Pesach
Machol Dance Ministries
Pesach / Passover is one of the seven festivals of the Lord, mentioned in Leviticus. It is the first of the Spring festivals, usually occurring in March or April each year. In scripture, this would be Nissan 14.
Pesach was first instituted in Exodus 12. Through Moses, God had commanded that blood from a lamb be smeared on the top lintel and two side posts of the door. At midnight, the LORD passed through and killed the firstborn of all the Egyptians. But when he saw the blood on the lintel and two side posts of the doors of the Jewish homes, the LORD passed over that door and they were spared.
In Leviticus 23 God commanded that Pesach, and other sacred feast days, be set aside as feasts unto the Lord forever.
Leviticus 23
4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's Passover.
6 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.
One part of the observance of Pesach is to eat unleavened bread for seven days.Traditionally, prohibited foods include the following: leavened bread, cakes, biscuits, crackers, cereal, coffee with cereal derivatives in them, wheat, barley, oats, spelt, rye, and all liquids containing ingredients or flavors made from grain alcohol.
Yeshua (Jesus), himself, participated in the Passover each year.
Matthew 26
17 Now the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover?
It was also during this Pesach Seder meal that Yeshua instituted communion.
Matthew 26
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my my body.
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it.
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Carolyn & I participated in our first Pesach meal almost 20 years ago. Each time we repeat the experience it is sweeter and more meaningful.
The following photos were taken at a Pesach Seder at Gates of Praise in Crouse, NC.
Of all the Passover Seders we've participated in, this was the most meaningful. This was the first time I had had the opportunity to "recline" at low tables. Greg & Linda had gone all out to make it look and feel like Passover during the time of Yeshua. Linda's mother had even brought costumes for the men to wear when she came up from Florida.
Linda, Carolyn and Christi make last minute preparations just before the crowd arrives.
Greg (right) and I lead the Seder together.
Cup of Sanctification
We lift up the first cup of wine and wash our hands.
Three matza representing Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Lifting up the matza, blessing and breaking the middle matza, and lifting up the shankbone.
Bitter Herbs, Kharoset, the Second Cup and the Shankbone.
Dipping our bitter herbs in salt water and lifting up a second cup.
The Four Questions Cameron asks the Four Questions. "Why is this night different from all the rest?"
The Passover Meal Family and friends come together. Beth and Christi enjoy themselves. Afikomen
The Cup of Redemption
Elijah
The Cup of PraiseLinda, David and Marty Vonnie and Madalyn Fellowshipping Afterwards 
Doug & Lynda Duke & Myrl Bruce & Becky 
Kirk with the shofar. Dennis & Pat Becky and Christi fellowship together.
Anytime we meet, there's always an opportunity to dance. This is one of my favorites...
1 Corinthians 5
8 Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
9 Therefore let us keep the feast
This New Covenant scripture lets us know that we should still be celebrating this perpetual festival of the Lord.Blowing of the shofarim. Next Year in Jerusalem!
Another year, a different location, and a slightly different look
Everything in the Pesach experience brings to remembrance something from the Pesach story. Here a "reminder" of the blood that was placed on the doorway by the Israelites to keep the angel of death away from their homes is included. A mural shows the way Jerusalem "might" have looked from the Upper Room during the time of Yeshua.
Last minute preparations
The Seder begins
