“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19).
Passover is a biblical celebration commemorating God’s deliverance of the Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It is also the basis of the Christian communion service. Woven into its symbols, Passover carries an important spiritual message for both Jews and Christians today.
We welcome you to join us as we explore what Passover reveals about our Messiah.
The term “Passover” has come to refer to the primary meal eaten during the week of Unleavened Bread. According to the rabbinic calendar, Unleavened Bread in 2026 will begin on the evening of April 1 and end on the evening of April 9.
Below, we have arranged several events to help Christians reflect on the spiritual significance of this occasion for the church today.
In accordance with the position of the Adventist Church, we do not view biblical holidays as obligatory; rather, we recognize their value as object lessons and witnessing tools.
“The World Jewish Adventist Advisory has come to understand that the celebration of traditional Jewish holidays and feasts as a legitimate form of contextualization in reaching out to the Jewish people. However, we do not understand such practices to constitute literal observance of Levitical rituals. Further, we understand that the literal continuation of the ceremonial sacrifices would constitute a denial of the Messiah, Yeshua, and his salvific fulfillment of those rituals. The festivals and fasts today serve an important and instructional function in light of His sacrifice. Accordingly, we do not believe or teach that observance of any of the Jewish customs, traditions, and practices associated with the annual feasts are obligatory.
“We recognize that all the feasts find their ultimate meaning and purpose in the ministry of the Messiah. We do not teach that those who engage in secular labor on the annual feasts and fasts are transgressors. Neither do we believe that the annual feasts and fasts have equal Biblical standing with the weekly Sabbath.
“On the other hand, we do not believe that it is necessary for Jews to relinquish either their identity as Jews, or their spiritual and cultural traditions, if they affiliate [with] the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Marking biblical feasts and fasts present an opportunity for Seventh-day Adventists, Jews, and non-Jews alike, to experience the key biblical narratives. Marking these key events helps the participants to personally identify with the plan of salvation.
“Engaging the biblical feasts enriches Adventist spiritual growth with holistic worship and liturgical symbolism. It engages the body as well as the mind in true worship. By marking the annual [Jewish] feasts we experience the rhythms of joy as we remember what God has done and what He has promised to do for His children” (World Jewish Adventist Advisory, 15-18 August 2008, Buenos Aires, Argentina).
Schedule of Passover Events
1. Communion Discussion – Wednesday, April 1 @ 6:30 p.m.
Join us online as we discuss the elements of the Passover/Communion meal. We will be using the discussion questions found in the last section of this document.
2. Presentation on Rabbinic Seder Traditions – Saturday, April 4 @ 3:30 p.m.
Rabbi Mark Hart shares his perspective on Passover as an Adventist living in the Orthodox Jewish community.
To join either of these events via Zoom, click here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81732991029?pwd=eStIWU5UQko2SjVUL2UwcklNUWhKUT09
Interesting Passover Facts
Below are a few additional facts about Passover that highlight why this celebration should be of special interest to us as Christians today.
The Seder: The oldest recorded description of a Passover seder meal is found in the Christian scriptures. The Last Supper, which Jesus shares with His disciples in the gospels, describes a seder with many customs and practices that Jews would still recognize today: “And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:14,15).
The Lamb: Although lamb was a central part of the seder plate in biblical times, Jews today do not include lamb in their Passover meal. After the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D., Jews no longer have a sacred place to make the Passover sacrifice. As a result, the seder plate is missing the most important element.
In contrast, the Christian Passover is fully complete. While many Jews and Evangelicals today seek to rebuild the Temple, Adventists see the earthly temple as a transitory copy symbolizing a greater spiritual concept. And when we internalize the symbols of the bread and the wine, we recognize the Lamb of God as our sacrifice: “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: […] So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:24,28).
The name “Jesus” comes from the Latin Iesus, from the Greek Iesous, from the Hebrew Yeshua (short for Yehoshua, meaning Joshua). Jesus’ original name in Hebrew literally means “God saves.” Jesus is Salvation: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name ‘God Saves’; for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). How does Jesus’ name reflect His mission as it relates to Passover?
Preparation for Passover
Below are some additional suggestions for things you might choose to do in preparation for Passover.
Preparing the Home for Unleavened Bread: Before April 1, it is customary to rid one’s home of all products containing leaven. If you choose to implement this practice, here are some suggested steps.
1. Review Relevant Scripture with Your Family
For example, read and discuss Exodus 12:15, Exodus 13:6-7, Matthew 16:6, and 1 Corinthians 5:6-8. What does leaven represent spiritually?
Read Matthew 12:43-45 and Revelation 3:20. What does the home represent spiritually?
2. As You Clean, Contemplate the Spiritual Meaning
Have a conversation with your children about the symbols of leaven, the home, and cleaning. To make the activity more engaging, parents may even hide leavened items throughout the house for children to find.
Keeping the Home Leaven-Free: Now that your home is clean, observing the Feast of Unleavened Bread involves avoiding leaven for one full week. If you choose to do so, here are a few tips for planning meals.
Common unleavened foods include vegetable dishes, fruits (fresh or dried), beans/legumes (e.g., hummus with vegetables or matzo bread), grain-based dishes that don’t contain leaven (e.g., quinoa, rice), matzo meal dishes (e.g., matzo pizza or matzo ball soup), nuts, and seeds.
Avoid leavened foods such as bread, rolls, pasta/noodles, cookies, cakes, some cereals/granola bars, and croutons.
Leaven is sneaky! It creeps into foods you wouldn’t expect. How is leaven’s hidden nature a spiritual lesson in itself?
Whatever you choose to practice in your home, keep in mind that the goal is not the strictness of a ritual but how it serves as an object lesson in your life.
Whenever you shop for groceries or prepare food, meditate on the spiritual meaning of your choices. Whenever you sit down to eat, discuss with your family the importance of maintaining a leaven-free heart. If you’re looking for conversation topics around the dinner table, see the discussion questions provided throughout this handout.
While we may think of this week as a “fast” from leaven, that is not the term used in the Bible. Instead, this period is referred to as the “feast” of unleavened bread. How might this terminology give a clue about the attitude we should have during this observance? What might it mean for us to “feast” on spiritual unleavened bread?
Communion Elements
If you choose to hold a Passover service in your home, you will need the following items.
1. Basins and towels for foot washing
2. Bitter herbs (maror): Choose one or more herbs with a bitter taste, such as horseradish, romaine lettuce, endive, arugula, or heirloom lettuce. To preserve the bitterness, avoid cooking the herbs.
3. Unleavened bread (matzah): Leading up to Passover, you can find matzah in your local kosher market or the kosher section of most grocery stores. Alternatively, you can bake your own matzah using simple recipes that are easily found online.
4. Wine (kos): In accordance with Adventist communion guidelines, we will be using unfermented red grape juice.
Remember How God Has Delivered from Generation to Generation
1. Read Exodus 12:26-27, Exodus 13:8-9, and Exodus 13:14-16.
Why is there an emphasis on children in these passages?
What role do parents and children play in preserving our spiritual heritage?
What are the consequences when we fail to pass down the oracles of our faith?
Exodus Refresher
Quiz your children to see how much they remember from the Exodus story. Skim through Exodus 1-15 for details. You might use questions such as:
Who were the Children of Israel?
Why did the Children of Israel want to leave Egypt?
Who was Pharaoh?
Who were Moses, Aaron, and Miriam?
Who took Moses as her own son?
Egypt
Read Revelation 11:3-8. How does the Bible use Egypt as a broader spiritual symbol, and how does this relate to Christ’s crucifixion?
What is your personal Exodus story?
Throughout this week of Unleavened Bread, share stories of how God has delivered in your life. Be sure to preserve this legacy of faith for future generations.
The Passover Service
Below is a guide for conducting the communion meal. As we partake in the emblems of the Last Supper, reflect on how the Exodus story relates to our salvation from sin through Christ. Be sure to remember the young people as well. Check in with them periodically to see if they understand what we are doing and why it is important.
1. Footwashing (optional): Read John 13:1-17 and Philippians 2:1-8.
Discussion questions
As you perform the ordinance of humility, discuss the following with your partner:
What does the act of footwashing spiritually symbolize?
What might we spiritually gain from allowing ourselves to be placed in uncomfortable or even humiliating situations?
As Christians, are there ways we could push through social discomfort to better serve our community?
2. Bitter Herbs: Read Isaiah 53 and partake of the bitter herbs (maror).
Questions for children
What foods do you think taste really bad? How is sin like a bad taste?
Can you give some examples of how sin causes pain and sadness?
When we sin, what effect does it have on the people around us?
How does God feel about the sin in this world?
What are some ways that people might become trapped in sin?
Group discussion questions
In what ways does our world currently suffer from spiritual bitterness?
3. Unleavened Bread: Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 and partake of the unleavened bread (matzah).
Questions for children
How does matzah bread look and taste different from the bread we normally eat?
Do you know what “leaven” is and what it does to bread?
Group discussion questions
What does leaven represent in our spiritual life? (See Matthew 16:6 and 1 Corinthians 5:6-8).
If you are comfortable sharing, how has spiritual leaven negatively affected your personal life and relationships?
How do we remove leaven from our hearts, our homes and our churches?
4. Wine: Read Hebrews 9:11-15 and partake of the wine.
Questions for children
At the first Passover in Egypt, where did the Children of Israel put the blood of the lamb?
When the angel of death came through Egypt, what happened to the houses that had blood and those that did not?
Who is known as the Lamb of God?
Group discussion questions
What does blood represent spiritually? (See Genesis 4:9-10 and Leviticus 17:11).
How does Jesus’ blood enact the New Covenant as prophesied by Jeremiah? Read Genesis 14:18-20, Jeremiah 31:31-34, and Luke 22:20.
During the Exodus, lamb’s blood on the doorpost was used as a sign (Exodus 12:13). How are we to use Christ’s blood as a sign today?
Further Discussion
What do you think is the spiritual significance of the Exodus story marking the beginning of the year? (Exodus 12:1,2)
At the first Passover, the Children of Israel were to eat the meal in haste, dressed, with staff in hand and shoes on their feet. How might this relate spiritually to the advent message today? Throughout this week of Unleavened Bread, let us continue to meditate on the emblems of Passover and reflect on what Christ’s sacrifice means for us today.
