 One of them was Mary of Magdala, also Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children. 57 When it was evening, a rich man came from Ramath, whose name was a Joseph, who was also a disciple of Yeshua. 58 This man went to Pilate, and begged for the body of Yeshua. Pilate allowed the body to be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a winding sheet of clean linen; 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, that was cut from rock. He rolled a great stone against the door of the tomb, and left. 6l Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb. 62 On the next day, the day after the Day of Preparation, the leading priests and Pharisees gathered before Pilate, 63 and said to him, “Master, we remember that this deceiver said, while He was alive, ‘After three days, I will arise’”. 64 So order that the tomb be guarded until the third day, because His disciples might come and steal Him away at night, and say to the people that He has risen from the dead. The last delusion would be worse than the first. 65 Pilate told them, “You have soldiers, go and guard it as securely as you know how”. 66 They went and set a guard at the tomb, and sealed the stone. YMES

The happy ending for all of us is the resurrection. This is our only hope as well.

Matthew 28:1-7 Sabbath evening, as the *first of the Sabbaths* [Sabbaton, 4521], began to *draw near*, Mary of Magdala, and the other Mary came to view the tomb. 2 Then there was a great earthquake, for a holy messenger of Yehovah descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning; and His clothing was as white as snow. 4 Out of fear of Him the guards were astounded, and became as dead men. 5 The holy messenger said to the women, “Dont be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Yeshua who was crucified. 6 He isnt here, for He has risen, as He predicted. Come and see the place where our Master was laid. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, that He has arisen from the dead. Even now He is preceding you to Galilee, there you will see Him. Remember, I have told you.

[1] To see why the above text says “the First of the Sabbaths” instead of “the first day of the week” see: “The First Day of The Week”—Countdown to Pentecost!

The next passage describes a time when “all Israel and Judah” began to celebrate the Passover after a long period of indifference. While the people had not prepared their hearts to seek God, He was willing to atone for their apathy because their wise leader Hezekiah had stirred them to action. This is reminiscent of “But scrutinize*! [1381] *Each individual [444] should *scrutinize their own genuineness* [1381]” in 1 Corinthians 11:28 YMES.

2 Chronicles 30:17-19 For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves: therefore the Levites were in charge of killing the Passovers for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them to [Yehovah]. 18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than it is written. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the good [Yehovah] pardon everyone 19 who [‘PREPARES’: NKJV] to seek God, [Yehovah], the God of his fathers, even if they arent clean according to the purification of the sanctuary.” WEB

For anyone who has been indifferent or ignorant about God’s holy time—Passover is a good time to resolve to change. No doubt He’ll be at the Feast!

John 11:55-56 The Passover of the Jews was near; and many went up from the villages to Jerusalem, before the Feast, so that they could purify themselves. 56 They looked for Yeshua. In the temple they asked each other, “What do you think? Will He come to the Feast”? YMES

I plan to begin eating lamb and bitter herbs from here on out at the Passover. It will not be ceremonially sacrificed but it will help to distinguish the Supper of the 14th from the Feast of the 15th. It is such a simple thing to do to mark this event that has lasted from antiquity and will continue far into the future. While some may argue that it is not necessary to to eat Lamb and bitter herbs on Yeshua’s Passover, I believe that it is particularly wise to positively reinforce in our minds the distinction between Passover and the Yeshua’s Supper in that very manner—particularly if you were duped for years.

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who keeps both the Yeshua’s Supper and His Passover. I’d particularly be interested in hearing about what you do in the way of traditions, not that every tradition must be spelled out scripturally, but certainly nothing borrowed from paganism would be appropriate. The sader plate with that egg thing reminds me of Easter eggs. What have you found?

Here is an interesting link on Bitter Herbs. I think that the “traditional” Jewish horseradish is an excellent choice.