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Passover Banquet 2014
Messianic Haggadah by Sam Nadler
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phone: (704)544-1948
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Yeshua - the Passover Lamb
Passover is a joyous family time and traditionally, Jewish people understand the deliverance from bondage as a time to reflect upon and appreciate our personal and political freedom. But what makes for a life of spiritual freedom as opposed to a life of spiritual bondage? Our identification with the Lamb. Yeshua (Jesus) the Passover Lamb fulfills God’s prescribed “type,” or picture of Messiah. In fact, the entire New Covenant is based on this redemption (John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7).
Prioritized Identification
Exodus 12:1-2 states, “This month shall be the beginning of months for you.” Though the civil Jewish calendar begins in September, the biblical year was to begin at the month of Nisan (March-April). Why did God want the year to begin then? It was to emphasize God’s priorities.
Passover is the redemption of Israel from bondage, and with God, all things begin with redemption. As Passover was to mark their redemptive beginning, so also faith in Messiah marks the redemptive beginning of those who have believed—for “if any person is in Messiah he is a new creation, old things have passed away, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). As the annual religious life of the Jewish people is to be based upon and oriented around this holiday, our redemption in “Messiah our Passover” is the sure foundation upon which all else will properly develop.
Personal Identification
In Exodus l2:3 the lamb to be sacrificed was to be selected “on the tenth day of the month” and kept until “the 14th day of the month” (12:6). Why? During that time the lamb had to be inspected to certify that it was “without blemish” (12:5). For redemption, the lamb had to be flawless. Though the Israelites were anxious to flee bondage, it was better to take the time to insure having a perfect redemption, than to merely make a quick escape from their circumstances.
Yeshua entered Jerusalem at the same time, on the tenth of the month when the Passover lambs were initially selected. During that week, Yeshua was also inspected. He was questioned, interrogated and tortured, until on the 14th of the month of Nisan, the head of government declared, “I find no fault in Him!” (Luke 23:22). Therefore, Yeshua was declared fit to be our Passover Lamb, to die for our redemption from the bondage of spiritual slavery.
In this twelfth chapter of Exodus there is a progression regarding the lamb: the Hebrews were to select a lamb from the flock (12:3); once selected, it is referred to as the lamb (12:4); it was inspected for several days and then called your lamb (12:5); and only then it was killed (12:6). When you first realize your need for salvation you may see Yeshua as a lamb; any Savior will do, like a port in a storm. But in choosing Him, one realizes that He is objectively the Lamb, the Savior, indeed the Lord! Finally, it is in personally depending upon this One—making Him your Lamb, recognizing that His death was for your sins—that you receive salvation.
Public Identification
In Exodus 12:7 we see that the death of the Lamb was not the last part of their redemption. Those that trusted in the lamb had to place the blood on the outside of their doors. Why blood on the door?
In Exodus 12:12-13, we see the reason: “The blood will be sign for you… and when I see the blood I will pass over you and the judgment shall not come upon you.” It was the application of the blood that marked a home out for redemption on from judgment. But why would the Hebrews need to do this? God was not going to merely redeem a people of the flesh, but a people of faith. Think about it: what would be the essential difference between a Hebrew and an Egyptian? To put it another way, what is the difference between a believer in Yeshua and a non-believer in Yeshua? The difference is the blood of the Lamb! Only those that responded in faith and applied the Lamb’s blood were redeemed from bondage.
Those who have confidence in His atonement are to confess His redemption as well. For Yeshua said in Matthew 10:32-33, “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” Have you confessed Yeshua and experienced the fearless freedom He brings? He who the Son sets free is free indeed!
Prompt Identification
In Exodus 12:10-11, the people were exhorted to quickly respond to the opportunity for redemption. Three times the Scripture exhorts us to leave nothing over till morning: with wilderness Manna (bread from Heaven) in Exodus 16:19; with the Thanksgiving offering in Lev. 7:15; and here with the lamb. Identifying with the Lamb implies an urgent response. Redemption is for today, while it may yet be called today. So we are to “seek the Lord while He may be found,” and if you have not done so, please call upon Him while He is near (Is. 55:6).
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Florida Planter's Conference
Word of Messiah Ministries is not only bringing the Good News of Messiah to Jewish people worldwide but is also discipling those who come to faith, and then plants congregations as core groups develop. These congregations then function locally as worship centers, outreach centers, and discipleship centers as the ongoing witness in those Jewish communities.
Because of the urgent need for more outreach, more healthy Messianic congregations, and more practical training for new planters, further action had to be taken. So besides continuing our work with various core groups, but also WMM is now conducting regional conferences to make this training more widely available to many more leaders and multiple core groups at one time.
WMM thanks you for your prayers for our conference last month. As supporters, prayer partners, and friends of WMM, we wanted to share how the Lord blessed our work at this conference. About eight Messianic congregations (existing and several about to be planted) as well as a number of Messianic leaders (from Michigan, Connecticut, Brooklyn, NY, and various parts of Florida gathered to attend WMM’s 2014 Regional Messianic Planter’s Conference in Boynton Beach, Florida.
WMM was provided books and materials to help those attending establish, develop and also reproduce Messianic congregations such as Messianic Discipleship and Messianic Foundations, which are already being used in around the United States in Messianic Congregational discipleship programs.
Sam Nadler’s planting manual, Establishing Healthy Messianic Congregations, was the primary text used along with additional information provided in another booklet to give planters and congregational leaders precise instructions on attaining and sustaining spiritual healthiness in the congregations according to the Word of God.
Here at WMM, prayer is central to everything thing that we do. Sam reminded those in attendance that prayer is essential to all effective works of God, especially Messianic congregation planting since the Good News is “to the Jew first” (Romans 1:16), it is the first point of spiritual attack.
Feedback from the results of the conference has been very positive.
Robert Walter, who is preparing to plant a Messianic congregation in Brooklyn, NY said afterward, “The Conference was extremely helpful for both Rich and me. He provided great direction on how vision, values, and relationship with Yeshua must ultimately drive the systems that are put in place…and he went into details of steps to planting a congregation. Really invaluable conference and very glad I went. I would recommend all congregational leaders go through it.”
Derek Blumenthal, who is in leadership in a Messianic congregation in Delray Beach, FL had this to say, “This conference was more beneficial to me and the other leaders of my congregation than I can express. We were challenged to take an honest look at the values and methods we currently uphold and were given the opportunity to learn from Sam’s experience about how we can do it better. We were able to pinpoint our strengths and weaknesses in this intimate setting in order that we might improve our impact both on our current and future congregants. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity! HaShem is truly using Sam, Miriam, and Word of Messiah to build up Messianic communities.”
We are asking for prayer as WMM is currently working on our Northeastern Regional Training Conference that will be held in Stoughton, MA in June of this year. Pray that those who attend would be prepared to not only receive the information but that they would readily apply it to their congregations and new congregational plants. Pray that we would be able to give a clear vision to those in attendance about what a sound Messianic congregation looks like and how it should function.
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Regional Conference Greater Boston Area
Word of Messiah Ministries Regional Conference is scheduled on June 21- 23 in greater Boston area. Come for two days of training, instruction and problem solving for planting, developing and maturing Messianic congregations. Register Now!
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Annual Messianic Passover Banquet
Register today for our annual Messianic Passover Banquet. Our evening of celebration includes inspiring Messianic worship, excellent teaching and rich fellowship together around the Passover meal. Download Brochure now.
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Jerusalem - a Prayer Priority
King David wrote in Psalm 122:6, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may they prosper who love you.” In the compact language of Hebrew, it’s only five words: Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim yishlayu ohavaich. Each of these words gives five vital truths.
1. We are Commanded by God’s Precept
The word “pray” (sha’alu) in Psalm 122:6 is in the imperative; in other words, it is a command. God’s commands demonstrate His values for His people, who are to share in those values. We are a people of conviction and character because we have God’s priorities and values as the basis for our lives. And we are people of integrity as we live out the truth of His word and “observe all that He commanded” (Matthew 28:20).
Our prayer life reveals to us whether we identify with His priorities. To pray for the peace of Jerusalem is to identify with God’s heart. The commands of the Holy One are the convictions of the saints.
2. We are Concerned About God’s People
We should share God’s concern for the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). This concern of God is seen in two of the words used in Psalm 122:6. The Hebrew word sha’alu refers not merely to prayer in general but to “intercede,” or “to ask for, to inquire of, to seek after.” We inquire about those things that concern us. When your child is sick, how often do you ask the doctor about his condition? Often. God wants you to share in His concern for Jerusalem as well.
Notice the two parallel thoughts in that one verse: “Pray (intercede) for the peace of Jerusalem” parallels “may they prosper who love you (ohavayich)” Those that love, pray. Why would I pray for my sons while away from home? Because I love them. We pray because as intercessors we share God’s loving concern for the lost.
3. We are Committed to God’s Program
Isn’t it interesting that in this verse, God doesn’t command prayer for the larger cities of Rome, Athens, Nineveh, or Babylon. Why? Not because He lacks concern for other places. Rather, God’s redemptive strategy is anchored in Jerusalem (John 4:22, “for salvation is of the Jews”). God’s New Covenant redemption was to have its “beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47) and its closure upon Messiah’s return to Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4). Messiah states that the return of Messiah is dependent upon the repentance of Israel:
For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, “Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 23:39).
Therefore, we pray because we share God’s perspective on His plan for bringing about repentance, whether past, present, or future.
4. We are Completed in God’s Peace
The Hebrew word for peace is shalom which entails completeness, safety, contentment, friendship with God. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Prayer is the overflow of God’s life in us (Philippians 4:7-8).
Humanity does not have peace; 92% of our recorded history is war. The thousands of man-made peace treaties last an average length of only two years. God’s eternal peace is established through the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Faith in Yeshua brings a peace with God (forgiveness), others (fellowship), and yourself (fulfillment). This is the peace and rest God accomplished in Messiah’s sacrifice. Today, Israel may be so desperate to have peace that they are willing to trade away their land for it, but true peace comes by faith in Yeshua. Where the Lord reigns, there is rest.
5. We are Confident in God’s Promises
In Psalm 122:6, God states, “May they prosper who love you.” In the Hebrew the word translated “may they prosper” is yishlayu, from the verb sha’lah which means “to be quiet, at ease.” In Job’s despair, he complains that “the tents of the destroyers prosper” (yishlayu, Job 12:6). But God says otherwise. The idea is not financial prosperity, but the true fulfillment that comes from confidence in God’s promises.
We possess spiritual prosperity and contentment when we love as He loves. Our prayer life reflects God’s life living through us. Therefore if we pray according to His will we will know the real prosperity our hearts desire. In light of what the Scriptures teach, shouldn’t our spiritual fruit be associated with the Land of Israel? We were thrilled by the fruit that God blessed us with in our recent ministry trip in the land. Thank you for being an intercessor on behalf of Jewish people.
Word of Messiah Ministries
PO Box 79238
Charlotte, NC 28271 United States
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