The Christian Letter, Volume One: Chapter 26
“And when a stranger sojourns among you, then he shall perform the Passover of Yahoweh. He shall do so according to the Law of the Passover and according to its rightruling. You have one Law, both for the stranger and the native of the land.” (Numbers 9:14).
An hour or two before sunset on the end of the 14th (though some celebrate at the beginning), after the new moon has been sighted and the barley is Abib, Christians and Jews around the world observe the Creator’s Passover. I hope and pray that this guide (Haggadah) will help you and your family, and brothers and sisters in the Messiah, celebrate what Yahoshuah asked believers in Him to celebrate in His remembrance. You may use any of the Passover sections of this book as freely as you so chose. It is a joy and an honor to share with you how any believer can become a follower and celebrate Passover. Begin by reading this set up guide, the speaker portion, and the reader portion, to get a feel for Passover. After all, this isn’t an old Jewish tradition. This is Yahoweh’s Feast, and all who love Him are invited. Passover is not Judaism or Christianity … it’s Biblical. The apostle Paul stated in his letter to the Corinthians:
“Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the entire lump? Therefore cleanse out the old leaven, so that you are a new lump, as you are unleavened. For also Messiah our Passover was offered for us. So then let us observe the festival, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of evil and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).
“And you shall guard the Festival of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I brought your divisions out of the land of Mitsrayim. And you shall guard this day throughout your generations, an everlasting law.” (Exodus 12:17).
Set up: The Speaker (the elder husband of the household) will be at the foot of the table along with his wife, and if he has no longer a wife, then his daughter, and if he has neither of these than an appointed guest will be by his side. Do not worry about your Seder being perfect. This is a celebration, not a performance. Be sure that music, TV, and the phone are all off as there should be no distractions. The Passover observance is long, so, if you have guests, and I hope you do, please make sure they know that the meal and time needed is around three hours.
You should have:
Two white candles and a way to light them, or, if you prefer, a seven branched menorah.
Two strings of parsley per person.
One small cup (around one ounce) of saltwater per two to four people.
Three tablespoons (minimum) of Charoseth per person. (Recipes for this and other foods are in the recipe section of this book).
Four servings of grape juice per person. (Alliteratively, a non-sparkling red wine, such as Carmenere, Piont Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, or a table wine, so long as they are vegan, preferably organic, and there is no offence.)
Rather than a lamb bone, we use a strip of homemade matzah used for the telling. (Unleavened bread is referred to as Matzah, as it has no raising agents.)
One teaspoon of fresh white horseradish per person.
One hard-boiled egg for the main Seder plate, dyed red (you’ll see why). (The telling of Passover is often called Seder, which means, “Order.” While the Seder plate usually refers to a special plate, your finest plate will easily suffice.)
You will need plates of Matzah, with five or more Matzah per person, and one whole Matzah, in three parts, each placed in a white linen napkin, with one extra linen napkin.
Have the extra linen (if possible) covered in the essential oil of Myrrh. Sprinkle around ten to twenty drops all over it a few hours before Passover so it will be dry. (Read, “A Saviour is Born,” for the idea behind it.) This is not a common practice, but after the Afikomen has been eaten I pass that linen around after speaking about the Messiah being covered in myrrh. If you are hosting Passover it is also nice to have a large supply of Matzah to hand out to your guests after Passover. In hiding the Afikomen I usually put it in the Torah of a Bible, and will sometimes have a single verse written out as a bookmark for the finder to read. The Bible is a gift for the finder, but any reward can be used if one so chooses to reward.
Be certain to have one seat empty at the head of the table, for which only one glass of wine will be needed. Have pitchers full of water for guests, water glasses, and pitchers full of juice for their juice glasses. Short flowers in short vases are traditional for the table, and provide something that is not a graven image, that shows in great splendor the divine handy work of our Creator. I also leave plates of grapes and other plates of Matzah down the long table if there are many people, or on a small table if guests are few.
Be sure to have a few people who read well for the Haggadah reader portion, and, if you can, have enough copies so each guest can read along in one. The Haggadah Speaker portion should be well known by the Speaker. Use it as a reference to give yourself a quick overview … but speak without looking at the Haggadah too often. It takes more than being able to read to host a Passover. The Words shared need to be the Almighty’s. The Scripture read, and the Ruach, upon your heart. This is a guide, not a script. There is order and certain subjects, but they are His. To Yah be all glory, forever and ever.
The Messiah blessed the cup, and each of His disciples drank from the same cup. We say the blessing over the pitcher of wine or glasses, rather than drinking from the same cup, in case one of our many guests has a known or unknown infection. We have celebrated Passover with six, and we have had the joy of over fifty. If ever it is just my own family, we will take from the same glass and plate.
Be sure to make some of each item, before the Festival, so you can get the taste right, and so you’ll know how much preparation time you will need before Passover. Always take a little extra time so you can be sure to get it done, and, with the items that you can, be sure to have these things prepared the day before Passover evening.
Before Passover begins there is the cleaning of leaven from the home. If we have bread in the freezer, yeast in the refrigerator, or crackers in the pantry, we must eat them before Passover, or burn them. We do a thorough vacuuming of our home, paying special attention to the sofa and chairs where crumbs may be hiding. This represents the hidden sin in our lives. The effort of purging represents the effort we must apply to overcome those sins that so easily eluded our knowledge thereof (Hebrews 12:11).
The Hebrew for, “getting rid of leaven,” and, “burning leaven,” is the same, “BiurChametz.” Giving away leaven is not sufficient; it must be destroyed. There is one Law for Jew and stranger alike. Causing your brother to stumble is not removing the leaven from your house, only increasing it in your heart. It must be destroyed.
It is often silently wondered why the disciples did nothing about Judas. They knew that he had dipped his hand in with the Messiah. They saw him leave. Why didn’t they do anything? There is an interesting difference in the Hebrew Matthew that may explain this quite clearly: “He, answering, said, ‘He who dips his hand with Me in the dish, shall sell Me.’ All were eating from the same dish; therefore, they did not recognize him. If they had recognized him, they would have destroyed him.” (Matthew 26:23). You see, all of them were eating from the same dish, and all of them, just like us, sold Him. Some of the disciples sold Him to keep their lives, some sold Him in exchange for fear, and one for coins worth less than his life. When we walk apart from Him, we sell Him, we exchange the Word for the World.
Exodus 12:21-24 reads, “And Mosheh called for all the elders of Yisra’el and said to them, ‘Go out and take lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and slaughter the Passover lamb. And 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 you, none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. And Yahoweh shall pass on to smite the Mitsrites, and shall see the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, and Yahoweh shall pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to smite you. And you shall guard this word as a law for you and your sons, forever.’”
Deuteronomy 16:5 reads, “You are not allowed to slaughter the Passover within any of your gates which Yahoweh your Elohim gives you,” Wait a minute. We are to place it on our doorposts forever, but now the Lamb is to be sacrificed only in the Tabernacle? Is there to be nothing on the doorframes? After the temple’s destruction in 70 A.D. lambs were no longer eaten during Passover. Did the Word of the most Powerful fade away?
Genesis 22:8 reads, “And Abraham said, ‘My son, Elohim will provide Himself a Lamb for a burnt offering,’ and so the two of them went together.” Who is the Passover? And what has been a symbol of His blood for over four thousand years? The third cup of wine. There is a physical doorpost and there is the temple, an altar, in our bodies. Yahoshuah’s blood (life is in the blood) is within me through drinking the fruit of the vine. Maybe not literality, but Spiritually He is there.
If you were wondering why I’ve not yet mentioned having lamb, then you have not read the Letter called, “For the Love of Animals”. In it, I cover many questions concerning eating lamb on Passover. Please read it before hosting your Passover to avoid making a common mistake. Our Lamb is Yahoshuah, the Prince of Peace, not un-Biblically prepared lamb buttocks.
“It is good not to eat meat or drink wine, nor to do whatever by which your brother stumbles.” (Romans 14:21). Was the Messiah not a good enough sacrifice? Do we need to have lamb at our table? Only if Yahoshuah is not the Passover Lamb should you do this. He is mine and He can be yours too!
Alas, I report it with great regret, those who desire to keep the Passover, which Yahoshuah commanded, does not have Christianity to turn to so they may know how to keep it, and so they then turn to Jews who do not yet fully know the One Lamb Yahoweh provided. Because of this, many fall into sin by adding a blemished lamb wrongfully prepared, and without due need. Again, if you have not, then I strongly urge you to read the letter, “For the Love of Animals,” for while many know that what we eat effects our bodies, it is also true, and perhaps more potently so, that it effects our souls as well.
“It is good not to eat meat or drink wine …” Is the fruit of the vine required to be alcoholic in content? Must you be drunk for joy? Only if the Holy Spirit is not welcome. It is fair to have a little wine, but not at the expense of a guest. Always be certain that they know you will be serving low alcoholic wine with the option of juice, and that if wine offends them then you will remove it and only have juice. I feel we should on this occasion have wine, but to deny a guest the message of Passover for a little drink is foolish at best.
A note on humility: “You who say, ‘Do not steal,’ do you steal?” … At Passover you need to walk like the Messiah. Yes, the Messiah said some hard things during the Passover, but He also was the most humble. The Messiah washed the feet of His students. But this isn’t just a need because the sandals they wore let their feet get dirty. Luke 7:36-47 shows us that the Messiah saw the humility from a sinful woman as valuable, and that He was disappointed that Simon did not offer to wash His feet, nor kiss his beard, nor give an anointing of oil. The Rabbi teaches that to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little, but we have been forgiven all. This is indeed a great amount and thus ought, if we know it to be true, result in sincere humility. The Messiah didn’t just teach the Torah; He lived it. In John 13 we see the Messiah, the Righteous King, washed the feet of His disciples. He didn’t do so as a normal servant would, but rather a slave. He took off His clothes, (except His undergarments, consisting of pants that would come to the knee), and wrapped a towel around His waist (which He used to dry their feet), knelt down, and accepted the lowest position of a slave. Had we walked by and seen Him, it is doubtful that many would recognize Him as King. If the Messiah does not bathe us once (baptism / death and resurrection with Him) and wash our feet (from our steps in the world) often, we have no part of Him. Peter learned this, and while it takes humility to wash the feet of men, in my heart, I feel it does not compare to the humility needed to let the King of kings wash mine. But … it must be done. Before Passover, you must let the Bridegroom wash your feet.
“So when He had washed their feet and taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Master, and you say well, for I am. Then if I, Master and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is an emissary greater than he who sent him. If you know these teachings, blessed are you if you do them.’” (John 13:12-17). Please read all of John 13 and be blessed, “if you do them.”
Have water and towels to wash your guests and family’s feet with. (Be sure to be sanitary. Use a different rag for each person’s feet, and be sure to also note that if the person has foot fungus or other such ailments that they may wear shoes with their medicine. Pray over them instead. Sometimes this great reward, this blessing, is bestowed upon the younger generation when we have a large Feast. However, I make sure I wash at least one person’s, even if I am busy. Others will kiss the beard and anoint with fragrance the one brow of our guests. (We use frankincense or lavender mixed with almond oil so it does not burn the skin.)
Begin praying now for the Holy Spirit to work in you to guide this wonderful celebration, and to be with each one of you over the next several days so that no one will profane His Sabbaths and Festivals. Take some time each day. And during the Seder be sure to always take a few moments, or more, in between each part of the telling to allow the taste of His Word to linger in tongue and heart.
Passover itself is not a time of arguing over doctrine or Truth. This is Passover. Let no arguing take place. Let everyone be agreed before the festival.
My Haggadah is not a required text that must be read to fulfill the requirement of commemorating our redemption from Egypt; such a text does not exist or it would have been commanded in the Torah.
Note: If you have a group of people who are well aware of the dangers of Easter, communion, and worshiping Him our way rather than His way, then spend more time reading Exodus. Always study the Word, and occasionally look to see if someone has been blessed with a better understanding. You can say other things; expound more on some portions and less on others. Go as the Spirit leads but be cautious. Check His Word.
I usually give out a small invitation to people considering joining. Sometimes I give them to small churches, though I prefer people who have had some Sabbaths with us or on their own. Sometimes I just invite the people who invite themselves. Here is the invitation I give them:
Shalom! We would be delighted to have you as fellow guests at His Passover Seder at _____________ this __/__/___ at ____ PM sharp. Be prepared to share in what our Messiah said to do in remembrance of Him. It changed my life forever and I pray the same for you. There are a few things that you need to do before celebrating, though. Some may think to be offended. Some may like to think it’s silly. But please look to His Word as Holy and complete this invitation. With your name signed, this card will be a ticket to one of the most powerful nights of your life. But if you do not agree then speak with me before Passover or after it. If you partake of Passover in a manner other than His way, Paul warns of a great danger.
Attire: sandals (you do not need to wear them if you have foot ailments. If you have no sandals, please become barefoot when entering), a non-leather belt, a staff / walking stick, and comfortable clothing. (Please do not wear perfume, as natural light scents will be given, and some of our guests are allergic to various fragrances.)
I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 11:26-34, Exodus 12, Ezekiel 44:9, and other passages concerning the Passover in Exodus, Matthew, and Revelation, to make sure you celebrate this Feast properly. Please remove the leaven from your house, both literal and figuratively. Submit flesh and spirit to His Word. The meal will be late, thus, to avoid thoughts of stomach, please eat a little before attending. Passover is a Sabbath so please do not buy on this day, offer to donate, or bring food items. All food items are specific and will already be prepared.
John 17:11 says, “And I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Set-apart Father, guard them in Your Name which You have given Me, so that they might be one, as We are.” Yahoshuah (Jesus) is the Name of the Messiah. The Name means “Yahoweh is Saviour”. Yahoshuah (sounds: Yah-o-shoe-ah). Yahoweh (the Father) (sounds: Yah-o-v/way). His Word is true in that the Saviour bears the Name of the Father. We ask that for this night you please give His Name a chance and embrace the joy of calling Him by Name during Passover. We ask this for the sake of love.
What is the bitter sop the disciples dipped their Matzah (unleavened bread) in at the Messiah’s last Passover? What does the meal mean? Why is there more than one cup of wine / juice? What is the meaning of the three pieces of Matzah? What is its full meaning in the kingdom of Heaven? What is this Passover? … Who is this Passover?
_____________________________________________________ Accepts The Father’s Invitation!
Please let us know how many you will be bringing, by __/__/____ if possible, so my wife and I can prepare properly for your attendance. Our phone number is _____________
I truly do hope and pray to see all of you there. This is not communion or Easter. There are zero similarities. This is not just for Jews back in the day. This is worth missing work or a game for, it is worth missing a meeting or resetting an appointment. This is what the Messiah yearns to share with you!
You are invited to discuss any questions and see a short video on the Exodus at ____________ on __/__/___at ____ PM. I would like those who want to volunteer their reading services to attend. I require attendance for any of the youth who want to volunteer. Why? Because you are needed for a task only slaves would perform.
End of Invitation
If someone cannot be a part a part of the Seder because they are unclean for the reason of touching a dead body, on a journey and are, therefore, unable to perform the Passover remembrance, (genuine reasons, not, “I needed to work overtime.”) then I host a second Seder and add to the invitation, right at the beginning after, “Shalom,” the following:
“And Yahoweh spoke to Moshe, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Yisra’el, saying, ‘When any male of you or your generations is unclean for a being, or is far away on a journey, he shall still perform the Passover of Yahoweh. On the fourteenth day of the second month, between the evenings, they perform it—with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they eat it. They do not leave of it until morning, and they do not break a bone of it. According to all the laws of the Passover they perform it.’” (Numbers 9:9-12).
What a Wonderful Torah of Grace! Mercy is indeed a weightier matter of Torah, and Yahoweh is merciful towards us all.
When it boils right down to it, each Gospel is very short. Yet more than a whole chapter is devoted to Passover, and there are many snippets prior leading up to Passover. What a joy He is and, oh, how much we lose when we toss away this rehearsal of Salvation.
Some years, depending on who has joined us, and most importantly as His Spirit leads, I do not mention the egg at all, or look for Elijah. Sometimes hand washing is replaced with prayers all around the table. Feet washing is sometimes done during the meal, like the Messiah did. I seldom go over how the plagues where real as I talk about that with people prior. Sometimes we speak of Judas and the prophecies concerning him and how we too could fall away if not watchful. Regardless, I hope these Letters give you a good place to start.
I hope you enjoy Passover. I can’t imagine life without it. I look forward to next year’s Passover right after Passover, and I remember clearly every one of them we have had. Each one was with different people in a different place. Attend or host the Sabbath called Passover this year.
Who would be able to stop celebrating the true reason behind lasting joy? Who would not desire to follow Him?
There may be troubles, but if we keep our thoughts on Yahoweh, then His joy in our hearts will be unquenchable by crying kids, burnt matzah, or any realization. Though, I can honestly say, I have never had an ill moment at Passover, but perhaps it is a perspective thing. We were glad to have kids, and glad to have matzah, and joyful to have a Saviour.
There once was a woman who thought herself low. She looked up to the Master and asked, and when denied but once, she said, “Even the dogs eat the scraps from the Master’s table.” The head of the table is for our Master, and I long to someday—oh, if given such an honor—to give up my seat, and sit by His Feet with that woman, and others like her, and I dare say even side-by-side with actual dogs, as we hear His telling, every year, in the Great Kingdom of Elohim.
Shalom to you as you walk as He walked, and remember it well that Yahoweh never misses His Festivals.
Shalom
Be Blessed and be a Blessing
Shalom
-Valentine Thalken Billingsley
If this blessed you, please share it.
Additional Scripture References:
Leviticus 23:5, Numbers 9:2-3, Deuteronomy 16:1, Luke 22:7-8, 1 Peter 3:15
