Celebrating Passover & Unleavened Bread 2023
The spring festivals are drawing close; Pesach (Passover), The Feast of Unleavened Bread and First Fruits — are you ready for this amazing time of the year?
In this study, we will be covering what we understand about celebrating Pesach (Passover) and the unleavened bread feast, in our current generation. We will discuss the basics; the ‘how’ the ‘why’; meal specifics, timing and even some of the more controversial questions such as; are we allowed to keep this feast outside of Jerusalem? Should we eat lamb during Pesach in light of Messiah being the lamb?
As we we will discuss shortly, the most important part of of this feast is to honor our Messiah, the Son of Yah, who offered himself up for us, that we may have freedom from sin and eternal life. Lastly, we will distinctly see how this appointed time plays into future prophecy, and I truly believe is the day of deliverance we are waiting for, once again.
On the calendar we follow, the new year will begin on the evening of Mar 22nd (link to how we understand his calendar). For some of you, this may have become routine by now. However, according to many emails, messages and comments, for some, this will be your first time keeping his set-apart days, this is amazing! Regardless of where you are in your walk right now, it is my goal that you may glean solid information as to the history, timing, and prophetic implications for this feast. Most importantly, it is my assignment to help you properly keep these most excellent days that Yahuah has given us to remember, forever!
History
Let’s start with the account of the Passover in Egypt. We will read from Exodus chapter 12 and 13. At this point in the reading, 9 plagues have already come upon the Egyptians and one was soon to come. Reading Exodus 12-15 is a must (in my opinion) for any Passover gathering. It is one of the greatest and most powerful stories ever told! This is the finest way we can honor Him without the leaven of man-made traditions. Certainly, reading it with zeal will make it more appealing for the children!
I will be only be reading from chapters 12 and 13 in the video. Your homework is to read 12-15 for yourself in preparation for this amazing feast. In short, the Passover and Exodus story relates to us even today. We are freed of sin by the blood of the lamb, and spiritually taken into the wilderness to be tested. Will we be able to enter the promised land, New Jerusalem? This week of festivities is all about deliverance from bondage (sin), gathered by Yah from slavery, and the journey to the promised land through many miracles (Red Sea)!
For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Mitsrayim (Egypt) by Mosheh (Moses). But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom swore he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that disobeyed? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Hebrews 3:16-4:2,11
If you are new to this walk of faith and obedience, I know it can be overwhelming at first. No one can expect you to get everything correct right away. This walk takes time and patience (just like a tender plant growing), don’t let anyone stress you out. If you have more questions along this walk (and you will), please see this ‘basics of the way’ playlist, it may help you along the way:
Why We Still Celebrate Today
If you’re reading this (or watching the video), perhaps you already understand that we are not called to celebrate the holidays of the world: Christmas, Easter and others. If not, here is a good video to consider:
These holidays have been mixed with pagan practices, just as it was thousands of years ago. This is what Yahuah said about worshiping him that way:
“Take heed to yourself that you be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before you; and that you inquire not after their elohiym, saying, How did these nations serve their elohiym? even so will I do likewise. You shall not do so unto YAHUAH: for every abomination to YAHUAH, which he hates, have they done unto their elohiym…”
Deuteronomy 12:30-31
Here is the everlasting command to keep these festivals:
And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to YAHUAH throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever
Exodus 12:14
Nevertheless, some have said that we cannot do Passover today due to this other command:
You may not kill the Pesach within any of your gates, which Yahuah your Elohim gives you: But at the place which Yahuah your Elohim shall choose to place his name in, there you shall kill the Passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that you came forth out of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 16:5-6
Considering we aren’t in the promised land anymore, and most of us aren’t journeying to Jerusalem, what are we to do today? We have one command that tells us to keep it forever, then another that says we can only do it in Jerusalem. Here, I offer my opinion. The command in Deuteronomy 16 was given to the people that were about to inherit the promised land; the inheritance that they gained, but then lost and forfeited due to disobedience. We are now in dispersion – back in Egypt, spiritually. I would humbly suggest that the command to do Passover throughout your generations supersedes the other. Consider that almost immediately after the command was given to keep it only in Jerusalem, Joshua and all the Israelites kept it in Gilgal (not Jerusalem).
And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the Pesach on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho
Joshua 5:10
Did Joshua decide to completely ignore the command Moses just gave in Deuteronomy 16? Or did he realize that command was given for when they were in the land?
Let us also keep in mind that the real reason Yahuah would want them to come to Jerusalem every year was because that’s where he dwelt; his presence was to be located in that temple. However, we know through the prophets, that things would eventually change.
Howbeit the most High dwells not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will you build me? says Yahuah: or what is the place of my rest? Has not my hand made all these things?
Acts 7:48-50 (Stephen quoting Isaiah 66)
Also:
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them
Matthew 18:20
and
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of Elohim, and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you?”
1 Corinthians 3:16
Brothers and sisters, the Ruach Ha’qodesh dwells in us – his name has been placed upon us. He is with us – we are no longer looking to be reunited in physical Jerusalem, but New Jerusalem, which is to be revealed with Messiah Yahusha. It is my conclusion that we should be observing Passover like the Israelite’s did in captivity, when they were in Egypt; waiting for deliverance as we are today.
Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Yahusha said unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. You don’t know what you worship: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. Elohim is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:20-24
How We Celebrate Today
Before we get into the details, I must say, we have to be very cautious about traditions. The majority of set-apart believers today have left modern-day Christianity, which we know is littered with man-made teachings that you can’t find in the scriptures. What has been extremely unfortunate, is that some have left false modern day christian traditions, and sprinted all the way over to the other extreme — into Judaism. Growing up in this religion, I can tell you that Judaism is riddled with even more man-made teachings! These are the very things Yahusha (Messiah) rebuked in his day. Consider even more traditions have been added over the past 2,000 years.
With this word of caution, I think we ought to tread carefully with respect to the Passover meal. Some man-made traditions added to the Passover meal include: The seder plate (they don’t eat of the lamb… think about that for a moment), the ‘commanded’ four cups of wine, the afiokmen, and leaving a seat empty for Elijah (who’s coming was fulfilled with John the Baptist).
These traditions are not found in Torah and need to be thrown out the window. Drinking wine is not prohibited by Torah. However, I’ve seen first-hand that for some people, 4 cups = drunkenness. Some of these ceremonies and rituals can be really fun, I get it, I had a great time as a child. Although, I think it’s time we learned our lesson – let’s do it his way. After all, it’s all about him, not us.
You hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draws close unto me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Matthew 15:7-9
Considering none of us want to worship him in vain, we will be sticking to the food Yahuah outlined for us to eat.
And they shall eat the flesh in that night (lamb), roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it
Exodus 12:8
Timing
Here is the commandment in Leviticus:
These are the feasts of YAHUAH, even holy assemblies, which ye shall proclaim in their appointed times. In the fourteenth day of the first month at evening is YAHUAH’S Pecach (Passover). And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread unto YAHUAH: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have a holy assembly: ye shall do no servile work therein. But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YAHUAH seven days: in the seventh day is a holy assembly: ye shall do no servile work therein.
Leviticus 23:4-9
The Passover meal is to be killed/cooked by the evening of the 14th, and eaten at night, at the (beginning of the)15th of the month. This feast starts the week of Unleavened bread and continues for 7 full days.
Here are more verses confirming that the entirety of the feast is seven literal days, not eight as Judaism has espoused. Link If you do some research, you’ll find out that Rabbinical Jews added the eighth day that is still commemorated by many in the Torah community.
Prior to the the Passover meal, all your leavened breads (and sourdough starters) in the house should be tossed in the garbage. After the week of Unleavened bread, you can purchase more. Yes, I know your sourdough starter is amazing and it’s tough to let it go, but obedience to the Word is more important! Here is a short video by Zach Bauer explaining what is, and what is not real leaven.
The Calendar
Let’s face it, we all want to be celebrating this most set apart feast on the right day, yet there is a multitude of calendars out there. Who has it right? Well, we all think we do, or hope to at least. Here is the real test, do we have love and patience with one another as we all grow? I think we should be overjoyed at the fact that tens of thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands of people are coming back to his ancient path, and wanting to celebrate his feasts. Imagine if you had the right calendar, but wrong heart about it, how embarrassing.
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see Yahuah.”
Hebrews 12:14
With that being said, our congregation will be celebrating from the evening of Apr 5th (Passover meal at sunset, into the night) and keeping the week of unleavened bread until the evening of Apr 12th. Evening to Evening is how Yahuah taught us to count seven days, during this feast.
First fruits will be the evening of Apr 8th to the evening on Apr 9th. Here is a video on how we can commemorate first fruits (not a Sabbath).
If you would like some help pinpointing the correct dates to celebrate this year and how I arrived at these dates, here are some resources:
How To Calculate The Feast Days (Article)
The Meal
The scriptures keep it simple, and that’s how we’ll be doing it. The meals that follow after Passover, during the week of unleavened bread, you can get fancy (no leavened bread though), but let’s stick to the Word:
And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remains of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is YAHUAH’S Pecach (Passover).
Exodus 12:8-11
Lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs, that’s it.
I know some of you out there are vegetarian and or vegan; I get it, I was vegetarian for years. Consider that this is a command in the Torah. Could you stomach one or two bites to honor him? One might say, Messiah Yahusha is the Passover lamb and fulfilled this requirement, couldn’t we also then say he fulfilled all the commandments and we no longer need to do those either? Keep in mind, he is also our unleavened bread (life sustaining food without doctrine of men), do we then get rid of that? Just something to consider, I’m not here to tell you what to do, or what not to do. I’m just here as a brother to help when and where I can.
Most of us are not livestock owners, so it may be difficult to butcher the lamb ourselves, which is totally understandable. This is not a sacrifice, this is preparation for a meal. If you are going to get your meat somewhere, I would recommend doing your homework prior to your purchase. We should care where the meat came from and how it was handled. Was the blood drained properly? Was it processed in a plant that is Halal? This is a very intense subject that needs to be discussed, as our creator put in safe handling instructions for meat. Halal is a practice of slaughtering animals in a scriptural way (draining the blood), which is good, however there is much speculation as to some of the other particulars of this practice. Please, do your own research.
But I have a few things against you, because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Bil’am, who taught Balaq to cast a stumbling block before the children of Yashar’el, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Revelation 2:14
The enemies of Yahuah are acting like Bil’am on a worldwide scale: A constant barrage of convincing the masses to walk in error to the Most High’s ways — including food.
Halal meats are flooding our country and this world, and there are first hand accounts of workers in these processing plats that attest they are slaughtered in the name of allah. For me, it’s not worth the risk of eating something slaughtered to another god. Moreover, some meat processing plants do not slaughter biblically, but strangle or electrocute the animals, which is strictly forbidden (see Acts 15).
Ultimately, the decision where you get your lamb from (and any future meat) is between you and Yahuah, I’m not here to judge anyone. Do a little bit of investigation, you may be able to source local farmers who slaughter and butcher the animals the right way, it may be worth your effort.
Regardless of where you source the lamb meat, it needs to be roasted in fire, and the trusty barbecue is perfect! I would recommend keeping this part as close to scripture as it is possible for you to do. Also, whatever remains after the meal is over, again, if you can, burn it in fire.
“And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remains of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire”
Exodus 12:10
Unleavened Bread:
There are so many recipes out there! Here’s my recommendation, in the weeks leading up to Pesach, try different recipes and get a feel for how you prefer it. Here’s the recipe I like:
4 cups of fresh milled flour, 2/3 cup water, 2/3 cup olive oil, salt to taste. Knead. Make into 4-5″ flattened circles. 450 8-15 min (oven’s and altitudes vary). When you see it begin to turn golden brown, take it out.
- I would avoid recipes using honey or sugar.
You can also buy premade matza crackers or even some healthier options of tortillas. Honestly, I found the homemade unleavened bread quite delicious, and worth the effort. If you’re a pizza lover, making flatbread pizza’s throughout the week (not the Pesach meal) is quite tasty!
If you’ll be making your own unleavened bread, I’d love the opportunity to change your life with this video; introduced to me by Nathan and Chelsea Reynolds.
Milling our own grain is the way to go — I’ll never go back to store bought flour. If you watch the video, you’ll know why 🙂
Bitter Herbs:
There has been some discussion as of late that the bitter herbs are an insertion and that this word actually means that the feast was to be observed in bitterness. Alongside this, some have said that the whole week of unleavened bread – you are to eat unleavened bread only, as in no other foods whatsoever. Here is my study and conclusion on the matter (in love, I do not agree with these claims): https://pofthevineyard.wpengine.com/feast-of-unleavened-bread-joy-or-mourning/
And the children of Yashar’el that were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised YAHUAH day by day, singing with loud instruments unto YAHUAH.
2nd Chronicles 30:21
Back on track:
Bitter herbs can come in many forms, lettuce, parsley, dandelion leaves and many others. A few years ago, I enjoyed making a salad from a combination of dandelions and parsley. Last year, at our local gathering, we ate chimichurri. This command is sort of wide open, especially since we are in dispersion and have varied availability, depending on where we are in the world. Gathering free and healthy options that Yahuah provides for us around our homes is always fun for the whole family. Always check to make sure what you are gathering is safe and healthy. Here in the Missouri Ozarks, dandelion and purple dead nettle come in abundance during this season, and is very yummy. What’s in your area?
Wine:
While wine isn’t commanded here, it was consumed during the feast:
And all the families of Mitsrayim wept upon that night, each man for his son and each man for his daughter, being the firstborn, and the tumult of Mitsrayim was heard at a distance on that night. And Bathia the daughter of Phar`oh went forth with the king on that night to seek Mosheh and Aharon in their houses, and they found them in their houses, eating and drinking and rejoicing with all Yashar’el.
Yashar (Jasher) 80:48-49
Also:
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom
Matthew 26:27-29
Messiah didn’t hate or reject wine. Consider his first miracle was turning water into wine. Remember, the grape harvest was almost 6 months prior – the only way to preserve grape juice at that time was fermentation, which created wine (with alcohol). You don’t have to drink alcohol, but I would recommend having some juice, if you abstain from alcohol (nothing wrong with that). Tart cherry juice is a good option for you nazarites out there.
Eaten in Haste/Anticipation:
And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is YAHUAH’S Pecach (Passover).
Exodus 12:11
I think this is a good time to discuss the prophetic implications of Pesach. While Yahusha our Messiah has fulfilled these feasts, (He was sacrificed on Passover, entombed on, and was our Unleavened Bread and rose on First Fruits) there is still a future fulfillment.
Removed from the Masoretic text, (what the KJV, Cepher and other popular translations come from) but left intact in the Greek Septuagint text (roughly 1,100 years older), there is a prophecy about another regathering — the big one that we are all waiting for; some may call it the 2nd Exodus. The Septuagint only, gives us the timing of this prophecy. This passage is found in Jeremiah 38:8, which is the equivalent of Jeremiah 31:8 in the Masoretic:
Masoretic:
Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travails with child together: a great company shall return here.
Jeremiah 31:8 Masoretic
Septuagint:
Behold, I bring them from the north, and will gather them from the end of the earth to the feast of the Passover: and the people shall beget a great multitude, and they shall return here.
Jeremiah 38:8 Septuagint
Every year, for the rest of my existence, I will be hoping this will be the Pesach we’ve been waiting for!! With this in mind, I will be ready to go; “loins girded”, and bags packed. Below is a fun fact
That day will be greater and more widely discussed than the Passover and the Exodus of ancient times:
Therefore, behold, the days come, says Yahuah, that they shall no more say, Yahuah lives, which brought up the children of Yashar’El out of the land of Egypt; But, Yahuah lives, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Yashar’El out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
Jeremiah 23:7-8
Come, Messiah Yahusha, gather your people!
Celebration Specifics:
The week of unleavened bread has two Sabbaths, the first and seventh days. The evening of the 5th of Apr (on the calendar I follow) until the evening of the 6th is a Sabbath. Likewise the evening of Apr 11th to the evening of Apr 12th is a Sabbath. If you are on a different calendar, be sure to check for these days. No work is to be done, except food preparation, and it is also a Holy Convocation; a public gathering for worship. I know not all of you can gather in person, but perhaps look for an online gathering as a secondary option. We will be attempting to live-stream our local gathering.
Sacrifices (offerings):
But you shall offer an offering made by fire unto Yahuah seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein
Leviticus 23:8
Here are some scriptures giving us guidance on what we do today.
You also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to Elohim by Yahusha Ha’Mashiach
1 Peter 2:5
Wherefore Yahusha also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to Elohim continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices Elohim is well pleased.
Hebrew 13:12-16
This should be a week-long festival of joy, giving praise and thanks to his name; something we should honestly be doing every day, but even more so, during this festival.
And the children of Yashar’el that were present at Yerushalayim kept the Feast of Matstsah seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised YAHUAH day by day, singing with loud instruments unto YAHUAH.
2 Chronicles 30:21
This is what we will be doing at our Pesach celebration. You’re invited.
Yahusha: Our Spotless Passover Lamb
Speak ye unto all the congregation of Yashar’El, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
Exodus 12:3-5
Forasmuch as you know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Messiah, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1 Peter 1:18-19
The next day John saw Yahusha coming unto him, and said, Behold the Lamb of Elohim, which takes away the sin of the world.
John 1:29
Who has believed our report? And to whom is the arm of Yahuah revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of Elohim, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Yahuah has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.
Isaiah 53:1-7
And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin
1 John 3:5
- Yahusha had no blemish, no sin.
In one house shall it be eaten; you shall not carry forth any of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall you break a bone of it.
Exodus 12:46
He keeps all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Psalm 34:20
But when they came to Yahusha, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knows that he says the truth, that you might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
John 19:33-36
None of the lamb remains until morning:
And you shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remains of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.
Exodus 12:10
Now upon that certain Sabbath, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. And they entered in, and found not the body of Adonai Yahusha
Luke 24:1-3
His Body Was Wholly Consumed!
Eating the Flesh of the Passover
And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the entrails
Exodus 12:8-9
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat. Then Yahusha said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eats me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eats of this bread shall live for ever.
John 6:52-58
This is a great time to transition into: Yahusha is also our Unleavened Bread, but before we do, consider what he just said, “so he that eats me, even he shall live by me”. Considering we know he is the Word made flesh:
After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall you not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall you not do: neither shall you walk in their ordinances. You shall do my right-rulings, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am Yahuah your Elohim. You shall therefore keep my statutes, and my right-rulings: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am Yahuah.
Leviticus 18:3-5
And I gave them my statutes, and showed them my right-rulings, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.
Ezekiel 20:11
Yahusha: The Unleavened Bread
They said therefore unto him, What sign will you show then, that we may see, and believe you? What do you work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Yahusha said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of Elohim is he which comes down from heaven, and gives life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Adonai, evermore give us this bread. And Yahusha said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. And they said, Is not this Yahusha, the son of Yoceph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he says, I came down from heaven? Yahusha therefore answered and said unto them, murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of Elohim. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes unto me. Not that any man has seen the Father, save he which is of Elohim, he has seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me has everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 6:30-51
Expounded at the Last Supper:
Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where do you want us to go and prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when you are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he enters in. And you shall say unto the good man of the house, The Master says unto you, where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? And he shall show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat of it, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of Elohim. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of Elohim shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.
Luke 22:7-20
When we eat the unleavened bread, we should be remembering Messiah, just as we should do with the lamb and the wine. If you’re eating with family or friends, take some of the bread, break off a piece and pass it around that you may share in the same loaf, as we all share our bond in messiah Yahusha. Praise Yahuah for sending us his Son, the true teacher of the doctrine from above, without the leaven of man’s doctrine!
Foot Washing
“So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Adonai: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Adonai and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his Master; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”
John 13:12-17
Unbelieving or Unequally Yoked Spouses
I can’t speak for Yahuah here, but only from experience and testimonies of others — what works and what doesn’t work. If you have a spouse who’s just not quite with you on this journey, be a light to them. Don’t be angry or bitter or rude if their eyes haven’t been opened yet. Perhaps this is a test for you both?
“For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?”
1 Cor 7:16
Think about it, we are to ‘love our neighbors as ourselves’. Well, this is your closest neighbor! Yahuah loved us and sent his son for us while we were yet sinners, blind and deaf. Can you love your spouse and be a good example to him/her, even in the face of division, ridicule or hatred for wanting to keep Yahuah’s ways? Husbands, keep the feast with your children. If your wife doesn’t want to celebrate, don’t force it. Did Yahuah force you? Just be a good example and keep a good attitude at all times. What I wouldn’t recommend, is allowing your wife to talk you out of celebrating his feasts/Shabbats.
Wives with unequally yoked or unbelieving husbands, I would never suggest you rebel against them, but do as much as you can, when you can. Even if you have to keep the feast by yourself, do so. Here is a short clip for wives with unbelieving husbands:
“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Messiah is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.”
Ephesians 5:23
Prayer and fasting leading up to these days for deliverance is highly recommended. Who knows if Yahuah would hear you and open your spouses’s eyes, or at a minimum, allow you to keep the high holy days. I’ve heard and seen testimony after testimony. Yahuah is good my brethren, just stay faithful and patient!
Final Thoughts
Regardless of when and how you celebrate this coming festival season, I am overjoyed to see so many people Yahuah has woken up with a heart for his ways. It is my hope that you have a better understanding of these amazing feast days and know more about why we remember them. I hope we be worthy to celebrate this together forever within the walls of New Jerusalem. If you have questions, post them in the comments section and we will do our best to answer.
Review:
Get together with other believers if you can, eat the meal on the evening of Apr 5th at sunset and as it’s becoming night. Read Exodus 12-15 with all your heart, stop and expound to the understanding of those with you, sing, dance and rejoice to Yahuah with all your heart. Get the children involved, super important! Give all praise to him through his son and spotless lamb Yahusha, this meal is about him. Be ready, because this can be the day he comes for us!!!
Yahuah bless you and keep you,
Yahuah make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
Yahuah lift up his countenance upon you and give you Shalom
Numbers 6:24-26
