How to Honor the Passover: A Memorial of Redemption
Passover (Pesach) is more than just an ancient event—it is a living memorial of YHWH’s deliverance, faithfulness, and redemption. When Yisra’el was still in exile, enslaved in Mitsrayim, YHWH gave them this command as a sign of obedience, faith, and trust in His covenant. The blood of the lamb marked the doorposts of those who believed, setting them apart from judgment.
But what about today?
We know that Yeshua is our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). We are not in the land, nor do we have a functioning priesthood or Temple. So how do we honor Passover now, in a way that is both meaningful and in alignment with Torah?
The Passover in Exile
The first Passover took place while Yisra’el was still in exile, before they ever entered the Promised Land. This shows us that Passover is not dependent on location—it is a command meant to be kept wherever YHWH’s people are.
We also see evidence of a memorial Passover being done in exile.
Yet, there is something we must acknowledge:
Without the Temple, we cannot fully keep the Passover as commanded in Exodus 12. The Torah requires the lamb to be slaughtered at the place where YHWH has put His Name (Deuteronomy 16:5-6), which we cannot do today. However, we can honor Passover as a memorial—just as Yeshua did when He took part in a meal with His disciples before His crucifixion.
Passover Is for the Covenant People Alone
Unlike other feast days, Passover is not open to unbelievers.
There are six other appointed times in YHWH’s calendar where we can invite those who do not yet know Him. But Passover is strictly for those who are in covenant with Him.
"This is the law of the Passover: No son of a stranger is to eat of it... A sojourner and a hired servant do not eat of it."
—Exodus 12:43-45
This means that those who do not belong to YHWH's covenant people—whether through physical birth or being grafted in through Yeshua—are not to partake in the meal.
Passover is an intimate act of remembrance and obedience. It marks the identity of those who belong to YHWH, just as it did in Mitsrayim.
What We Can Do as a Memorial
Although we cannot perform a literal Passover sacrifice, there are elements of the Pesach meal that we can observe as a remembrance of YHWH’s great deliverance.
1. Eating Lamb or Goat as a Memorial
"And you shall take it from the sheep or the goats. And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same new moon."
—Exodus 12:5-6
While we do not have the true Passover lamb, we can choose to eat lamb or goat as a symbolic memorial. This is not a requirement, and it is crucial to understand that it does not fulfill Exodus 12. If you choose to burn the remains as a sign of remembrance, you may do so, but it is not commanded in exile.
2. The Blood on the Doorposts
"And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it."
—Exodus 12:7
Since we are not in the land, and there is no functioning Temple or priesthood, we do not sacrifice a lamb today. However, as a memorial, some choose to use wine to represent the blood that covered the doorposts in Mitsrayim. This is not a requirement but a symbolic way to reflect on the protection YHWH provided in the Exodus account.
It is important to recognize that this does not fulfill the requirements of Exodus 12, nor is it a reenactment of the original Passover. Rather, it serves as a reminder of how YHWH delivers His people.
3. Eating Unleavened Bread and Bitter Herbs
"And they shall eat the flesh on that night, roasted in fire – with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it."
—Exodus 12:8
This is something we can and should do. Unleavened bread (matzah) represents humility and haste, as Yisra’el left Mitsrayim before the bread could rise. Bitter herbs (maror) remind us of the bitterness of slavery and suffering. These elements are deeply symbolic and serve as a tangible way to connect with the Exodus story.
4. Eating the Meal in Haste
"And this is how you eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste."
—Exodus 12:11
This is a command we can still observe today.
The first Passover was a moment of preparation and expectation. Yisra’el was about to leave Mitsrayim, to cross the sea into the unknown, to step into a future guided by YHWH.
So what if our own call to leave for the wilderness comes on a future Passover?
When we eat in haste, we align our hearts with the readiness YHWH expects from His people. We are not attached to this world; we are ready to move at His command.
A Call to Readiness
Passover is not just about remembering the Exodus—it is about standing in expectation of YHWH’s promised redemption.
Yeshua is our Passover Lamb. His blood has covered us, just as the blood of the lambs covered the doorposts in Mitsrayim. And just as YHWH delivered His people before, He will do so again.
The final redemption is not a question—it is a certainty.
He is coming.
And because we know this with absolute assurance, we must live as those who are ready. Ready to move at His command. Ready to follow wherever He leads. Ready to leave behind everything for the sake of His kingdom.
When He calls, will we be found prepared?
Final Reflection: Standing in Expectation
Passover is a reminder of deliverance, a call to remembrance, and a moment of preparation.
Imagine what that night must have been like in Mitsrayim. The air thick with anticipation. The firstborn of Egypt struck down. The cries of judgment ringing through the land. And Yisra’el—waiting, standing, ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
One day, we too will stand in that moment.
Perhaps it will be the call to the wilderness of protection (Revelation 12:6). Perhaps it will be the final gathering of YHWH’s people.
Will we be found eating in haste, ready for the journey?
Or will we be so comfortable in exile that we hesitate to go?
Passover is not just a story. It is a prophecy.
The King is coming. Let us be ready.
Prayer
Abba YHWH,
Teach us to honor Your appointed times with reverence and obedience. Prepare our hearts to move when You call. Let us not be found unprepared, but standing in faith, ready for Your redemption.
In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
Passover Memorial Shopping List
For those who want to observe Passover as a memorial, here is a simplified shopping list to help you gather what you need:
Essentials for the Passover Meal:
✅ Unleavened Bread (Matzah) – Store-bought or homemade (no yeast or leavening).
✅ Bitter Herbs (Maror) – Common choices include horseradish or romaine lettuce.
✅ Lamb or Goat Meat (Optional Memorial Item) – If choosing to eat lamb or goat, ensure it is roasted, not boiled.
Symbolic Memorial Elements:
✅ Red Wine or Grape Juice – To represent the blood on the doorposts.
Additional Items for Observance:
✅ Candles (Optional but traditional for lighting before the meal).
✅ Salt Water (For dipping herbs, remembering the tears of slavery).
✅ Charoset (Optional; a mixture of apples, nuts, and honey, symbolizing the mortar used in Egypt).
Things to Remove Before Passover:
✅ Leavened Bread & Products – Check pantries and remove items with yeast, baking powder, baking soda, and other leavening agents before Passover begins. And do not forget to dump the crumbs out of your toaster. :)