A Believer's Guide for Observing the Passover

Why and how should true believers, disciples of Yahshuah observe the Passover in these modern times? After all, isn’t the Passover a Jewish thing? Obviously I’m being facetious, for every true believer knows full well why he or she should keep the Passover, but, do they fully understand how they should observe it?

The New Testament Passover is the most solemn of all religious observances. The New Testament Passover is not just about the death of the Lamb of Yahweh but about His suffering as well. It is a memorial to both His horrific suffering at His crucifixion and His death as the price He paid for our sins.

The Old Testament Passover is a memorial to Yahweh passing over the houses of the children of Israel when He killed the firstborn of man and beast in Egypt. The New Testament Passover is not a memorial to the exodus of Israel from Egypt but a memorial of the death of Yahshuah as the true Passover Lamb. We eat the broken unleavened bread and drink the wine in remembrance of the sacrifice of His beaten body and shed blood. This sacrifice made possible the forgiveness of our sins. By our partaking of the Passover symbols of bread and wine, we proclaim our faith in Yahshuah’s sacrifice for us.

Observance of Passover and Easter are not the same. Easter is a pagan tradition perpetuated by Satan and instilled into the hearts and minds of mankind through his able servants.

The name “Easter” is the name of a pagan goddess variously called “Eostre”, “Eastre”, “Ishtar”, “Ostarun” or “Ostera”. Easter is the old Teutonic pagan Anglo-Saxon goddess of the spring. She is also referred to as “the goddess of fertility”. This pagan goddess then is associated with the giving of life, the regeneration of life in the spring.

It is not the intent of this paper to debunk the Good Friday/Easter false teaching. That truth can be found elsewhere in many other writings on the subject. The purpose of this paper instead, is to provide guidelines to true believers as to how they as small assemblies or as individuals alone can observe the Passover.

The Passover Service

The fourteenth day of the first month Passover begins at twilight (the time between sunset and darkness) on the fourteenth day of the first month of Yahweh’s sacred calendar. This month is known by the names Abib or Nisan. 

Passover should be observed only by baptized adults who consider themselves to be true believers

Passover is the most solemn observance of the year and should be respectfully treated as such

The unleavened bread and wine should be set out before the service. The bread on a clean plate, and covered with a white linen napkin. The red wine set out in small servers, and also set aside and covered until served.

Opening comments If gathered as an assembly: The leader should begin the service by explaining that this service is a sobering occasion since we are reflecting on the painful suffering and death of our Savior Yahshuah. If you are an individual observing Passover alone, reflect on the subject as per the outline by reading quietly the text and read aloud each scripture as it is given.

Passover is an annual reminder Yahweh has given to His children to remember the unconditional love and sacrifice Yahshuah has shown mankind. Participation in this service is an expression of faith in the reconciling death of Yahshuah and our commitment to allow Yahshuah to relive His life through each of us.

Reading of Scriptures If an assembly: The leader should read aloud all scriptures as given to those assembled. If alone, the individual should read the scriptures aloud to him or her self.

I Corinthians 11:23

Luke 22:7-15

Foot Washing

John 13:1-17

After reading aloud the above scriptures, the leader should explain that Yahshuah instituted this ordinance for His disciples, to illustrate His willingness to unconditionally serve and love us. He commanded that we follow His example and humble ourselves.

Now begins the foot washing ceremony:

Men should wash men’s feet and women should wash women’s feet. Perform the foot washing by taking turns between partners. Do so by placing a partner’s feet in a basin of water while the foot washer with his/her hands washes by gently splashing and rubbing the other’s feet and then with a towel provided by the partner, drie his/her feet. Then switch positions and the other partner should repeat the washing of the other’s feet. Again this should be done quietly and respectfully understanding that it is an act of humility. If an individual is observing the Passover alone he or she would not have a partner, so the best one can do is visualize the foot washing as he or she reads the scriptures relating to the foot washing ceremony.

Introduction to the Bread and Wine

Isaiah 53:3-6,10,12

Matthew 8:16-17

I Peter 2:20-24

The leader should now explain that Yahshuah’s sacrifice was for the healing of our mind and body. Our deserved punishment for our guilt fell upon Yahshuah. Explain that through the sacrifice of Yahshuah we can come before the Father and make all our needs known. Explain that Yahshuah’s sacrifice was given so that we can have our sins forgiven and be reconciled to the Father.

Hebrews 4:14-16

The Bread symbolizes Yahshuah’s broken body

Luke 22:14-15, 19

John 6:32-40, 48-51, 53-58

I Corinthians 10:16-17

I Corinthians 11:24

Explain that the bread is symbolic of Yahshuah’s suffering in our place for our sins. It is symbolic of Yahshuah living in us and our need to live by every word of Yahweh. Yahshuah’s broken body is also for the healing of our illnesses. Eating the bread pictures the unity we share through this symbolism in context of the sacrifice of Yahshuah as our Passover.(Uncover the bread and pray over it, asking Yahweh to bless it as a symbol of Yahshuah’s body, broken for us. Break the bread into small pieces and distribute it among those present.)

The wine symbolizes Yahshuah’s shed blood

Matthew 26:27-28

I John 1:7-9

Hebrews 9:11-15

Romans 3:23-26

Emphasize that it was our sins, the transgression of Yahweh’s law that caused the death of Yahshuah. He died in our stead (I Corinthians 15:3). He paid the death penalty for us.(Uncover the wine and pray over it. Distribute a serving of wine to each person gathered to participate in the service.)

Closing scriptures

John 13:31-35

John 14:7, 12-31

John 15:1-26

John16:12-16, 32-33

John 17:1-26

Matthew: 26:30

The Passover service may be concluded with a hymn but there should be no fellowshipping.. The rest of the evening should be spent reflecting on the ordeal of beatings and crucifixion that Yahshuah will shortly be undergoing on our behalf.

Reminder: The next evening at sunset after the Passover service begins the First Day of Unleavened Bread, a High Day, an annual Sabbath.