April 12
The idea that it’s possible to move from slavery to freedom and from darkness to light and from despair to hope—that is the greatest Jewish story ever told.
April 12
Tonight marks the beginning of Passover, a sacred observance that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. The holiday spans eight days, beginning with the Seder, a ceremonial meal rich in symbolic foods, each representing a key element of the Exodus story. One of the most significant moments in this narrative is the night when God passed over the homes marked with the blood of a sacrificial lamb, sparing the firstborns of the Israelites during the final plague. Central to the observance is the eating of matzah, unleavened bread, symbolizing the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt, having no time to let their dough rise. Passover is a time for reflection, gratitude, and the remembrance of the enduring struggle for freedom.
The name Passover comes directly from Exodus 12.
I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from human to animal, and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
Exodus 12:12-13
The Hebrew root pasach (פסח) can be translated as “to pass over.” Thus, within the very name of the feast itself is a narrative, a word picture that summarizes God’s miraculous and gracious deliverance of the people of Israel.
Below are some ways you can participate in The Lent Journey with the Northeastern Seminary & Roberts Wesleyan Community.
Prayer
Ask and Reflect
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who sustains the entire world with goodness, grace, loving kindness, and compassion. He gives bread to all, for His grace is everlasting. And in His great goodness we have never lacked anything and we will never be deprived of food for the sake of His great name. For He is God who provides for all and does good for all and prepares food for all His creatures that He created. Blessed are You, Lord, who provides for all.
From The Passover Haggadah
