I attended my first Jewish Passover Seder about 12 years ago. My wife and I were invited to home of Jewish friends to participate with them in this special event. Our friends do not acknowledge Jesus as Messiah, but it was clear to us what a beautiful picture of Christ’s redemption Passover Seder is. Since then we have celebrated a “Christian Passover Seder” which emphasizes correlation between Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and Believers deliverance from bonds of sin.

A Brief History

Passover is oldest and most important religious festival in Judaism, commemorating God’s deliverance of Hebrews from slavery in Egypt and his creation of Israelite people. The festival of Passover begins at sunset on 14th of Nisan (usually in March or April) and marks beginning of seven day celebration that includes Feast of Unleavened Bread. The focal point of Passover is a communal meal, called Seder (which means "order," because of fixed order of service), which is time of rejoicing and celebration at deliverance for Hebrews that God accomplished in exodus.

Passover has traditionally been celebrated in home with family and friends as they eat meal together. It is customary to invite guests to share Seder meal, especially newcomers to community. The actual Seder meal in most Jewish homes is an elaborate feast, with food, games for children, and plenty of time to tell story of Exodus from Egypt. It is not unusual for Seder to last three to four hours.