It will happen, when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ that you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians, and spared our houses.’” The people bowed their heads and worshiped.
Exodus 12:26-27
Spending time in nature
For today’s outside activity and craft, I’m stealing a page from the Passover book. This can be done inside or outside the house. During Passover, everyone is to take part in eating unleavened bread. There are three pieces of bread stacked on one another. The middle bread is always broken in two; the larger piece is wrapped in a white cloth and hidden. Today, do a similar activity with three unleavened bread pieces. Once you hide the larger side of the middle bread, have the children search for it. Once someone finds it, they’ll bring it back and receive a coin. The meal can only begin once the middle piece has been found and the seeker has received their payment. As a Christian, this is a beautiful glimpse into our salvation. Christ died without a broken bone, but He was made lower than the angels when He was sent to Earth as a baby. He was fully human and fully God, the bread of life went through more torment than we can imagine. Once His breath left His body He was wrapped in a white cloth and placed in the tomb. He would not remain there, He was brought forth and restored to His flock and then to His father. When we are restored to Him there will be a great feast.
Tip
The top matzah is referred to as Kohen, for the Kohen takes precedence in all matters.
The middle matzah Levi is broken into two at the beginning of the Seder. The smaller piece is left on the plate and is later eaten along with the Kohen matzah in fulfillment of the mitzvah of matzah; the larger piece is put away for use as the afikoman.
The bottom matzah, Yisrael is used for korech, so that every one of the matzot is used for the performance of a mitzvah.
Do Something Creative
Today’s creative activity is to sew a Matzah tosh beg. ‘Three pieces of Matzoh are placed into a cloth pouch, called a Matzah Tosh, which has three pockets–one piece of Matzoh per pocket. “Each piece is separated from the others by a piece of cloth. They are a unity, yet in three parts, as we understand the triune nature of GOD to be. “‘ To create this beg, take two pieces of cloth that are the same size about the length of the children’s forearm by the length of their full arm. You can get decorative fabric, but if you are sewing by hand, purchase thinner fabric. Take the two pieces and while they are laying on top of one another fold them so the short ends are touching, and will make up the opening. Sew the sides of the beg. When you are done you should have a beg with three pockets.
What you will need:
- Two cloths (the same size) per person
- Needle and thread (or a sewing machine)
Family worship idea
For family worship, put down cushions on the floor for everyone to sit on. Place candles and candlesticks around your Sabbath room. Search your favorite music streamer for Passover music. If you have them give everyone a goblet and grape juice. Also put out salted water (representing the tears of the enslaved Israelites) and celary (representing the new spring). Dip the celary in the salted water for a snack. Read Exodus 11 and 12. Allow everyone to enjoy the juice and dipped vegetables. Talk about the lamb and how it points to Jesus. Think about why the entire lamb had to be consumed. Ask if the blood of the lamb is covering the posts of a door now. Talk about the Israelites asked their neighbors for silver and gold, do Christ’s followers need anything from non believers as we let go of the cares of this world?
Personal thoughts
So this post is hard for me. The Jewish Nation held the keys for the Passover for hundreds of years before Christ came to earth. God gave them the ceremony along with the promise He would remove their yoke, save them from bondage, redeem them, and take them as His own people (Exodus 6: 6-7). They, as a collective, know so much more than I can ever hope to know about the words baked into Jesus’ heart. This being said, the Matzah Tosh was likely not used during the Exodus; the three pieces of bread could represent different lessons in the old testament. For me, though, it is so beautiful to think of the bread as the trinity. My ancestors lost so much of their language and culture because settlers wanted conformity. This is why taking the Passover and viewing it as a person who believes in Christ has me conflicted. I hope the pieces I stole from the eve of Passover were done in a respectful way that doesn’t mock or disrespect how others know and celebrate these two pieces.
Hiding His word in your ❤
“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6: 2-4
Sabbath Catalyst 