After the third cup, the three matzah are displayed. They are representative of G-ds Redemptive plan for his people otherwise known as the Tanahk, the scriptures, the Old Testament. The first matzah is the Torah, the first five books of the bible, second is the Nevi'im, the prophets and the third is the Ketuvim, the writings. It is written that the Torah, Nevi'im and the Ketuvim always point to the G-d.
We are also told to break the middle piece, Nevi’im in two. The first piece of these two matzah is the Afrikomen, which is wrapped in a cloth and hidden away. This will be search for by the children on the Shabbat following the Shabbat after Pesach, which is the Feast of First Fruits. This represents the gift of freedom and salvation for future generations and the promise of the Messiah.
The second piece is then held up and presented as the substitute for the lamb of God. The leader says, "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away our sins." We normally break the matzah and pass it around for everyone to eat.
I tried my best to describe this section of the ceremony without any comment. However, you can't go through this part without getting goosebumps. It doesn't need any comment. But I will from here to the end.
During the ceremonial seder meal, Matzah, unleaven bread is used in place of the sacrificial lamb. Rabbinical law requires matzah to be without leaven, striped, bruised and pierced. Nothing in any Jewish writing tell us the reason for these requirements except for the “without leaven”. This is to show that the Passover lamb is to be perfect, without sin. However, Isaiah 53 tells us:
“…he was pierced for our transgressions, he was broken for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
We now know that this was to point to the death and resurrection of the future Messiah. The lamb of God would have a two-fold appearance, first to die for and rise in triumph over sin, the second to come in glory as King.
Also, please notice the cloth that holds the three pieces of Matzah. It is called the unity cloth. This is representative of the power of God, the fabric that holds all things together. There are three sections. Can we say the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
The breaking of the Matzah has always sent chills down my spine and tears from my eyes. Chills, because it points to one person, the one who fulfilled the Nevi'im, the prophecies, Y'shua ha Mashiach, Jesus Christ. Tears because of our Jewish brothers and sisters who remain blinded to the Messiah.
However, as Saul (Paul) said in Romans 11:25-26:
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved."
Our Judaic brothers and sisters will come to know the Messiah and I rejoice in that future uncovering.
Finally, remember the piece of Nevi'im, which was wrapped up and put away? It is to represent the coming Messiah. It is to be unwrapped on the Shabbat after the Shabbat after Pesach, which is always Sunday, the Feast of First Fruits. It was the third day, Sunday, after his death on the altar of G-d, that Y'shua rose victoriously as King on the Feast of First Fruits.
Isn't G-d amazing? His Word always points to Yeshua, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Pesach Part Six
It's definitely been a busy Pesach season and I'm sorry for not posting very often.
However, with that said, we come to my favorite cup, the second cup, Kos Sheni, the Cup of Judgement. This represents G-ds second "I will" statement. I will judge the Egyptians. It is during this cup, we remember G-ds judgement on Egyptians, which is synonymous with the world and sin.
During this time, we recite the plagues, G-d used to smite the Egyptians for not following G-ds Word.
But before continuing, I would like to remind you of a few verses.
The first verse is John 5:39. This is where Y'shua is telling everyone that when you search the scriptures, you find eternal life and that is testifying of a future Messiah and that is Y'shua, the one and the same that is standing right in front of you.
"You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life."
Also,
"Whom will He teach knowledge? And whom will He make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little" (Isaiah 28:9-10).
and Proverbs 25:2
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."
These last two verses tell us that G-d hides things for his children to discover and that those jewels are not always on the surface, but hidden from plain view.
Now, let's look at the plagues. As we recite them, notice that the first word is the Hebrew, the second is the English and finally, what the word means.
1. DAWM
BLOOD
LIFE
2. TZ'FARDAYAH
FROGS
IS REQUIRED
3. KANE
LICE
BY WAY OF FASTENING IN A CROSSING MANNER
4. AHRAB
FLIES
GIVEN AS AN EXCHANGE
5. MIKNEH
LIVESTOCK
IN ORDER TO BUY OR PURCHASE OR REDEEM
6. SHEK'CHEEN
BOILS
RISE UP OR THRU FIRE BY WAY OF JUDGEMENT
7. BAWRAWD
HAIL
ROCK FROM HEAVEN
8. ARBEH
LOCUST
INCREASE IN US AN ABUNDANCE
9. KHOSHECK
DARKNESS
THROUGH DEATH
10. MAWVETH B'CHOROT
DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN
THE DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN
As seen in different places throughout the Tanakh, the Old Testament, here we find that we are to recite G-ds judgement upon the world and the salvation of his people. If we put the plagues in sentence form, we find:
Lifeblood is required by way of fastening in a crossing manner and given as an exchange in order to redeem. Rise up Fallen Rock. Increase in us an abundance through death, the death of the Firstborn.
Here, we have the life, death and resurrection of the Messiah as a hidden prophesy, a prophecy that points to none other then Y’shua ha Mashiach, Jesus Christ. In this, we find that the Messiahs death and resurrection is G-ds judgement upon the world and sin. Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!He is risen.
However, with that said, we come to my favorite cup, the second cup, Kos Sheni, the Cup of Judgement. This represents G-ds second "I will" statement. I will judge the Egyptians. It is during this cup, we remember G-ds judgement on Egyptians, which is synonymous with the world and sin.
During this time, we recite the plagues, G-d used to smite the Egyptians for not following G-ds Word.
But before continuing, I would like to remind you of a few verses.
The first verse is John 5:39. This is where Y'shua is telling everyone that when you search the scriptures, you find eternal life and that is testifying of a future Messiah and that is Y'shua, the one and the same that is standing right in front of you.
"You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life."
Also,
"Whom will He teach knowledge? And whom will He make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little" (Isaiah 28:9-10).
and Proverbs 25:2
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."
These last two verses tell us that G-d hides things for his children to discover and that those jewels are not always on the surface, but hidden from plain view.
Now, let's look at the plagues. As we recite them, notice that the first word is the Hebrew, the second is the English and finally, what the word means.
1. DAWM
BLOOD
LIFE
2. TZ'FARDAYAH
FROGS
IS REQUIRED
3. KANE
LICE
BY WAY OF FASTENING IN A CROSSING MANNER
4. AHRAB
FLIES
GIVEN AS AN EXCHANGE
5. MIKNEH
LIVESTOCK
IN ORDER TO BUY OR PURCHASE OR REDEEM
6. SHEK'CHEEN
BOILS
RISE UP OR THRU FIRE BY WAY OF JUDGEMENT
7. BAWRAWD
HAIL
ROCK FROM HEAVEN
8. ARBEH
LOCUST
INCREASE IN US AN ABUNDANCE
9. KHOSHECK
DARKNESS
THROUGH DEATH
10. MAWVETH B'CHOROT
DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN
THE DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN
As seen in different places throughout the Tanakh, the Old Testament, here we find that we are to recite G-ds judgement upon the world and the salvation of his people. If we put the plagues in sentence form, we find:
Lifeblood is required by way of fastening in a crossing manner and given as an exchange in order to redeem. Rise up Fallen Rock. Increase in us an abundance through death, the death of the Firstborn.
Here, we have the life, death and resurrection of the Messiah as a hidden prophesy, a prophecy that points to none other then Y’shua ha Mashiach, Jesus Christ. In this, we find that the Messiahs death and resurrection is G-ds judgement upon the world and sin. Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!He is risen.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Pesach Part Five
The Four Cups of Wine
The four cups of wine represent the four "I wills" of G-d found in Exodus 6:6-8.
"Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rescue you from your bondage, and I will redeem you with out stretched arms, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be your God: "
The first cup is Kos Rishon - The Cup of Sanctification, also called the Cup of Blessing.
This represents the promise from G-d to initially, Israel, and ultimately to all of us. I will separate you from the world as my children. Some say this is the cup of the calling out. G-d is calling out to his people. If you follow me, I will make you holy and sanctified. He is still calling you out of Egypt which represents the world.
After the Kos Rishon, we have the Urchatz, the ceremonial washing. I really love this one. During this washing, we recite Sh'mot(Exodus)30:17-21
"And the Adonai spoke unto Moshe, saying, Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aharon and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the tabernacle of the meeting, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations."
Notice why the priests must wash....so "they die not", be able to "come near to the altar to minister" and worship.
Let's step back and look at the washing. First, the laver of brass symbolizes judgement. The laver was made of brazen mirrors to allow reflection. The water represents the Word of G-d. The laver is to be anointed with oil which represents that which is made holy by G-d. Finally, the feet represent our walk which will be judged according to the walk of Y'shua.
All together, this laver represents the need to wash daily in the Word in order to reflect that which is made holy by G-d through that which was judged by G-d. I'm sorry but there is only one that has fulfilled this laver and that is the one and only B'nai Elohim, the son of G-d, Yeshua ha Mashiach.
We must continually immerse ourselves in the Word of God and walk with G-d in order to be able to come to the alter of G-d, to minister unto others and properly worship our G-d. Only by doing this, we can see the true saved individual whose sin was judged and made holy by G-d.
Shalom
The four cups of wine represent the four "I wills" of G-d found in Exodus 6:6-8.
"Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rescue you from your bondage, and I will redeem you with out stretched arms, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be your God: "
The first cup is Kos Rishon - The Cup of Sanctification, also called the Cup of Blessing.
This represents the promise from G-d to initially, Israel, and ultimately to all of us. I will separate you from the world as my children. Some say this is the cup of the calling out. G-d is calling out to his people. If you follow me, I will make you holy and sanctified. He is still calling you out of Egypt which represents the world.
After the Kos Rishon, we have the Urchatz, the ceremonial washing. I really love this one. During this washing, we recite Sh'mot(Exodus)30:17-21
"And the Adonai spoke unto Moshe, saying, Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aharon and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the tabernacle of the meeting, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations."
Notice why the priests must wash....so "they die not", be able to "come near to the altar to minister" and worship.
Let's step back and look at the washing. First, the laver of brass symbolizes judgement. The laver was made of brazen mirrors to allow reflection. The water represents the Word of G-d. The laver is to be anointed with oil which represents that which is made holy by G-d. Finally, the feet represent our walk which will be judged according to the walk of Y'shua.
All together, this laver represents the need to wash daily in the Word in order to reflect that which is made holy by G-d through that which was judged by G-d. I'm sorry but there is only one that has fulfilled this laver and that is the one and only B'nai Elohim, the son of G-d, Yeshua ha Mashiach.
We must continually immerse ourselves in the Word of God and walk with G-d in order to be able to come to the alter of G-d, to minister unto others and properly worship our G-d. Only by doing this, we can see the true saved individual whose sin was judged and made holy by G-d.
Shalom
Friday, March 12, 2010
Pesach Part Four
Brechat Haner (Kindling of The Candles)
At the beginning of the Seder, the lady of the house lights the candles. The lady of the house always begins the Seder by lighting the candles. According to Rabbinical law, the woman is responsible for putting out the lights in the first place. Therefore, only a woman can turn them on again.
This is a reference to the fact that through Eve, sin was introduced into the world. I find it interesting that Rabbinical law states that only through a woman can sin be ushered out of the world.
In fact, that is exactly how it happened. Through a virgin woman, the mother of Y'shua, Mary, the Messiah was brought into this world. It was through the Messiah, sin was overcome.
I amazes me that my Jewish brothers don't see that this part of the Seder was prophetic and only one candidate has fulfilled it. That is Y'shua, the Messiah, and not only the savior of the world, but the Jewish race.
Beruch habah, Y'shua, b'shem Adonai.
Blessed is he, Y'shua, who comes in the name of the Lord.
Shabbat Shalom
At the beginning of the Seder, the lady of the house lights the candles. The lady of the house always begins the Seder by lighting the candles. According to Rabbinical law, the woman is responsible for putting out the lights in the first place. Therefore, only a woman can turn them on again.
This is a reference to the fact that through Eve, sin was introduced into the world. I find it interesting that Rabbinical law states that only through a woman can sin be ushered out of the world.
In fact, that is exactly how it happened. Through a virgin woman, the mother of Y'shua, Mary, the Messiah was brought into this world. It was through the Messiah, sin was overcome.
I amazes me that my Jewish brothers don't see that this part of the Seder was prophetic and only one candidate has fulfilled it. That is Y'shua, the Messiah, and not only the savior of the world, but the Jewish race.
Beruch habah, Y'shua, b'shem Adonai.
Blessed is he, Y'shua, who comes in the name of the Lord.
Shabbat Shalom
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Pesach Part Three
Prior to Pesach, we are to search out and clean our houses of all leaven. During the searching part, we are to use a candle as our only light. When leaven is found, a feather is used to brush it onto a wooden spoon and placed into a cloth bag. This is done three times or on three consecutive days.
On the morning of the third day, the leaven, bag, feather and wooden spoon is set on fire and consumed completely by the fire. The father is to look to heaven and says, "Heaven Father and my G-d, the purging of leaven from our home is finished. Our home is now ready for your presence."
The symbolism here is so fantastic.
The candle that shines light upon the sin in our lives is symbolic of the Ruach Ha Kodesh, G-ds Holy Spirit.
The feather represents the faithfulness of Y'shua to place himself upon the altar of G-d, the cross, which is represented by the wooden spoon.
The leaven is symbolic of our Meshiach, the Messiah, Y'shua, Jesus Christ who was made sin for us.
The bag respresents the burial cave of the Messiah.
The fire is symbolic of G-ds judgement of our sin on the cross.
Let's step back and look at the ceremony another time.
The candle, G-ds Holy Spirit, convicts us and reveals, the leaven, our sin to us. The feather, which is our faith, and the faithfulness of Y'shua that puts our sin up on the altar of G-d, the cross, the spoon. Our sin upon Y'shua was put into the grave, the bag, for three days. At that time, our sin is judged, symbolized by the fire. It is the three days that sets this apart from all other religions in the world. Because after three days, the Messiah rises from the grave, leaving our sin judged. We are now free to say to the father, "We, our tabernacles, are now ready for the presence of G-d, his Holy Spirit."
Here in the opening ceremony of Pesach, Passover, we have a model of the main elements of G-ds redemptive plan.
My prayer is that our Jewish brothers and sisters eyes will be open to the model of G-ds plan of salvation, given to us to celebrate every year.
On the morning of the third day, the leaven, bag, feather and wooden spoon is set on fire and consumed completely by the fire. The father is to look to heaven and says, "Heaven Father and my G-d, the purging of leaven from our home is finished. Our home is now ready for your presence."
The symbolism here is so fantastic.
The candle that shines light upon the sin in our lives is symbolic of the Ruach Ha Kodesh, G-ds Holy Spirit.
The feather represents the faithfulness of Y'shua to place himself upon the altar of G-d, the cross, which is represented by the wooden spoon.
The leaven is symbolic of our Meshiach, the Messiah, Y'shua, Jesus Christ who was made sin for us.
The bag respresents the burial cave of the Messiah.
The fire is symbolic of G-ds judgement of our sin on the cross.
Let's step back and look at the ceremony another time.
The candle, G-ds Holy Spirit, convicts us and reveals, the leaven, our sin to us. The feather, which is our faith, and the faithfulness of Y'shua that puts our sin up on the altar of G-d, the cross, the spoon. Our sin upon Y'shua was put into the grave, the bag, for three days. At that time, our sin is judged, symbolized by the fire. It is the three days that sets this apart from all other religions in the world. Because after three days, the Messiah rises from the grave, leaving our sin judged. We are now free to say to the father, "We, our tabernacles, are now ready for the presence of G-d, his Holy Spirit."
Here in the opening ceremony of Pesach, Passover, we have a model of the main elements of G-ds redemptive plan.
My prayer is that our Jewish brothers and sisters eyes will be open to the model of G-ds plan of salvation, given to us to celebrate every year.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Pesach Part Two
"Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come." (Exodus 12:17)
We are to celebrate this festival forever. Yes, it is the law. However, we don't do it out of obligation to the law but out of desire to do his will. By living through this celebration, we become intimate with G-d and his plan of salvation. We, as Christians, need to become one with G-d. Celebrating his feasts is instrumental in getting to know your bridegroom.
Tomorrow, we start with the Bedikat Hametz.
Ba-rukh A-tah A-do-nai E-lo-hey-nu Me-lekh ha-'o-lam a-sher kid-sha-nu B'-mi-tzvo-tav v'-tzi-va-nu l'-had-lik ner shel (shabbat) yom tov.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us by your commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the Festival lights. Amen.
We are to celebrate this festival forever. Yes, it is the law. However, we don't do it out of obligation to the law but out of desire to do his will. By living through this celebration, we become intimate with G-d and his plan of salvation. We, as Christians, need to become one with G-d. Celebrating his feasts is instrumental in getting to know your bridegroom.
Tomorrow, we start with the Bedikat Hametz.
Ba-rukh A-tah A-do-nai E-lo-hey-nu Me-lekh ha-'o-lam a-sher kid-sha-nu B'-mi-tzvo-tav v'-tzi-va-nu l'-had-lik ner shel (shabbat) yom tov.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us by your commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the Festival lights. Amen.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Pesach Part One
Over the next few weeks, we will delve into one of the most important festivals that revealed G-ds plan of salvation for all mankind. That festival is none other that Pesach, known as Passover. Pesach celebrates the fact that G-d provides a way to save his people through the death of the first born and an innocent and unblemished lamb. I hope you will join me in exploring the elements of Pesach and, without any biased commentary, see how this festival points to the first born, innocent and unblemished lamb of G-d, Y'shua Ha Mashiach, Jesus, the Messiah.
Shalom Aleichem
Shalom Aleichem
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