How to Celebrate Pesach & Feast of Unleavened Bread

We commemorate Messiah’s death and salvation by keeping the Passover feast. Messiah laid for us an example which we were to follow. “And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19. This was to be done until his second coming where the last Passover shall be held. “For I tell you that I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Luke 22:16. 

The Passover Feast is celebrated in an appointed season which commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. “[…], there thou shalt sacrifice the Passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 16:6. Hence, there is an appointed season or specific time when Passover was celebrated and not any other time. This still signifies our deliverance from our past sinful life through the persecution of Messiah. 

What are some of the practices that are done during Passover celebration? 

Washing of Feet

              In symbolism of humility, we are to wash one another’s feet just as Messiah did to his disciples. “If I then, your Lord 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” John 13: 14, 15. This is usually conducted during the night of 14th Abib and it precedes the next step of eating the body and drinking the blood of Yahshua.

Eating His Body and Drinking His Blood.

                We usually take unleavened bread (signifying his body) and natural & fresh grape juice (signifying his blood) at the night of 14th Abib. This practice is headed by the priests or altar members as they bless and give the congregation just as Yahshua did towards his disciples. “And as they were eating, Yahshua took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it" Matthew 26:26-28. It is done at the chosen and ordained place where Messianic believers are gathered together “Thou mayest not sacrifice the Passover within any of thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee: But at the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name in […]” Deuteronomy 16:5, 6. 

              Before taking part in this, each person is expected to take an introspection of his or her own life. “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body” 1 Corinthians 11; 28, 29. 

Unleavened Bread

            Throughout the Passover feast, we are to keep away from leaven. “And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread” Leviticus 23:6. Leaven refers to a substance, typically yeast that is used in dough to make it rise. We are instructed to avoid such leaven in the literal bread during this feast. “Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction […]” Deuteronomy 16:3. 

            Apart from the physical leaven, we are instructed to keep away from spiritual leaven. Leaven is likened to wickedness, malice, hypocrisy and other related sins. “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” 1 Corinthians 5:7-8. 

Offering of Sacrifices

            In the ancient Passover, the Israelites were to sacrifice bulls for each of the eight days of Passover celebration. Each day had its own number of animals to be sacrificed. “But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days…” Leviticus 23:8. Since Messiah came and died on the cross for our sins, we don’t have to sacrifice the animals. He abolished the practice of sacrificing the animals through his own sacrifice. “And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering” Daniel 9:27. 

           However, as Paul pointed out, the service of our bodies are like sacrifices we offer to Adonai. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” Romans 12:1. Therefore, in the eight days of Passover Feast and Feast of Unleavened bread, we offer services that would represent the sacrifices which were offered initially. Through our praises and service, we symbolize the sacrifices which the Israel did during this festival. Each and every day of the feast, we involve in offering services, singing and other spiritual services. “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Yahshua Messiah” Ephesians 5:19. The service and sacrifice of praises were also apparent among the disciples during that Passover feast. “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives” Mathew 26:30.

The Two High Day Sabbaths. 

           After the Passover on 14th Abib, there is the commencing of the feast of unleavened bread, which lasts for seven days. The first day of this feast of unleavened bread (15th Abib) is a Holy Convocation. “In the first day, ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein” Leviticus 23:7. In this day, all servile work is usually forbidden and we are to rest – often referred to as a high day Sabbath. In the last day of the festival, there is also a similar rest or Sabbath. Servile work includes all manner of labor/work except that of preparing food. “And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you” Exodus 12:16. 

NB: Though due to current crisis of Covid -19 in the world, we may not take the Passover as normal, but we shall keep the feast of Unleavened Bread   at  home with prayers inclusive. Stay safe, we shall overcome!

By Evanson Githinji