By Enedina Guerrero
As spring approaches, Jewish communities worldwide prepare for Pesach (Passover), a festival that is rich in tradition and history. But how did Yeshua, known to many as Jesus, celebrate this significant time? Let’s explore the intricate relationship between Yeshua and Pesach, unraveling its layers of tradition and meaning.
Understanding the Pesach Timeline
Pesach, or Passover, is deeply intertwined with the Festival of Matzah. Historically, the 14th of Nissan marks the day of the Pesach sacrifice, while the 15th marks the beginning of the festival of Matzah, celebrated with the Seder meal. However, it’s not just about the sacrifice; it’s a symbol of G-d’s salvation and redemption, of the Israelitesfrom Egypt.
According to tradition, Yeshua and his disciples participated in a “practice” Seder the night of the 13th of Nissan. This was common among yeshiva students—a rehearsal of sorts before the family Seder on the 15th. This practice Seder, known as the Last Supper in Christian tradition, was not the actual Seder but rather a time for teaching and reflection.
The Symbolism of Yeshua and the Pesach Lamb
The narrative takes a poignant turn on the 14th of Nissan, when Yeshua was executed. This coincided with the time the Pesach lamb was sacrificed. For Christians, this is symbolic; Yeshua is seen as the ultimate offering—not in the traditional sense of a sin offering, but as complete surrender of dedication to G-d’s will to bring salvation to everyone who would repent and believe.
The practice Seder on the 13th of Nissan included Matza, but no lamb, which might have perplexed the disciples. Yet, Yeshua’s distribution of matzah and his words encouraged a deeper understanding—an internalization of the sacrifice, suggesting that he himself was the missing lamb… representative of love for all humanity, giving us salvation and ultimately redemption.
Reflections on Tradition and Faith
The story of Yeshua and Pesach is a compelling blend of tradition, history, and faith. It reflects a deeper understanding of sacrifice and redemption, themes that are central to both Jewish and Christian beliefs. Whether through the lens of historical events or spiritual symbolism, this narrative continues to inspire reflection and dialogue across faiths.
As we prepare for Pesach, let us embrace the rich tapestry of traditions and meanings that this festival brings, honoring the past while forging connections in our shared human journey.
| Leviticus 23:4-8 “‘These are the LORD’s appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times:
The LORD’s Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. On the fifteenth day of that month the LORD’s Festival of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast. On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. For seven days present a food offering to the LORD. And on the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.'” |
Timeline Nissan 13-18 mapped to Gregorian weekdays
Matthew 26:17 When is the First day of Matzah (unleavened bread)? The disciples ask the question before the 14th of Nissan. The first day of Matzah is not the first day of the festival of Matzah. The 13th of Nissan is when we clean out the leaven from the house, and from that day we don’t eat bread, which is the first day of Matzah. Even though the festival starts on the 15th of Nissan. By the 13th of Nissan, the house should be clean of leaven, and it is the first day to eat matzah because we can’t have leaven at home.
In Matthew, it refers to the 13th of Nissan, the first day of eating Matzah, to avoid eating leavened bread at home since it had already been cleaned. That’s why the disciples are asking Yeshua where he wants to have the practice seder meal on the first day of eating Matzah, not on the festival of Matzah.
We also have another event taking place that can help with the reference of counting the days, the counting of the Omer, which is found in the Torah: “From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks.Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD.” (Leviticus 23:15-16)
NOTE: The Jewish calendar is based on the Lunar cycle, so the “lunar day” begins at sunset. So from sunset to sunset it’s one day. Every day listed below begins at sunset, 13thof Nissan starts Monday at sunset, 14 Nissan starts Tuesday at sunset…18 Nissan starts Saturday at sunset. Passover has no fixed repeat interval on weekdays, but since it can occur on only 4 weekdays (Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday), the same weekday recurs roughly 25% of the time overall. The repeat pattern is irregular.
Scripture says Yeshua arose on the 3rd day… was it on the 3rd day or after 3 days?
- 13 Nissan Yeshua and Disciples have a practice seder/last supper on the 3rd day of the week (Tuesday)
- 14 Nissan Yeshua was executed on the 4th day of the week (Wednesday)
- 15 Nissan Pesach, a Shabbat, 5th day of the week (Thursday)
- 16 Nissanthe sixth day of the week, prepare for the upcoming Shabbat (Friday)
- 17 Nissan the seventh day Shabbat (Saturday)
- 18 Nissan Yeshua’sresurrection took place any time on the 18th, the first day of the week (Sunday)
Using the counting of the Omer, we can see that the 16th is the 1st day of the Omer, the 2nd day of the Omer is the 17th, the 3rd day of the Omer is the 18th.
Yeshua arose on the first day of the week,which includes Saturday night and Sunday sometime after sunset Saturday, because on sunset the 18th of Nissan started the third day of the Omer. Yeshua was executed on the 14th of Nissan at the same time as the Pesach offerings were being made, which was Wednesday. The teaching seder was on the 13th of Nissan, Tuesday, the daybefore he was executed.
Why is Easter celebrated on a different date fromthe Jewish Passover?
Under the powerful influence of Emperor Constantine, Christian theology was being developed without a Jewish foundation or understanding, amid considerable internal conflict. The Council of Nicea (325 CE) codified the Easter observance, officially preempting Pesach, and Easter’s date is established. Using the Gregorian calendar, not the Lunar Calendar, Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon (the Paschal Full Moon) occurring on or after the vernal equinox (fixed on March 21). The Council of Laodicea (363-364 CE) established Sunday as the day to observe the Lord’s Day, replacing the Sabbath, making the Sabbath a workday, and if possible, Sunday a day of rest.
An Everlasting Promise
Ultimately, we have a promise that is everlasting,Romans 15:8-13 (NIV):
“For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmedand, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”
Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
