THE LORD'S PASSOVER                                                                                              HOME  ANNOUNCEMENTS

              The Passover commences each year on Abib (April) 13th at sundown.    "This month
                   came ye out in the month Abib" (Exodus 13:4).  It is the memorial of the Lord passing over
              Egypt and slaying the first born (Exodus 11:4-6) in every house, where there was no blood found
                   on the door post (Exodus 12:7).  Before gathering for this celebration all products with leavening
                   agents are removed from the homes of members  (Exodus 12:15).  And for the seven Days of
                  Unleavened Bread only matzo and foods without leaven are eaten (Exodus 12:19).  This signifies
                  the unleavened cakes eaten by the Israelites who left Egypt and had no time to
                  add leaven to the flour used in making their cakes (Exodus 12:39).

                 Why is this night so special?

                 It is special because it signifies that by a mighty hand the Lord delivered His people
                 from years of bondage and gave them freedom.  The serving of lamb cooked with bitter
                 herbs and served with matzo is a significant part of this service.  The bitter herbs remind
                 us of the hardship under which the Israelites labored in slavery (Exodus 12:8).  

                 It is special because "it is the night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel
                 in their generations."  (Exodus 12:42)  It is a memorial that must be kept as a feast to the
                 Lord.  "Throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever"
                 (Exodus 12:14)

                 Why is this service held at midnight?

                 It is a reminder that it was at midnight that  the Lord passed over Egypt, and destroyed
                 the "firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was
                 in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle" (Exodus 12:29).   And the Israelites were
                 commanded to leave in haste by night.   The Lord led them with a pillar of cloud by day and
                 a pillar of fire by night, through the Red Sea, into freedom.

                 Did Jesus commemorate the Passover?

                 Jesus commemorated the Passover with his disciples in the upper room (St. Matthew 26:17).  He
                 observed the Passover because it must be kept "as an ordinance forever."
               
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