Present-day, many Jews still celebrate passover with a seder, a long dinner composed of Matzah (unleavened bread), karpas, maror, charoset, zero'ah, and beitza.
The karpas is one of the vegetables on the seder plate. This green vegetable is the symbol of rebirth and rejuvenation.
Maror is the bitter herb that reminds us of the embittered lives of the slaves. In one part of the seder, you make a Hillel sandwich made with two pieces of matza, maror and charoset.
The charoset is a pasty mixture of nuts, dates, apples, wine and cinnamon. This mixture reminds of the mortar the Israelites used to make the pyramids for the Pharoahs.
On the eve of Passover, the Jews were instructed by God to sacrifice a lamb, have it for the meal, and paint the blood on the doorpost of their house. Now on our seder plate we use a shankbone to remind us of the lamb they sacrificed.
The beitzah, or egg, is another symbol of spring, or new beginning. Some animals are born from eggs, and the beitzah also reminds us that the Israelites were reborn when they left. The beitzah is also a symbol of the hagigah, or second offering that was made on the eve of Passover.
At the seder at my school the most powerful part for me was the Dayenu song, literally meaning "It would have been enough". Passage by passage the song goes through a series of blessings that God granted to the Israelites and proclaims that if the Lord had given them that alone; it would have been sufficient. Yet, God gave more and over and over again blessed his people. This song reminded me deeply of God’s grace and mercy on us to this day through his beloved Son and the blessings that he has promised are yet to come.
On the night before Jesus was crucified, he celebrated the Passover with his disciples. With guest of honor, Judas, seated on his left (after must conflict between the disciples as to who was the greatest..they settled upon him for reasons left unsaid...maybe because he was the money guy, the most scholarly, trustworthy, or from Jerusalem), he shared his very last meal before his death.
This must have been a time of anguish for Jesus. Spending time with the disciples whom he loved, knowing that soon he would be gone, and this bunch of nobodys who were still fighting about who was the greatest among them, would spread his good news to the world.
Yet in his last moments, knowing well that the time had come, he still chose to serve. Jesus chose to bend his knee and wash the disciples feet, a powerful display of service. Little did these men seated beside him know, that just 14 hours later this man would be nailed upon a cross and they would have deserted his side. Even knowing this, and understanding the situation at hand, Jesus loved.
One of my favorite stories is that of Jesus in Gethsemane before the Upper room discourse, after being welcomed over the moutn of olives by men and women singing "hosanna, king of kings". Jesus wept. He wept over Jerusalem. They didn't understand. He cried for his people, whom he loved so dearly, because they didn't get it. He came as a suffering servant and not as a conquering king. They were ready for him to overthrow, but he was preparing to suffer and die.
As I watched as hundreds took communion at our Good Friday Service at church, I couldn't help but wonder...do we really understand who Jesus is? Do I? Do they? It hurt my heart and brought me to tears. Even now, as tears fall, I wonder, "Lord, do they get it. Do they really understand what this day means? Does the words of communion penetrate their hearts. Or is today just a "church day"". I am guilty just the same. My heart is callous, and my mind prone to wander.
Oh Lord,
I long to know you, intimately, passionately, deeply. I fail and I desert, running away at first fearful thought. Father forgive me, help me to understand. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and words to say taht I might glorify you with my every breath. Lord, I beg you, for the sake of your children, Reveal yourself to us, help us to understand. Father give me faith like Moses, to hold fast to you, to choose you over the pleasures of sin and to look forward to an eternal hope. Indwell in my heart and mind, and consume me that I might speak truth to your chosen. Though i am flawed, a nobody, and unworthy of your grace, you have chosen me. Praise your name. Thank you for opening my eyes. For your glory, take my life. Pick me, choose me. I am willing.
Your beloved servant
