The Beauty of Passover

My heart is deeply stirred with gratitude this morning. For one thing, there is a forecast for some rain to fall on our parched land later today. A Passover blessing! Like so many areas of this country, we desperately need rain and I have been crying out to the only One who can bring it!

Passover was always the highlight of the year for John and me during our marriage. We hosted countless Passover celebrations in our home or in churches or big event venues. But it was the Passover of 2020 that I recall with such precious, treasured memories. The whole country was locked down and forced to stay in our homes. So, John and I celebrated the Passover alone, just the two of us, and in that sweet, intimate time together the Passover came to mean so much more to me than ever before. The Israelites were told to roast the lambs and stay in their homes to eat it!  Now this year, in 2026, they are gathered as best they can with their families, prepared to put down their spoons in the middle of a bite of matzah ball soup and run to their bomb shelters. 

Amit Segal wrote in his blog this morning, "Tonight millions of Israelis will set down their brooms and mops, call an end to the frantic cooking and cleaning, sit down, and tell the story of the Exodus. Many of those Israelis thought they would be somewhere else this year. Aside from those who ironically drove to Egypt to escape Israel for Passover, Israelis are stuck at home - some barred from visiting family in more heavily bombarded parts of the country. "

"Part of the beauty of Passover is that in its wealth of stories, parables, and traditions, it offers powerful lessons for every new generation. " That is so true. History marches on, even repeating itself with current persecutions, anti-Semitic hatreds, and wars. Yet the end of the story is remarkably the same as the beginning. There will be a deliverance for God's people - for those who are trusting steadfastly in Him, keeping His commandments, and holding tightly to Yeshua, our mighty Deliverer!

I need to get out to my kitchen now and get the lamb into the oven to roast, chop apples and walnuts for the charoset, and gather my songs and readings for the Seder.  The moon will rise full, as it does every single year, and I will gather with a group of women, almost all of whom are widows, to rejoice in the powerful blessings of the Passover, to give God glory in our worship, and to shout, as we do every year, "Next year in Jerusalem!"  

I close with a word from The Israel Guys:
Psalm 122 calls us clearly: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” During this appointed season of remembrance, redemption, and miracles, we want to unite our hearts in faith and turn what the enemy intends for evil into an offering of prayer, hope, and blessing before the God of Israel. As missiles are launched toward the Holy Land, may we answer by launching our prayers toward Heaven.
Avinu Malkeinu, our Father, our King
Great and mighty God, Lord of hosts,
You alone are our shield and our defense,
our refuge and our deliverer.
We pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
May peace be within her walls
and security within her borders.
Guard her people, defend the innocent,
confound the plans of the wicked,
and let every weapon formed against Your purposes fail.
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
this is our God, the God of our salvation,
the God of deliverance and redemption.
Let all Israel declare:
"The Lord is our God,
our strength, our shield, and our salvation. "
And let the nations proclaim:
The Lord reigns.!
Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad.
Let all peoples know that the Holy One of Israel
lives and rules in majesty.
Bring comfort to the fearful,
courage to the weary,
wisdom to leaders,
protection to families,
and mercy over the land.
In this season of Passover,
the time of miracles and redemption,
remember Your covenant,
stretch out Your mighty hand once again,
and let Your name be exalted in Jerusalem, in Israel,
and among the nations.
Amen
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