Torah Commentary Archives

Pesach "Passover"

Exodus 33:12 - 34:26

Numbers 28:16-31

Ezekiel 36:37 - 37:14

John 17-21

Looking Back To Look Forward

Another Passover is behind us and is now a memory. Our observances may have been practiced in different style and manner. My prayer is our hearts were as one, focused on Messiah. It is quite obvious by the fact that I was able to share this commentary and you are reading it, that when you opened the door, during your seder, there was not a man with a long gray beard beckoning you to follow him into the Wilderness of the Peoples this year! We begin another Biblical year. May our hearts be completely prepared to embark on this New Year set on Messiah. Let us look back for a moment just to make sure we are ready!

We will reflect on the first week of our ancestor's journey out of Egypt. Daily life activities had totally changed. Slaves were now free men and women pulling wagons overflowing with Egyptian luxuries. Possessions of gold, silver, expensive clothing and everything their hearts ever desired. They no longer had to punch a time clock in Egypt or be responsible to the taskmasters. Israel was free! What a dramatic change. They saw a sea split before them and crossed its bed, not through muddy sludge, but on dry ground. Not to mention the miracles of bread from the sky and trials of bitter waters. Much took place that first week. What lay before Israel? They did not know, nor would they have been able to comprehend it if told. Change and a new way of life had begun!

Fast forward many centuries to a group of men from differing walks, all called by one Man to follow Him. Every day of their lives with Him was a new adventure as they saw water turned to wine, dead people raised, blind men see and amidst the miracles, listened to profound teaching like nothing taught by any other prophet or teacher. These men were riding on top of the world with dreams of a coming Kingdom and a close relationship with the One who would rule over it. Then there was that infamous night. One would betray Him, one man would deny Him while many scattered. Only one would be found standing close. All would watch their dreams die before them. Their next days would be filled with questions of pondering how they had been tricked and deceived. This One appeared to be genuine. Then the news, His tomb was found empty. Could it be? Now, almost a week after Passover, there they were, sitting on the shore of the Galilee eating fish with the resurrected Messiah!

So, how has your week been since Passover? Do you have any excitement to report? Are there any miracles happening? Maybe Passover is just a memory and you are wondering how many more matzah pizzas you can eat and how long before you can make a donut stop on the way to work.

The night before our Passover I had a dream. This was very unusual as I rarely remember dreams. In my dream it was the night of Passover and I was attending a Passover “Carnival.” There were rides and entertainment as far as the eye could see. People were everywhere, filled with excitement, pleasure and entertainment. There were no funnel cakes or battered dishes as none of the people were interested in leavened bread. The snack being sold at every corner was chocolate covered matzah. The indulgence was a sight to behold. It was not till I awoke and pondered the events of the dream that more was revealed to give me the interpretation. I could see an image from a print my mother bought me years ago, a picture of a face likened to Messiah looking down upon the earth with a tear in His eye. I then saw that same face above the “Carnival” with the same tear.

What is my point and how does this all tie together? Take a moment and put side by side the Hebrews first week after Passover to your last week. Think about the disciples first week after the execution of Yeshua and compare that to yours. Are we just playing games with the message of redemption? Are we so wrapped up in the system of entertainment, sports and materialism that it is being used to soothe ourselves? Have we mixed it with a form of Godliness?

In just a few short days the last of the matzah pizzas will be behind us. In the midst of these days of Unleavened Bread we begin to count from the omer and look to Shavuot. Before we lose sight of Passover though, let us all revisit that day and make sure the true meaning soaked deep into our hearts. The lamb in Egypt paid the ultimate price so the people could be set free and redeemed. Most would die in the wilderness because they tried to take Egypt with them. The disciples on the other hand would allow the ultimate price of the Passover Lamb to not only affect their lives, but transform their hearts and desires. They would be able to tap into the resurrection power offered by the Lamb and in doing so affect a world two thousand years in its future. Why? They left the “Carnival” behind and moved on with what is truly important in life, serving Him through personal relationship. May we find those footprints again!