THE SEDER part 2

“On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”
Exodus 13:8

We join together again today, picking up from where we left off in our Seder dinner. Following our recounting of the story of Moses being raised up, the ten plagues, and the great exodus out of Egypt, as well as the four questions that are traditionally asked of the children at the table, we move on next to the actions related to the ten plagues. Dipping one’s finger in the cup of wine or juice, a drop of the contents is spilled on the plate for each of the ten plagues as is named. In my study of the Passover, I heard a pastor give more insight on this matter. We grow up knowing the plagues, but have you ever questioned the reason as to why these items were the plagues? Why did G-d turn the Nile to blood? The answer is because the Nile was one over the Egyptians gods. In each of the plagues G-d was showing His power of the gods of Egypt. Darkness came so as to debunk their sun god. Locusts came to weed out the power of the god of their crops. Our G-d showed His power, and for that we dip our finger in the wine and sprinkle it on our plate. In drinking then the remainder of the second cup later on we learn of G-d’s second ‘I will’. “I will free you.”

Now then, let us enjoy the three essentials of the Passover Seder. With the shank bone of the lamb in hand, the leader explains that the lamb was sacrificed for an important reason. The blood from this sacrifice was painted on the doorpost of the home with the hyssop so as to make the declaration that inside that home were worshippers of the true G-d. The lamb was not strangled or bones broken, yet was killed, paving the way for the salvation of the Israelites. And like was recorded in Isaiah concerning our Messiah, He too was not strangled nor a single bone broken, but rather He willing gave Himself as the lamb who took away our sins.

The matzah is then lifted. It is because there was not enough time for the dough to rise that we eat unleavened bread during the feast. As I read this portion in Exodus 12:11, I cannot help but fall in love with G-d all over. In this scripture G-d tells them how to eat, with their cloak tucked into their belt, sandals on, and staff in hand. They had to be ready to leave at any moment. Bread made with yeast takes time to make, therefore, they were forbidden to use yeast because it would slow them down. How wise is G-d to tell them not to use yeast?

A second hand washing is done and next we enjoy, if truly we can say that, the bitter herbs. It is because the Egyptians embittered the lives of our forefathers in Egypt that we remember their pain, persecution, and suffering as we taste the horseradish commonly used. This taste is to bring tears to our own eyes, as the affliction of slavery brought tears to the Israelites’ eyes. Now the second cup is drank, this time in praise, adoration, and reverence of G-d. It is G-d who has brought Israel out of bondage, and has brought us out of bondage as well. We are free from sorrow, mourning, darkness, and servitude, and now step into His marvelous light and life.

Another portion of the meal that needs inclusion and explanation is the charoseth. This dish is made of apples, cinnamon, wine, and sugar, and although sweet in flavor represents Israel’s time in servitude. Charoseth is a symbol of mortar, representing the clay brinks which were made by Israel while they were in Egypt. Taking now from the bottom of the matzah pile, the leader breaks off two pieces for each one at the table. With a taste of bitter herbs and charoseth on the matzah, the bite is taken. The Passover meal is also now served.

Remember the afikomen we talked about in the last post? It was the piece of matzah that was broken and a portion covered in linen and hidden during the meal. Well it is now time to find it. When the child finds the missing matzah, the leader of the celebration must ‘rescue’ it by paying money or a gift to the child. As the child receives the prize, the leader of the table begins to break off pieces for each guest. In the matzah are seen stripes, pokes, and rough sides when broken. It is in this piece then that we see the Messiah’s torture. He was whipped, beaten, pierced, and endured a spear in His side. He suffered death, but not in vain. He took our death penalty so that we may have life. For as Romans says, we all have sinned, and the wages of sin is death (Rom 3:23, 6:23). As we reflect of the matzah, let us not forget what the Messiah suffered in love for us.

It is at this point that a third cup is taken, the cup of redemption. “I will redeem you.” This is G-d’s promise that He would redeem His people from slavery. His promise was that they would not be slaves forever, but that He would buy them back. It was after this cup when taken at the Last Supper that the Messiah stated a new covenant was being made. Soon after, the door is opened and Elijah’s cup is filled. During the meal, an extra table setting has been laid out but not used. This is for Elijah. The door is opened to see if the prophet will come. If Elijah does not come, the door is then closed and the feast moves to its last cup, the cup of praise.

After the cup of praise, the Seder is concluded. The Seder of Passover is complete, even as our salvation and redemption are complete. The lamb has been sacrificed and forgiveness of sin made possible. But our Lamb, the Messiah, has also been sacrificed and forgiveness of sin has been made possible through Him. It is my desire that in this abbreviation of the Seder G-d has been made new to you, and that you find Him this season. May on this day you be among those who, as Exodus 13:8 states, “tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”