The History of Passover - Day One

It will be exciting to see what the Lord does for you and your family as you take time to remember.

Day One will set the stage for the days of devotion ahead as you give some background to the Passover commemoration that is celebrated alongside of Easter. Simply explain to your family that you will be remembering all that God has done over the days leading up to Easter. You may want to take a peek at the bottom notes ahead to allow preparation time for the next day. Simple props will be suggested.

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As Easter approaches, people around the world make preparation for different celebrations. While Christians are aware that Easter is the victorious celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave, for most, Easter will sadly consist of only bunny rabbits, colored eggs, treasure hunts and perhaps family reunions.

For the Jews, however, this season is remembered in a different way. Their holiday is called Passover because of the significant time in history when God released His children from years of bondage because of the blood over their doors allowing death to pass over their homes. The Jews don’t recognize the resurrection of Jesus Christ as Christians do because they have not acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah. However, one day God will remove the veil from the eyes of their hearts and allow them to see Him for who He is. Until then, the Jews remember the importance of the blood over the doors as directed by God. This remembrance will have new meaning in time as God reveals to them that the blood of Jesus over their lives is the key to personal salvation.

“…for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away”. 2 Corinthians 3:14-16

God told His chosen ones (the Jews) several times to remember this day:

“Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance.” Ex. 12:14

“You shall also observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt; therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as a permanent ordinance.” Ex. 12:17

“For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two door-posts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you. And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever.” Ex. 12:23-24

“And it will come about when your children will say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’ that you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.’” Ex. 12:26-27

“And you shall tell it to your son on that day, saying, ‘Because of this God did for me when He took me out of Egypt’” Exodus 13:8

"And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. Therefore, you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year.” Ex. 13:9

“And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ then you shall say to him, ‘With a powerful hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery.” Ex. 13:14

It is exciting for the Christian to remember because we DO have the blood of Jesus over our lives. The blood over the door of our hearts has greater meaning for us and THIS is something to tell to the generations:

“Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty, and on Thy wonderful works, I will meditate. And men shall speak of the power of Thine awesome acts; and I will tell of Thy greatness.” Psalm 145:3-7

Preparation for Day Two:  Remembering the bondage of the sons of Israel – God heard their cry!

1. Challenge: Give up something important or something that you could be enslaved or in bondage to for one week. (For example: Television, sweets, cell phones, etc.)

2. As you prepare to discuss the bondage of the Israelites during your evening devotion tomorrow night, allow your children to experience bondage during the day by having them wear hand-cuffs as if they were a prisoner. They may be ready to cry for deliverance by the end of the day!