Passover
Long ago, our ancestors were oppressed in Egypt until the Most High sent Moses to redeem us by His hand. In the month of Abib, on the 14th day of the month at midnight, Yah sent one last plague on the Egyptians, which left all of the firstborn of the land dead throughout the night. The Most High spared us by the blood of a sacrificed lamb placed on the top and sides of the doors of our houses (Exodus 12). This brought about the first Passover.
Year by year, He commanded the children of Israel to commemorate His deliverance with a celebration starting at sunset on the 14th day of Abib. On this day, we were to sacrifice the Lamb — which was chosen on the 10th day — followed by seven days of eating Unleavened Bread. The 1st and 7th day of the Week of Unleavened Bread are sacred gatherings of rest (high Sabbaths) for saints. The day after the weekly Sabbath, within the Week of Unleavened Bread, is the First Fruit Sheaf Waving. On this day, we take bundles of the first ripe produce of our crops and offer them to the Most High, hoping He will give us more produce like it during the time of harvest. (Leviticus 23:1-14)
All of these things are a shadow of the Messiah. He, being the Passover Lamb crucified on the 14th of Abib (John 1:36, 1 Peter 1:19), rested in His tomb on the high Sabbath and the weekly Sabbath, then rose the day after the Sabbath — the third day — which was the First Fruit Waving (Leviticus 23:11-12, Matthew 28:1, 1 Corinthians 15:20). He also taught us to live without leaven in our lives (Luke 12:1).
All this we observe in the Salvation of Yah offered through the Son.
Second Passover
Yah made a way for people who could not keep Passover on time. If someone was unclean because they touched a dead body, or was far away on a trip, they could keep it one month later. That is the 14th day of the 2nd month (Numbers 9:1-14).
If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto YHWH. The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
Numbers 9:10-11
This was not an excuse to skip Passover. A person who was clean and at home, but did not keep it, would “bear his sin” (Numbers 9:13).
King Hezekiah kept Passover in the 2nd month too. The priests were not ready, and the people had not gathered to Jerusalem in time. So a very great crowd came together and kept it on the 14th day of the 2nd month (2 Chronicles 30:1-3, 13-15).
How to Observe
– On the 10th day of Abib, go see lambs at a petting zoo or look at photos/videos of lambs online.
– Prepare lamb over an open flame (grilled lamb).
– Eat it with unleavened bread and bitter greens, such as kale, mustard greens, etc. (if you are able, share with someone in need).
– Eat it that night; none can be left over. Do not leave any of it until morning.
– Tell the children what this night means: Yahuah passed over the houses marked by the blood, and the Messiah is our Passover Lamb.
– Finish removing leavened bread from the house before the start of Unleavened Bread.
– Mark the front door representing blood on the doorposts (washable paint or draw pictures with kids).
