There are three specific three commands concerning the Feasts of Jehovah:

1. Speak to Israel concerning the feasts of Jehovah (Leviticus 23:2).

2. Proclaim My feasts to be holy convocations.

3. Proclaim the feasts in their proper seasons (Leviticus 23:4).

        Three of the feasts were yearly gatherings for all males:

1. The Feasts of the Passover, unleavened bread, and Firstfruits were observed in the same season at the same gathering (Exodus 12; Exodus 23:14-17).

2. The Feast of Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-21; Exodus 23:16)

3. The Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-44; Exodus 23:16; Exodus 34:18-22). Two other feasts that all males attended preceded this. By gathering fifteen days earlier they could attend all three that required a total of twenty-one days—the feast of trumpets, the great Day of Atonement, and feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:23-44; 2 Chron. 8:13).

        In addition to the feasts listed in the first three lessons there are eight other Feasts of the Jews:

1. A septennial (recurring every seven years) or sabbatical feast (Leviticus 25)

2. The Feast of the new moon, the first crescent moon after its transition (1 Chron. 23:31; 2 Chron. 2:4; 2 Chron. 8:13; 2 Chron. 31:3; Ezra 3:5; Neh. 10:33; Isaiah 1:13-14; Hosea 2:11; Col. 2:14-17)

3. The Feast of Purim, to celebrate the deliverance from Haman (Esther 9)

4. The Feast of Dedication, or the restoration of the temple, which was profaned by Antiochus Epiphanies (John 10:22). This was also called the Feast of Lights or more commonly known as Hannukah.

5. The Feast of Branches, to commemorate the taking of Jericho by Joshua. It is not mentioned in Scripture.

6. The Feast for the death of Nicanor (1 Macc. 7:48 of the Apocrypha)

7. The Feast for the Discovery of the Sacred Fire (2 Macc. 1:18)

8. The Feast of Carrying Wood to the Tabernacle, called Xylophory (Josephus, Wars of the Jews)

        The Feast of Passover <Hebrew: pacach (HSN-6452)> is the name of the yearly feast of Israel to commemorate their deliverance from the death angel in Egypt. It is an ancient feast, one that spans some 3500 years of human existence. Set in the time of Egypt’s great pyramids, the Passover story is impassioned by fiery accounts of:  

• The lamb

• The Matzah (unleavened bread)

• Bitter herbs.

Exod 12:8 - And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

          The sacrifice was to be young lamb, depicting innocence. It was to be roasted with fire portraying the judgment that would befall it instead of the firstborn. Matzah (unleavened bread) was to be eaten symbolizing the purity of the sacrifice since leaven, with its souring characteristic, was often a symbol of sin. Bitter herbs were to be eaten as a reminder of the suffering of the lamb. There was only ONE Passover when the Lord passed through the land in judgment. Every observance since then has been a memorial commemorating that occasion.

Exodus 13:3 - And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

              Passover holds great distinction among the religious feasts of the world. Passover is the oldest continuously observed feast in existence today, celebrated for some 3,500 years.

• Passover was celebrated in the Sinai wilderness one year after Israel left Egypt <Num 9:1-14>

• Passover was celebrated when the Jewish people came into the land of Israel (Josh. 5:10-12)

• Passover was celebrated in the days of King Hezekiah (2 Chron. 30)

• Passover was celebrated in the days of King Josiah (2 Kings 23:21-23)

• Passover was celebrated after the return from Babylonian captivity (Ezra 6:19-20);

• Passover was celebrated extensively in the days of Jesus (John 11:55).

            Even today, more Jewish people keep Passover than any of the other Jewish holy days. It is a strong, cohesive force within the fabric of Jewish culture and community. The observance of Passover was so important that God graciously gave an alternate date for those who were unable to observe Passover on Nisan 14. Those who had become defiled by touching a dead body or were away on a long journey could celebrate Passover 30 days later on the fourteenth of the second month (Num. 9:1-14; cf. 2 Chr. 30:2, 15). None of the other divinely appointed feasts had this accommodation.

The Passover Seder

                God commanded that Passover be observed as a memorial forever and declared it was to be kept by a service.

Exod 12:25 - And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.

Exod 12:14 - And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

            This service was to incorporate the lamb, Matzah and bitter herbs and to raise questions in the minds of children so that the Exodus story could be rehearsed from generation to generation.

Exod 12:26-27 - And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, what mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

                Several centuries before Christ, a somewhat traditionalized Passover service began to emerge. This ritual Passover service was called the Seder from the Hebrew meaning word meaning “order.” It prescribed the traditional order of the Scripture readings, prayers, symbolic foods, and songs in the Passover service. The basic order of the Passover Seder today remains much as it was 2,000 years ago even though the service continued to be embellished with more songs and traditions up through the Middle Ages. The Seder is symbolic of Christ in all its elements.

                Before the arrival of Passover, painstaking preparation takes place in the Jewish home to rid it of all leavened bread and related products. Houses are scrubbed, pockets are turned inside out and laundered, cooking utensils are scalded, and everyday dinnerware and flatware are replaced with the finest Passover china, silver and crystal. The Passover service itself is usually quite lengthy as the Passover story unfolds through the many prayers, songs, and narrative readings in the Haggadah. The Seder sometimes lasts until midnight or even the early hours of the morning before tired family members wander off to bed.

                As the family is seated, special seating arrangements are observed. The leader sits at his right side in order to fulfill a special role later in the Seder service. To the left of the leader, the guest of honor is seated, or sometimes the place setting is reserved for the prophet Elijah. The mother of the house ushers in the holiday by lighting the Passover candles. She then covers her eyes with her hands and recites a Hebrew blessing over the candles thanking God for the special occasion: “Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has set us apart by His Word, and in whose Name we light the festival lights.”

The First Cup

            The Lord used four expressions to describe His promised deliverance from Egypt:

• I will bring you out

• I will rescue you from their bondage

• I will redeem you

• I will take you as My people

            Since wine is often a symbol of joy of harvest, four cups of wine are taken during the Passover service to reflect the fourfold joy of the Lord’s redemption. To begin the service, the father pours the first cup of wine and asks everyone to rise from the table. The father then lifts his cup toward heaven and recites the Kiddush or “prayer of sanctification” to set the day apart to God:

Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Who created the fruit of the vine. Blessed Art Thou, O Lord our God, Who hast chosen us for Thy service from among the nations…Blessed art Thou, our God, King of the universe, Who hast kept us in life, Who hast preserved us, and hast enabled us to reach this season.

            It was the Messiah, as the leader of the Seder service observed in the Upper Room, who said the Kiddush. “Then He took the cup, and gave thanks.” (Luke 22:17)

The Washing of the Hands

            The second ceremony of the Seder is known as the “washing of the hands.” One of the family members brings a pitcher of water, bowl, and towel to each person at the table to wash his hands. The ceremony is a symbolic act of purification as they prepare to handle the food. It was probably this ceremony in the Seder that the Messiah used to teach His disciples an object lesson:

John 13:4-5 - He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

            His object lesson demonstrated that He was about to become the suffering servant of the Lord, and as such, He would be the One to cleanse them.

The Green Vegetable

            After the hands are washed, the Karpas (green vegetable) is dipped into the salt water and eaten. The green vegetable is a reminder that Passover occurs in the springtime. The salt water is a reminder of the tears and pain and suffering shed by the Jewish people in slavery. Today, it holds even greater meaning, as it is a reminder of the Holocaust of 1939-1945 and the bitterness of the death and carnage experienced by the Jews.

The Middle Matzah

            Next, the leader removes the middle Matzah from the linen bag to break it in half. Half is replaced, and half is carefully wrapped in a linen napkin and hidden away in the house while the children cover their eyes. It reappears later in the service to illustrate a very important truth.

The Four Questions

            At this point the youngest child is called on to recite his diligently rehearsed part. The child asks the traditional Passover questions to fulfill Exodus 12:26:

Exodus 12:26-27 - And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, what mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, it is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

            Why is this night different from all other nights? On all other nights, we eat either leavened or unleavened, but on this night, only unleavened bread? On all other nights, we eat all kinds of herbs, but on this night, only bitter herbs? On all other nights, we do not dip even once, but on this night we dip twice? On all other nights, we eat either sitting or reclining, but on this night, we eat reclining?

            Often the youngest will recline upon the leader. This was the context of the apostle John reclining upon Jesus at their Passover supper. John recorded:

John 13:23 - Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

            This would indicate that John sat to the right of the Savior and was the youngest at the meal, a position consistent with early Church tradition that John was the youngest apostle. John would have had the honor of asking the questions that night. And it was John who asked the Lord Jesus, “Who is it that will betray you?”      

The Second Cup

            Next, the second cup of wine is poured and in response to the four questions, a lengthy narrative recounting the Passover story begins. The story relates the whole panorama of the beginnings of the nation: the calling of Abraham in Ur; God’s promises to the patriarchs; the story of Joseph and his brothers; the enslavement of the Jewish nation; the deliverance brought at the hand of Moses; and the giving of the Law at Sinai.

            As the ten plagues are described, a tiny bit of wine is poured out for each plague. This expresses sorrows felt for the suffering of the Egyptians. As the Passover story unfolds, the Seder tray and its symbolic elements are carefully explained and woven into the telling of the Passover story.

            Before the second cup of wine is taken, the first half of the praise psalms, known in Judaism as the Hallel (Psalms 113-118), is recited responsively.  "Hallel" is a Hebrew word for praise. This word has made its way into many languages in the form of hallelujah, meaning, “Praise Jehovah.” According to the Talmud, which records the ancient rabbinic commentary on Jewish practice, the Levites would chant this group of psalms while the Passover lambs for each family were being sacrificed.

The Dipping of the Matzah

            In preparation for the meal, everyone present is washing his hands a second time for ceremonial cleansing. Then the upper Matzah and the remainder of the middle Matzah are broken into pieces and distributed to everyone. Each person must eat a piece of Matzah dipped in the horseradish and haroset (apple mixture). This is a reminder of the sweetness of God’s redemption in the midst of their bitter slavery. Each person then puts a filling of horseradish between two pieces of the Matzah. This is called the “Hallel Sandwich.” It is named in honor of the brilliant and revered first-century rabbi who taught that enough of the bitter herb should be taken to bring tears to the eyes. In this way each participant can personally identify with his forefathers who were slaves in Egypt.

            It was this ritual which gave rise to another important event in the Last Supper. The Messiah foretold that one of the disciples would betray Him. Peter motioned to John who was reclining against Jesus to inquire of whom this was spoken. Jesus replied that it would be the one to whom He gave a dipped sop (broken piece of Matzah). Jesus dipped the Matzah and gave it to Judas Iscariot. The Scripture is not specific as to the seating arrangement. It could be that Judas was sitting to the left of the Lord in the seat of honor and quite naturally would have received the Matzah first according to tradition. It could also be that Jesus reached across the circle to begin with Judas first. However, if tradition was kept, everyone received a dipped piece of Matzah that night. Perhaps this is why the disciples were still not clear as to who would be the betrayer. In either case, Judas left the service and went out to finalize the betrayal. This ceremony occurred before the meal, and Judas was not present later when Jesus instituted Communion after the dinner.

                Jesus was broken (He died), wrapped and hidden away (buried), and brought back at the third cup of wine (resurrected the third day). The three Matzahs represent the Godhead- the Father and the Holy Ghost.

The Dinner

                Next, the dinner is served. In the day of Jesus, it would have consisted of roasted lamb, served with bitter herbs and Matzah. Today, however, the meal is far more varied and sumptuous. A traditional Passover meal may include delicious Jewish dishes of geflilte fish, Matzah ball soup, glazed chicken, Matzah nut stuffing, potato kugel, honeyed carrots, stewed fruit, and sponge cake. In every way it is a meal fit for a KingJ

The Afikomen

                After the meal, the children are sent out to find the broken half-Matzah that was wrapped and hidden away. It is known as the afikomen. The children search high and low with great excitement for they know that the one who finds it will receive a reward. From a remote corner of the house, shouts of delight announce that the desired treasure has been discovered. Rabbinic law requires a small piece of the afikomen be broken off and eaten by everyone present at the service as a reminder of the Passover lamb.

 The Third Cup

            Next in the ceremony, the third cup of wine, called The Cup of Redemption, is poured and sipped. It was here in the Passover Seder that the Messiah instituted the Lord’s Table. Luke reveals that it was the “cup after supper” the third cup or Cup of Redemption that Jesus chose to be a reminder of His work on the cross.

            Passover is closely associated with the fervent hope for the coming of the Messiah. After the third cup, a child is sent to the front door to hopefully welcome in the prophet Elijah. It is hoped that the prophet will step through the doorway, drink his cup of wine, and announce the coming of the Messiah. This tradition is actually rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, for Malachi prophesied, “I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (Mal. 4:5) Many believe Elijah will be one of the two messianic witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11 since one of them will perform miracles of Elijah. Although the scriptures teach that Elijah will return in the future, it does not name the two witnesses.

The Fourth Cup

            The fourth cup of wine, called the Cup of Acceptance, or Praise, is poured and taken. It was this cup that the Messiah said He would not drink until He drank it with the disciples in the Kingdom. He knew that the hour of His acceptance by His Jewish nation was yet future, and therefore His joy would be full until then.

Matt 26:29 - But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

                At the conclusion of the service, a hymn is usually sung or recited. This was also the tradition in the day of Jesus. Matthew states, “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out.” (Matthew 26:30). Perhaps since Matthew was writing to a Jewish audience, he knew that they would now the name of the hymn since by tradition, every Seder ends with the latter half of the Hallel (Ps. 115-118).

            How ironic that just hours before Jesus was betrayed and went to the cross, He sang the prophetic words of Psalm 118:

Ps 118:22-26 - The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

            The Messiah sang these words just hours before He fulfilled them in becoming the stone that was rejected by the religious leaders. How tragic is it that the Jewish nation did not realize that the truth of this Psalm stood before them in the form of Jesus Christ. The Messiah would first be rejected and suffer before He would reign on David’s throne. How doubly tragic, sine Psalm 118 was generally viewed as messianic and was even sung to Jesus proclaiming Him the Messiah at His so-called triumphal entry. Matthew recorded words of similar content in chapter 21 of his book:

Matt 21:9 - And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

The Passover Table

        There are 15 elements of the Passover table which all point to Christ and the Jewish experience. Let’s look at each one:

A Pillow – is placed near the left arm of the leader on which to recline during the Seder. The custom of reclining while eating is of ancient Persian origin. It symbolizes freedom, since slaves were never permitted to recline in leisure at a meal.

Salt Water – symbolizes the Jewish tears shed during Egyptian bondage and God’s miraculous parting of the Red Sea

• The Haggadah – which means in the Hebrew, “the telling.” It’s so named from the Lord’s command to “tell your son”. (Ex. 13:8). It is the book which relates the Passover story through readings, songs, and prayers in the traditional prescribed order

• The Kippah – or Yarmulke is the small head covering worn by Jewish males to show reverence for God. There is no command for such a practice in scripture, but it arose by tradition in post-Biblical times

• Haroset – is a sweet mixture of finely chopped apple, nuts, cinnamon, and wine made to resemble the red-brown clay and mortar used by Israel in making the bricks of Pharaoh’s pyramids. Its sweetness is a reminder of the sweetness of God’s redemption of slavery

• The Seder Tray – is a tray or platter that usually has six circular indentations so that the symbolic Passover foods may be individualized and displayed. It is the central item on the modern Passover table.

• Candles – are lit at sunset and a prayer pronounced over them by the mother of the house to begin the Passover service. The candles, with their bright, warm glow, symbolized the solemnity of the occasion and set Passover apart as a special day

• Three Matzahs – (unleavened bread) are placed on the Passover table with one in each pocket of the embroidered Matzah tash (linen bag). Some rabbinic authorities suggest that the three matzahs represent the three groups of Jewish people; the priests, the Levites, and the Israelites. However, there is no biblical basis for this explanation.

• Wine – is a symbol of joy. Rabbinic law commands that four cups of wine be taken during the Seder to symbolize the four-fold expressions of the Lord’s promised deliverance. According to rabbinic law, the wine must be red.

• Elijah’s Cup – is the extra cup of wine poured in hopes that the prophet Elijah might come and announce the arrival of the Messiah. Rabbinic tradition holds that the Messiah will come during Passover, the season of redemption, to bring about the final redemption from dispersion. However, according to Malachi 4:5, Elijah must appear first

• Karpas – usually parsley, bitter lettuce, or watercress, is considered a bitter herb. Its green color is a reminder of springtime during which Passover occurs and also of the hyssops plant used to apply the blood to the doorposts

• Maror – or the bitter herbs is usually ground horseradish, is a mandatory item for Passover. It is a reminder of the bitterness that the Israelites suffered as slaves in Egypt.

• The Shankbone – of a lamb is a stark reminder of the Passover lamb sacrificed each year in the days of the Temple. The sacrificial system ceased with the Roman destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70

• The Roasted Egg – in some traditions represents the required peace offering in the Temple for the second day of Passover

• Hazeret – is a whole bitter herb, horseradish or onion. It is in addition to the Maror since the biblical command in Numbers 9 is to eat the meal with bitter herbs (Plural)

Ten Passover's of Scripture

Exodus 12:23 - [For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.  And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons forever.  And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep his service.  And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, what mean ye by this service?  That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses

• The original Passover (Exodus 12:21-28)

• The Passover in the wilderness (Numbers 9:5)

• The first Passover in Canaan (Joshua 5:10)

• The Passover under Hezekiah (2 Chron. 30:13-15)

• The Passover under Josiah (2 Kings 23:21; 2 Chron. 35)

• The Passover under Zerubbabel (Ezra 6:19)

• The Passover that Jesus attended as a boy (Luke 2:41)

• The first Passover mentioned during Jesus' ministry (John 2:13)

• The second Passover during Jesus' ministry (John 6:4)

• The last Passover during Jesus' ministry (Matthew 26:17)