Passover – Pass It On

Passover – Pass It On
(Possibly the most controversial study written on the Passover that you will ever read)

By Jason Jordan

Not until I began to enter into a Nazarene Israelite walk did I realise the significance and necessity for individual believers to celebrate the festivals of YHWH found in Leviticus 23. The fact that every festival was meticulously constructed as a participatory object lesson to train and prepare believers for major prophetic events is barely hinted at within most churches today.

The festival of Passover (Exodus 12, Leviticus 23:5-8) is perhaps the most significant of them all, but at best is only studied by the average Christian, remaining frozen in the pages of Scripture like an ancient custom that ran its course with Messiah’s fulfillment as the perfect sacrificial lamb.

I once believed that the act of acquiring (Exodus 12:3,4), roasting and eating a lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Exodus 12:8-10) was just an old antiquated custom still vainly held onto by the Orthodox Jew and paid significant homage by the vastly different Eucharist ritual, commonly referred to within wider Christianity as “The Lord’s Supper.” The celebration of Easter also served as a suitable distraction to the truth as I danced unknowingly to the beat of Mystery Babylon’s colorful array of replacement pagan festivals.

Much to my surprise the so-called New Testament not only encourages the keeping of Passover by all post-resurrection believers, but that it be done so in its original Hebraic format[1][1]. 1 Corinthians 5:7,8; “Clean out therefore the old chametz (leaven), that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Moshiach (Messiah) our Pesach (Passover) was sacrificed for us: So then let us keep the moed (appointed time), not with old chametz (leaven), neither with the chametz (leaven) of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened matzah (unleavened bread) of sincerity and emet (truth).”

What Part of Forever Do You Not Understand?

The eternal observance of this feast should have come as no surprise to me had I actually read the initial ordinance as delivered in Exodus 12:24; “And you shall observe this word (Passover) as a mishpat (right ruling) for you, and your sons le-olam-va-ed (for ever).” But even if I had, I would have probably fallen for the lie that it was just for the Jews or that the church tradition of consuming a wafer and swallowing a shot glass of grape juice was sufficient. The just for Jews thing becomes a little problematic when the statutes for a sojourner (foreigner) who wishes to observe it is also outlined in Exodus 12:48; “And when a ger (stranger) shall sojourn with you, and desires to shomer (keep) the Pesach (Passover) to YHWH; all his males must perform brit milah (flesh circumcision), and then let them come near and shomer it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat it.” This is all beside the stark fact that the Jews were just one of twelve Israelite tribes who received this festival along with six hundred and twelve other commandments at the base of Mount Sinai. One has to wonder if the above requirement to participate in the festival is one of the reasons why Sha’ul said that there is much advantage in being circumcised[2][2] (Romans 3:1,2).

The Long Road to Truth

During my Christian walk I consecutively attended five different churches and in that time I received no encouragement to study or keep any Appointed Time, much less the Passover, which was faithfully observed by Yahshua and his followers (Matthew 21:1, 9-12, 17-18, 23). The sad fact is that I was not only kept in the dark about the importance of these original customs, but I was encouraged to observe festivals of a completely pagan origin like Christmas and the afore mentioned Easter. Eventually my journey took me from Sunday observance to Sabbath observance. I remained in a Sabbath keeping church for a while, but still felt that I was missing out on something. I began to realise that I had to withdraw from church completely, because I could foresee that there was always going to be some aspect of the Hebraic roots of the original faith that was neglected or rejected in places of official Christian worship. All churches, and I mean all churches, even Jehovah’s Witness and Mormon congregations exhibit obvious evidence of having broken away from mother Rome.

Have you ever noticed how most mainstream church denominations appear to fall short after a major or a set of major revelations? For example:

· The Baptist churches received the revelation of full water immersion, but more or less stop there and continue to follow Rome.

· The Seventh Day Adventist churches received the revelation of the dietary laws and the Sabbath, but more or less stop there and continue to follow Rome.

· The Pentecostal movements received the revelation of tongues but more or less stop there and continue to follow Rome.

· The Jehovah’s Witness (not normally associated with the church) received the revelation of the coming kingdom, but more or less stop there and continue to follow Rome.

· The Protestant movement received the revelation of Apostate Rome, but amazingly continue to follow her in so many respects.

For years I thought that the most authentic body of Bible adherent believers was only going to be found somewhere within a church denomination. I remember meeting a new face at one of the last churches I attended who told me that he was looking for the remnant. He stopped coming after a while and this really played on my nerves because he had obviously not found them at the church I was attending. I sometimes think of him and wonder if his journey is running in the same direction as mine.

Stepping out of the Comfort Zone

Having come out of Christianity and withdrawn from observing pagan holidays it took quite some time to realise that there were a whole set of original Appointed Times given by YHWH for all generations of believers to observe.

Consequently the best material available that examines the significance of Passover is not found within Christian writings, but in Rabbinic and Messianic literature. Passover, or “Pesach” as it is called in Hebrew, historically represents Israel’s deliverance from the bondage of Mitzrayim (Egypt). Spiritually it represents the application of Yahshua’s blood to the doorpost of a believer’s heart and Salvation from the bondage of a sinful world. Pre-resurrection observers of Passover did it in reflection of their exit from slavery and in expectation of Messiah’s future atonement and post-resurrection observers do it in remembrance of the same.

A Constant Ancestral Connection

Modern-day believers are to respond to YHWH as if they had been personally led out of Mitzrayim (Egypt) by Moshe himself. The commandment to eat the roasted lamb in haste (Exodus 12:11) illustrates the swiftness of Israel’s departure from captivity (Exodus 12:34, 39) and reflects a sense of personal inclusion by way of reenactment. Observing Passover in such a manner causes a believer to claim a direct association to Israel’s patriarchs as their personal forefather’s and sends out an appeal to YHWH to maintain a believer’s absorption into the promise of Abraham.

In addition I have also found that without studying crucial aspects of the Passover ritual and seeing its direct relation to Messiah and the historical context surrounding his first and second entry into Jerusalem at the close of his earthly manifestation, so much wonderful detail in the passion story is lost and will remain perpetually opaque to the mind of the casual churchgoer.

Yahshua’s earthly cousin, Rav Yochannan haTivilah (John the Immerser) immediately proclaimed the Messiah’s eligibility as the perfect Passover Lamb when he saw him walking toward him in John 1:29. Looking up through his wild mane and clutching his staff he stated, “Behold, the Lamb of YHWH, who takes away the sin of the olam hazeh (world).”

The Passion, This Time with Passion

Come with me, if you will, over two thousand years ago to the outskirts of Jerusalem as a band of men converge on a city in need of a King. Let me tell you a familiar story, but this time within the context of the social and political climate of the time and take you beyond the sanitised religious rendering of the lead up to the most pivotal moment in the history of all mankind.

Arrival of a Militant Prince of Peace

It is a warm day on the 9th of Abib. Messiah Yahshua is heading to Yahrushalayim (Jerusalem) and for the first time cautions his talmidim (disciples) to exercise extreme caution after word reaches him of the death of several Zealot patriots, who recently tried to secure the city’s perimeter after a general uprising. The incident called for the use of battering rams, which soon toppled the strong tower of Siloam in the Kidron Valley resulting in eighteen deaths. But despite all this, the city continued to swell with people in preparation for Passover.

The Roman colonial occupation and the dominating Herodian rule caused great unemployment, and social division among the Yahudim (Jews), which gave birth to an emergence of a coalition of movements called Zealots who frequently engaged in armed confrontations against Rome, Herod and even amongst themselves. This was the climate in which Yahshua’s ministry evolved and his talmidim needed little coaxing to bear arms if their Master’s life was threatened before his appointed time.

Some of the Messiah’s closest followers were associated with the Zealot movements. Shimon (Simon), one of Yahshua’s talmidim, was known as a Zealot (Luke 6:15) and Rabbi Shimon Kepha (Peter) was called a “Bar-jona” (Matthew 16:17), which means “outlaw” and was a common name for a Zealot. The term “Boanerges” another common Zealot reference means, “Sons of Thunder” and was applied to Yaakov (James) and Yochannan (John) in Mark 3:17.

Before reaching Jerusalem Yahshua pauses at Bethpage and sends two of his talmidim ahead to fetch a “colt” and an “ass” so that Zechariah 9:9 might be fulfilled.

Yahshua makes a highly visible entrance into Yahrushalayim (Jerusalem) as a new claimant to the throne of David (Matthew 21:9). Retribution to any aspirant to this title by the Romans was always swift, but the millions in attendance for Passover keep the occupying garrison of five hundred Roman soldiers at bay.

During Passover the Temple priests would lead a lamb into Yahrushalayim (Jerusalem) as an offering to be slain. These lambs, like Yahshua, were born and breed in Bethlehem. When the time came they, like Yahshua, would be paraded through the city before being slain. This would culminate with the animal’s throat being cut by the high priest who would utter the familiar words, “It is finished.”

Restoring the Temple

Yahshua goes to the Temple and with the help of his talmidim forcefully throws out the money exchangers, those selling sacrificial animals and illegally appointed priests (John 2:11-17). He even commandeers a whip and uses it to drive out the animals from the Temple court. This is not a moment of uncontrolled rage, but a fulfilment of Jeremiah 7:11 as he forcefully removes undesirables and reforms the illegal Edomite (Arab) priesthood.

By the time of Yahshua’s ministry less than three out of the twenty-eight high priests that presided in the Temple were of A’aronic decadency. Because non-A’aronic priests were unable to sanctify themselves, the ordinance to sanctify the Temple on the 1ST of Abib (Ezekiel 45:18-20) was no longer observed. 2 Chronicles 30:3; “For they could not keep it at that time, because the kohanim (priests) had not set themselves apart sufficiently…” Therefore Yahshua had to set the Temple apart in order for his death to be in accordance with the Torah and the writings of the prophets.

Yahshua and his most devoted followers marshal full control of the Temple compound. For two days, the sacrificial system is postponed as the priesthood is culled, restructured and the Temple cleansed. The entire priestly quarter of Yahrushalayim (Jerusalem) is in Yahshua’s control. (Note: no aspect of the Passover ritual is cancelled at this time. If it were, he would have been perceived as the Moshiach Neged [negative Messiah / Anti-Christ] as mentioned in Daniel 9:27) Yahshua proceeds to preach a message with an apocalyptic emphasis, heal people and enter into dialogue with the Pharisees, scribes and attorneys. With the high number of attendees for Passover, postponement of this duration threatens to be a major financial blow to the corrupt Pharisee and Sadducee authorities. However the corrupt high priest, Caiphas withholds sending in his Sadducean Temple guards and calling for Roman assistance because a substantial monetary lose was far better than a riot (Matthew 26:5).

Those Crazy Zealot Yahoos

Zealot patriots, knowing Yahshua’s allegiance with the multitudes, his powers over nature and his ability to heal and raise the dead to life, take advantage of the political environment and this time successfully stage a coup and seal off the Temple Mount, the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives. Bara-abba (Barabbas) being one of the ringleaders is captured and detained for murder, but later released by Pilot (Luke 23:19; “Who for a certain uprising made in the city…”). The Zealots completely expect Yahshua to lay full claim to the Messianic legacy by militant force! However, instead of engaging the Sadducean Temple guards and the Roman garrison stationed at the Antonia tower in battle, Yahshua heals the sick and ministers once the Temple is secured. This is a live demonstration of the true “Kingdom of YHWH.”

On the first evening Yahshua leaves around seventy of his most trusted followers, most of them armed Zealots, to guard the Temple courts while he spends the night in Bethany (Matthew 21:17). Yahshua illustrates complete compliance to the Pharisaical and Zealot view of the militant aspect of the Davidic family by later personally encouraging his twelve talmidim to personally arm themselves in Luke 22:36-38. These verses and their implications have been continually played down and glossed over by the church for centuries.

Yahshua goes with his twelve talmidim out to the Mount of Olives and settles there in the Garden of Gethsemane, which means, “the garden of the olive press.” He acquaints his talmidim with the exact place where he will one day stand and split the earth before a great battle as prophesied in Zechariah 14:4.

On the 10th of Abib when the Passover lamb is normally set aside (Exodus 12:3) Yahshua heads out to Bethany and is anointed (John 12:3). This occurs on the Sabbath in the presence of Lazarus, Miriam (Mary), Martha (John 12:2) and Yahudah (Judas).

This is Not a Dress Rehearsal!

From Bethany, the same place where Passover lambs start their processional, Yahshua emerges on the 11th of Abib for a second triumphant entry into the city. His followers clog the road to meet him, laying their tallits (prayer shawls) and palm branches across his path as he enters (Mark 11:8). So great is the commotion over this man entering the city on a donkey (John 12:15) that it interferes with the commencement of the usual Passover ritual prompting the Pharisees to complain (Luke 19:39). They cry out to Yahshua, “Tell your talmidim and these people to be silent!” They’re frustration reaches boiling point as the normal lamb processional is being held up and completely overshadowed by the One True Lamb that was announced by Abraham (Genesis 22:8).

The Pharisees have absolutely no idea that this day was the day that all their previous Passover rehearsals had pointed to. They were oblivious to the fact that this ritual, after being practiced for thousands of generations was finally unfolding right before their very eyes.

At this point Yahshua’s ministry reaches the peak of its earthly authority as the Jewish masses celebrate his every move. Despite functioning without an organised army he manages to successfully cleans the Temple and preach from its courts without being apprehended. The Zealots who were largely made up of break-away Pharisees applauded his action in the Temple as being long overdue. Even the Temple guards began to recognise Yahshua as a lawful heir to the throne of David.

Key Events in King David’s Life Forecast the Trials of Messiah

Yahshua spends each evening at the Mount of Olives, located about a mile East out of Jerusalem (Luke 21:37,38). It was at this same location where King David took refuge in times of trouble and where Ezekiel saw the fiery wheels of YHWH. Some similarities in King David’s life uncannily parallel that of Messiah. Absalom, David’s disillusioned son, managed to gain the support of his father’s most trusted ally as a co-conspirator and launched an assault against him with the exchange of a kiss. David even ascended the Mount of Olives when he learned of his son’s intention to attack Jerusalem and the betrayal of his chief councilor Ahithophel the Gilonite.

On the morning of the 12th of Abib, whilst on his way to preach in the Temple, Yahshua stops at a fig tree to acquire food, but causes it to supernaturally wither after finding it has nothing to offer. This act demonstrates the judgment of one who bears no fruit as prophesied in Jeremiah 8:13. Yahshua’s talmidim look on in disbelief. He swiftly tells them that they possess the same potential even in the vicinity of altering major geographical locations at a single utterance. This is perhaps a snapshot of Yahshua’s method of sculpting landmasses at the dawn of creation. On his arrival to the Temple he is forced to turn out more merchants (Mark 11:15,16) before resuming his teachings.

A War of Words

The following day on the 13th of Abib the Pharisees ask him plainly, “…By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” (Mark 11:28). Yahshua takes a deep breath and carefully responds with another question, deflecting the earnest back on them, “By what authority was Rav Yochannan’s immersion ministry given? Was it by heaven or by men?” Reluctant to answer, Yahshua presses them further, “Tell Me!” Complete silence falls over the crowds who have assembled to hear him preach. They all know that if the Pharisees answer saying, “heaven,” they will expose their unfounded prejudice toward Yahshua and if they answer saying, “men,” they will incur the wrath of the Zealots. Finally, they reply. “We don’t know.” Then Yahshua concludes by stating: “Neither do I tell you by what I authority I am doing these things” (Mark 11:33).

The Watchmen in the Wilderness

Most of the rightful descendant to the Temple priesthood had been exiled to the Essene wilderness community of Qumran. This is why John the immerser was found ministering near this region and why Yahshua recognised his authority as a forerunner as is prophesied in Isaiah 40:3 and reiterated in Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4 and John 1:23. A close examination of the Scriptures will reveal that John the Immerser resided at a town called Beth-Bara located eight miles from Qumran (John 1:28) and like Yahshua had his own entourage of talmidim (disciples) (John 1:35). The Dead Sea Scrolls further validate John’s association to this exiled settlement with the discovery that locusts were a part of the community’s diet. Matthew 3:4 and Mark 1:6 confirm that John ate locusts, a food determined as Kosher in Leviticus 11:20-23. Another indication of John’s connection to Qumran is the emphasis placed on water immersion in his ministry and its great importance reflected in some of the community’s discovered manuscripts. Having said this there are some noteworthy differences with John and the general viewpoint of the Essene, which suggests that he may have formed a breakaway sect around the time of Yahshua’s immersion. One major difference was the evangelical emphasis of John’s ministry and the Essenes’ blanket aversion to associating with men of ill repute (Man. Disc. Ix 21-26).

An Honest Question by a Pharisee

The verbal melee between Yahshua and his accusers continues to escalate in the Temple court. A sincere Sophrim (Scribe) perceives that the Messiah’s handling of the Pharisee’s questions is exceptional. This prompts him to ask the question, “Which is the most important mitzvah (love deed) of all?” (Mark 12:28). Yahshua answers straight out of the Torah when he says, “The first of all the mitzvoth is Shema (Hear), Yisrael; the Master YHWH is our Elohim, the Master YHWH is Echad (One): And you shall love the Master YHWH your Elohim with all your lev (heart), and with all your being, and with all your mind, and with all your strength [Deuteronomy 6:4,5]: this is the first mitzvah, And the second is like it, namely this; you shall love your neighbour as yourself [Leviticus 19:18]. There are no other mitzvoth greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31).

There is an unmistakable urgency to his teaching now. The apocalyptic emphasis of his message provokes more people to turn out earlier to hear him preach each day (Luke 21:37-38). His sayings at this time chiefly consist of predicting his own death, a great cataclysm that would befall the Jews and the destruction of the Temple by the Romans.

The Last Anointing

Matthew 26:1-5; “And it came to pass, when Yahshua had finished all these sayings, He said to His talmidim, You know that after two days is the moed (feast) of the Pesach (Passover), and the Ben (son of) Adam (man) is betrayed to be impaled.”

Yahshua receives a second anointing out at Bethany, this time with all his talmidim present in the house of Shimon the jar merchant (Matthew 26:6). When a woman, moved by the Ruach, goes to apply pistachio ointment to him, his followers, like Judas, object, but are told, “…Leave her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a tov (good) mitzvah (love deed) for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you desire, you may do them tov: but Me you have not always. She has done what she could: she has come before the time to anoint My body for its burial.” (Mark 14:6-8).

The Karaite (cariot) Movement

About the same time, Yahudah the Karaite (Judas Iscariot) secretly (though it was no secret to Messiah) met with the chief priests to negotiate a price for his Master’s capture. Yahudah had become quietly disillusioned by Yahshua’s interpretation of the Scriptures. The Karaites were a break-away sect of Sadducees who, like the Sadducees, did not believe in the resurrection or the existence of angels. They viewed private interpretation of the Torah as completely acceptable despite this philosophy going completely against Scripture (2 Peter 1:2). They did not follow after the teachings of the Pharisees or the Teachers of the Torah, but instead saw the rabbinical movement in general as an apostate régime. Neither did they believe that the Davidic King was to be sacrificed, but was to lead a great military victory before ushering in the New Kingdom. Yahudah still carried some of this baggage from his association with the Karaites and only a gentle nudge by HaSatan was needed to enable him to do the unthinkable. Yahudah rationalised his decision to have Yahshua apprehended by thinking that it would somehow provoke him and his followers to physically defend themselves and pave the way for a militant take over. HaSatan operated, as he usually does, by suggesting that a forced confrontation might hasten the Nazarene’s clemency to the Davidic throne, rather than instantly try to induce a complete about face in the mind of a trusted member of Yahshua’s inner circle.

The Last Supper

Yahshua and his twelve most trusted followers assemble in a large fully furnished upper room of a volunteered temporary dwelling. It was arranged and acquired in the exact manner that the Messiah foretold (Mark 14:14).

Once settled, Yahshua almost immediately launches into a barrage of hard to swallow revelations. He reveals his betrayer, his imminent desertion, Peter’s denial, servant hood in the kingdom, a command to bear arms if need be, and the nearness of his own suffering and death.

The traditional manner of performing the Passover meal was formulated by the Rabbis based on passages in the Torah. Interestingly Yahshua does not alter any rabbinical aspect of its practice and symbolism, but instead reveals yet another layer of meaning by showing its Messianic context (Matthew 26:27,28, Luke 22:19).

The last supper was a preparation meal, which, ironically is only practiced to this day within Orthodox Judaism[3][3], though some Messianic congregations are catching on.

The Passover meal took place just before or prior to the slaughter of the Passover lamb. Its absence from the last supper should be testimony enough that this was not the time when it was consumed. The preparation meal occurred at 5pm on the 14th of Abib while the Passover meal commenced on the night of the 15th. The Passover lambs were killed between 3-6pm on the 14th (Exodus 12:6) and are confirmed in Numbers 9:5 as being consumed in the evening of the 15th. The lamb was to be completely disposed of before the angel of death swept through Goshen at midnight (Exodus 12:12). This took place before Israel’s departure from Mitzrayim early in the morning on the same day as the Passover meal (Exodus 12:17). Remember, days according to Scripture are reckoned from sundown to sundown. The eating of the Passover lamb in haste (Exodus 12:11) confirms that there was no lag time between its consumption and Israel’s departure from the land of bondage. The preparation meal or “meal of Messiah” took place on the 14th prior to the Passover slaughter followed by the Passover meal on the night of the 15th just prior to the Exodus.

Yahshua’s Arrest

Having now narrowed his followers from seventy, to twelve and now three, Yahshua brings his most devoted into the Garden of Gethsemane for a heavy concentrated effort of prayer. His followers pray so hard that they collapse from sorrow (Luke 22:45). Yahshua wakes them and is still speaking when the sound of many footsteps can be heard.

Yahudah the Karaite appears at the head of a large throng of armed men dispatched by the illegitimate Edomite high priest Caiphas. The mob consists of the high priest’s servants, a detachment of soldiers and an array of officials. They carry swords, clubs and torches more suited to face off against a band of armed Zealots then an arrest of a single individual. Yahudah walks ahead and approaches the Messiah (Luke 22:47). He sarcastically greets him with the title “Rabbi,” a term normally detested among Karaites (Mark 14:48). He then leans forward to kiss him, but Yahshua withdraws momentarily and asks, "Yahudah, do you betray the Ben Adam (son of man) with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48) Yahudah persists with his kiss and the Messiah responds with, "Beloved Chaver (friend), why have you come, what have you done?"

Yahshua, perhaps sensing that Yahudah has just begun to realise what he has done, steps past him to face the waiting mob and asks, “Whom do you seek?” (John 18:4) They answer, “Yahushua Ha Natzaret.”

When Yahshua utters the words, “I AM,” his captors recoil and shrink to the ground (John 18:6). This looks completely bizarre as a well armed group of men, most of them soldiers, instantly spin around and collapse in a heap by an unseen force.

Momentarily shocked and disorientated, they stagger to their feet, groping for their torches and weapons. Knowing full well the identity of Messiah due to Yahudah’s kiss, but now afraid, they decide to save face and turn their attention to Yahshua’s followers.

Yahshua again asks, “Whom do you seek?” (John 18:7) Bracing themselves for another fall, they hesitantly respond with the same answer, “Yahushua Ha Natzaret.”

“I have told you that I am: if therefore you seek Me, are looking for me, let these (men) go there way.” His very words flow with power as they compel his captors to fulfill the writings of the Prophets. They obediently change tact and move toward him. Yahshua’s talmidim quickly enquire as to whether they should now take arms. But before he responds, Peter launches himself at one of the servants of the high priest. He swings his sword horizontally in an attempt to achieve a decapitation in the hopes of striking fear into the mob. His target reacts quickly and tilts his head to one side as they blade catches his ear severing it completely (John18:10). The Messiah instantly retrieves the detached ear and brings it up to the side of his head. Within seconds he withdraws his hand and the ear is restored.

Yahshua ministers sternly to Peter saying, “Put up again your sword into the sheath, for all those that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Do you not understand that I can meet My enemies and that I can now make tefillah (prayer) to my Abba, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of heavenly malachim (angels)? But how then shall the Keetvay HaKadosh (the whole Scriptures) of the Tanach (all of the Old Testament) be fulfilled, that it has to be this way?” (Matthew 26:52-54). Not even Yahshua’s own students are going to stop him from his appointment at the hangman’s tree. He then turns to address the chief priests and officers, ''Have you come out, like against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the Beit HaMikdash (the Temple), you did not even point your hands against Me: but this is your time, and the power of darkness.”(Luke 22:52-53).

All the way through this encounter there is a sense that Yahshua’s sole concern is that it run according to prophecy and hence according to the Father’s will. In some instances he is found virtually guiding his captors through the encounter. In the case of Yahudah’s dialogue with Messiah it resonates like a bad school play when an actor stammers on a line and is carried by a fellow performer. From receiving his kiss to the final release of his last breath, Yahshua maintains complete control over each situation to see that every aspect of his capture beating and death occur in strict accordance with the Scriptures. Having prayed almost to the point of passing out (Luke 22:43–44), the Messiah’s resolve and focus had now reached an all time high. He was thoroughly determined to be beaten, ridiculed and hung. He gave up his life willingly and with joy he looked toward this brutal, yet pivotal phase of his ministry.

Yahshua’s Trial

An influential Sadducee named Annas was appointed as high priest by the Roman governor of Syria, Publius Sulpicius Quirinius, but had since been removed from office. Ironically he managed to maintain a much tighter control of the Temple functions by running it as a privately owned business. He had five sons in the priesthood plus Caiphas who was his son-in-law and the current official high priest. Caiphas never made a move without first consulting Annas.

In Yahshua’s day, the Sadducees, from which the Karaite movement evolved, had formed an alliance with the Herodians. This caused the Sanhedrin to reach new moral lows in the administration of judgments and rulings as they made decisions based on outside political pressure and materialistic gain. Though they did not accept the authority of the prophets whose writings were held in high esteem by the Pharisees, they adhered to the Mosaic criminal justice system with inquisitional precision. It was in this climate and with men of this disposition that Yahshua was to be found guilty of blasphemy. Contrary to popular belief, the trial, though driven by a biased judiciary, did not unfold as an obvious illegal proceeding despite many academic claims to the contrary.

The major points that support an illegal trial are as follows:

Capital cases begin with the defense rather than prosecution [Mishnah, Sanhedrin 4.1(e)].
The accused is not required to testify against himself [Talmud pp.167-168].
Trails were not to take place on the eve of a Sabbath or festival day. [Mishnah, Sanhedrin 4:1 (k-l)].
A unanimous verdict of guilty was not permitted by the Sanhedrin [Mishnah, Sanhedrin 4:1 (f)].

Despite the above rulings pertaining to normal trials of an accused, there was a loophole in Yahshua’s case that the Sadducees exploited. Yahshua was tried as a “mesith” (one who leads the nation astray) and according to Sanhedrin law for such a one the functions of a normal trial are reversed!

“It is the reverse in the case of a Mesith, for the Divine Law states, Neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him...Because such are more or less devoid of paternal tenderness [Tosef. Sanh. VII and X; Talmud, Sanhedrin 36b and 36b (6)].” And, “His case may be begun by day and finished by night; they may begin and end it on the same day, whether he be guilty or not; they may arrive at a verdict by a majority of one whether it be for conviction or acquittal; all may plead for acquittal or all for conviction; one who pleads for acquittal may retract and plead for conviction. The eunuch and the childless can act as judges, and, according to R. Jehuda, even those who are biased in the direction of severity [Tosefta, Sanhedrin X, 11].” Furthermore, “In capital cases they begin not with the case for prosecution, but with the case for the defence, EXCEPT ONLY IN THE CASE OF A BEGUILER TO IDOLATRY (Mesith), and, according to R. Jehoshua, the son of Karha, THE CASE OF ONE WHO LEADS A TOWN ASTRAY [Tosefta, Sanhedrin VII:2].”

The Sanhedrin was made up of seventy-one members at the time of Yahshua’s trial. The judicial arm of the council consisted of only twenty-three members of this body. Nicodemos and Joseph of Arimathea, Yahshua’s most influential supporters, were part of a conservative group of Pharisees within the Sanhedrin that were not normally called upon to hear criminal cases and were therefore absent from the proceedings. If Yahshua’s trial ran blatantly against the Mosaic Law all twenty-three judiciary members would have faced the wider body of the Sanhedrin to answer for their deeds.

After being blindfolded and beaten, Yahshua is first taken to Annas who is curious to find out exactly what he teaches and ascertain the number who follow him. Anna’s general questions were also primarily motivated to uncover a crime. This, and his failure to inform the accused of his crime was illegal according to Torah, but he at that time held no official position within the Sanhedrin. Neither were the Temple guards instructed by the Sanhedrin authority to beat him. They saw him as a leader of a Zealot movement and therefore needed no prompting to do him prior physical harm.

The location of Yahshua’s questioning before Annas being away from the Hall of Hewn Stones, where all accused were questioned, cannot be considered something that the Sanhedrin could be held libel, as it was an independent decision of Caiphas to have him sent to his father-in-law. No doubt to show off, because Yahshua had caused considerable monetary loss to Annas by consecutively kicking out his merchants from the Temple court.

There is no doubt that Yahshua was processed illegally, but this was primarily due to the actions of Caiphas, and not the judiciary arm of the Sanhedrin, which had to implement a reversed judicial protocol in the case of one who leads the nation astray.

So like a lamb to the slaughter (literally), Yahshua is swiftly moved onto the next faze of his atonement for mankind.

Yahshua’s Beatings

Caiphas knew that presenting Yahshua before Pontius Pilot on the Jewish charge of blasphemy would achieve little. So he emphasised the proclamation that he was King of the Jews. This would get the prefect’s attention by exhibiting the Messiah as a potential threat to Roman authority. This is why Yahshua was executed according to the Roman custom of crucifixion as apposed to the Jewish custom of stoning for such a crime (Deuteronomy 13:10, John 10:33). Having Yahshua hung from a tree was also preferred by Caiphas and his cronies because it might be seen among Jews as a theological benefit based on Deuteronomy 21:23; “…He that is hanged will be cursed by Elohim…” However, their blindness prevented them from recalling Isaiah’s words, “…yet we did reckon Him beaten, smitten of Elohim and afflicted (cursed).” (Isaiah 53:4) So like clever fools they strove to achieve their goal, unaware that they were fulfilling Messianic prophecy to the very letter.



Contrary to Mel Gibson’s portrayal of a thoughtful and compassionate Pontius Pilot in his Passion film, history reveals the Roman prefect of Judea to be a cruel, inflexible and corrupt governor who had little concern for the welfare of Jews, much less Jewish trouble makers. The Hellenised Jewish philosopher, Philo, wrote that Pilate’s stint as governor regularly consisted of “briberies, insults, robberies, outrages, wanton injustices, constantly repeated executions without trial, and ceaseless and grievous cruelty.”



Pilot’s disrespect for Jews was legendary. During his tenure he attempted to erect statues of Caesar in Jerusalem and successfully used Temple funds to build an aqueduct. Pilate's continued difficulty with Jews eventually caused him to be removed from office by the Syrian governor Vitellius. He was subsequently brought to Rome to face charges of excessive cruelty and later exiled to Vienna, France.



Yahshua’s second round of questioning, this time before Pilot, has a reverse affect as it reveals something embarrassing about the Roman prefect. That is, his apparent failure to grasp the concept of truth (John 18:38). Whether he had a real struggle with this fundamental principle or he was just trying to sound intellectual, Pilot was not a complete idiot when it came to avoiding civil unrest. His reluctance to execute Messiah was not in any way driven by humanitarian concern, but that the Passover crowds might be appeased lest they cause a riot and turn on his garrison. Just days prior to Yahshua’s audience with Pilot this man’s entry into Yahrushalayim caused such a favourable commotion with the multitude that a decision to put him to death would be at best unwise. Despite his self professed inability to identify truth, the Scriptures record that he eventually perceives that envy is the real reason for the Sadducees eagerness to have Yahshua hung (Matthew 27:11).



After Pilot deems Messiah as being no threat, he is sent to King Herod (Luke 23:1-7) who seems more concerned about seeing him perform parlour tricks. Yahshua remains silent, quietly fulfilling Isaiah 53:7. Disappointed, Herod mocks him, arrays him in an expensive robe and sends him back to Pilot (Luke 23:8-12).



The Roman Prefect sees no opportunity in flexing the muscle of his authority in executing a Jew who was so eagerly wanted dead by fellow Jews. Neither could he gain much satisfaction in harming a captive who would not verbally defend himself or put forward any objection to his treatment. He therefore offers to release him according to a goodwill custom that the Romans observed every Passover. Instead, this makes the gathering of no more than a hundred accusers that many have been led to believe were hundreds of Jews, become angry and they begin to show signs of rioting. Having already sensed that Pilot would use this custom as an avenue to have Yahshua released, certain chief priests went among the crowd and urged them to make an appeal to release Bara-abba (Barabbas), a vicious Jewish Zealot (Matthew 27:20). The crowds oblige and when Pilot asks “What shall I do with Yahshua, who you call the Moshiach?” They respond with “Let him be hanged!” Bara-abba is released and this act is a microscopic demonstration of Yahshua’s goal as he takes the punishment that is deserved for a sinner.



In an act of complete hypocrisy, which is portrayed in Gibson’s Passion film as noble, Pilot finds no charge against Yahshua, publicly absolves himself of the matter, but continues to punish and execute him under Roman law. Pilot did not surrender Yahshua over to Jewish judicial law, he surrendered him to Caiphas and the other Edomite priests who wanted him to be hung as apposed to stoned. In the hopes that he would be cursed by YHWH!



He washes his hands and then has Messiah scourged with a cat-o-nine-tails that rips so much flesh off him that it exposes bone. This ordeal fulfils Isaiah 50:6. Yahshua is then dragged away to the next stage of his atonement for mankind. Roman soldiers hold him down while they squeeze a jagged ring of thorns onto his head signifying a crown (Matthew 27:29). They then adorn him in another robe and spit and mock him long enough for his lacerated flesh to congeal to the material before they tear if off. He is then humiliated further, bashed and re-clothed in his own garments. His tallit by this time is torn and soaked with his own blood, dirt and saliva.



Crucifixion



A detail of soldiers is sent to fetch two Jewish Zealots to join Yahshua. Pilot orders signs to be drawn up to exhibit the crimes of each condemned man. Much to the detriment of Caiphas and his buddies the sign above Messiah’s head reads, “Yahshua the Nazarene, King of the Yahudim (Jews).” They had requested it read, “So-called king of the Jews.”



The three men are given heavy cross-beams of olive wood, arranged in single file and led away. Yahshua’s injuries cause the movement of the column to slow considerably. A mounted Roman centurion who is keeping an eye on the precession notices that Messiah is teetering on passing out. He quickly orders an onlooker, a pagan man by the name of Simon of Cyrene to take up the beam (Matthew 27:32). The precession resumes at a steady pace and continues to a place named Golgotha, also known as the “Place of Skulls.”



As Yahshua drags his feet along the road, onlookers increase on all sides. Among them he sees a group of Jewish women weeping bitterly. To them he says the following words; “Daughters of Yahrushalayim, weep not for Me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For see the days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breast that never nursed. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green eytz (tree), what shall be done in the dry?” The green tree signifies Judah in the land and the dry tree is Judah in Exile. Forty years from this time those of these women who remained alive and their children would witness unspeakable horror as Yahrushalayim is laid siege to and raised to the ground.



Once at the correct location, the condemned are stripped naked and dressed in loin clothes in a token effort to respect Jewish law. Yahshua is hung first. An executioner clad in an apron steps forward with two centurions. They lay Yahshua along the vertical beam and straighten out one of his arms. One soldier rests his knee on the inside of Yahshua’s elbow as the second soldier secures the forearm. The executioner places Messiah’s hand at a specific point on the horizontal beam. The nail is pressed in the centred of the wrist and driven straight through the flesh to the wood with one very swift and well trained blow. It is then hammered in repeatedly until the flat head of the nail touches skin. Since ancient times anatomists saw the wrist as forming part of the hand. This process is repeated with the other hand. The feet are next. The right foot is placed over the left and another nail is driven clean through both limbs. The trunk, with Yahshua attached, is lifted up and fastened into to the ground and the whole process is repeated with the two Zealots.



The duration of Yahshua’s pain seems to linger, prompting him to echo the words of King David, “Eli-Yahuweh, Eli-Yahuweh, why are you keeping me?” (Matthew 27:46). Contrary to popular belief the Messiah did not say the Aramaic equivalent of the word “forsaken.” The Book of Matthew was originally written in Hebrew as is attested to by the early church Father Epiphanius:



“They (the Nazarenes) have the Goodnews according to Matthew in its entirety in Hebrew. For it is clear that they still preserve this, in the Hebrew alphabet, as it was originally written.” Epiphanius; Panarion 29



Corrupt Greek translations preferred by Western scholars have birthed countless Christian apologetics concerning this verse of Scripture.



A soldier who is nearby hears Yahshua’s call and takes a sponge filled with vinegar. He puts it on a long stick for him to drink, but it is not accepted. Then Yahshua speaks his last flesh incarnate words, “It is finished.” He then breaths his last breathe and goes onto the next phase of his ministry, beneath the earth.



Conclusion



Yahshua is the goal of all the Torah and the destination point of every aspect of the Passover ritual. YHWH declared Pesach (Passover) to be observed throughout every generation (Exodus 12:2,6,13-14) for anyone who wishes to take a hold of the promises of Abraham. It was never presented as a custom to be reserved for a single tribe (Judah) or to be changed, postponed or done away with. Officially recognised religious teachers who do not teach it, teach against it or teach it in an alternate form will be judged. Ignorance is no excuse, because a formerly trained teacher would have had to buy into the lie (taught within Christian seminary schools) that it was done away with or just for Jews to receive permission to start an official church tour of duty. Ignorant lay preachers who do the same may be in circumstances where there are very few trained teachers available, and this will be between them and YHWH. Some third world countries at different times of the year have congregations who loss ministers to militia at a rate of one per week.



What am I doing Passover for Again?



Passover is a demonstrative object lesson that reminds believers of Israel’s deliverance from the bondage of Mitzrayim and the deliverance of each individual from the bondage of sin. It also reminds believers of the blood that was shed by Messiah and its application to the doorpost of the heart. It was to foreshadow a supernatural victory for all pre-resurrection believers and a memorial of the same event to post resurrection believers.



How do I do it?



Passover is to commence at the beginning of months (Exodus 12:2). This occurs in the first month of Nisan on the Jewish calendar. You’ll need to get a Jewish calendar or access one on the internet.



To celebrate Passover you’ll need some lamb (if possible a first born male). We usually have designated members of our congregation purchase some lamb from a Kosher butchers on the eve of Passover - usually enough so that it may be all eaten in the same night (Exodus 12:8). It must be eaten with unleavened bread (Exodus 12:8). Leaven represents sin. The lamb must be eaten with bitter herbs (Exodus 12:8). The bitter herbs represent the trials of Messiah and our own daily trials as we try to walk in perfection in a fallen world. The lamb must be eaten in haste (Exodus 12:11). This represents an eagerness to leave the influences of the world and run toward Messiah and onto true life (Luke 19:5-6). A staff must be in your hand (Exodus 12:11). A believer must have his walking staff on hand to leave quickly. A stick will suffice.



It is to be observed at the going down of the sun (Deuteronomy 16:2,6). It has to take place at a residence where YHWH’s name is proclaimed (Deuteronomy 16:2,6). Not God or Lord, but YHWH! No bones in the lamb must be broken (Exodus 12:43-46). This represents Yahshua’s bones remaining intact on the hangman’s tree.



Here id perhaps the most controversial requirement. Male participants of Passover must be circumcised (Exodus 12:48). Flesh circumcision was always a sign of inward spiritual circumcision.



No laborious work is to be done during Passover and it must take place as a group experience (if possible) (Exodus 12:16). Songs of rejoicing are sung during Passover (Exodus 15:1, 19-21). For a detailed break down of a Passover Seder Service I recommend a book by Edward Chumney called The Seven Festivals of the Messiah. Passover Seders are available in various forms for free all over the internet. I recommend ones that refer to Messiah Yahshua, but also retain a degree of rabbinical structure. Yahshua had no problem with the Pharisees teachings. He had a problem with the way they lived (Matthew 23:1-3). If you’re not confident in holding a Passover Seder on your own I recommend finding a group who observe it.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1][1] This is evident by the verse’s reference to the symbolic act of cleansing personal dwellings of all leaven (leaven representing sin). This ritual is most likely where the Western concept of “spring cleaning” originated.

[2][2] Flesh circumcision is a sign of righteousness (Romans 4:11) and an outward physical manifestation of circumcision of the heart as first taught in Deuteronomy 10:16. 1 Corinthians 7:19 merely points out that flesh circumcision on its own is worthless. Circumcision is a token of the Sinai Covenant.

[3][3] The Lubavitch movement (a respected sect within orthodox Judaism) has always observed a prior Passover meal as a training lesson. In Yahshua’s time it was seen as a preparation or rehearsal and treated with exactly the same respect as the Passover meal itself.

By Jason Jordan