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Rediscovering Pesach: What the Church Forgot and What Messianic Judaism Remembers
- Cassidy Sloan
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
Over the centuries, much of the Christian church has drifted from its Jewish roots—especially when it comes to Biblical holidays. One appointed time that’s often overlooked in Protestant Christianity is Passover (Pesach).
In this post, I want to give a little background on Passover, explain how it historically connects with Easter, and take a closer look at how Messianic Judaism keeps the tradition alive today. We'll also consider how this contrast affects our worship and understanding of Yeshua.
A Look Back: The Origins of Passover
We first encounter Passover in the book of Exodus. In a mighty display of justice and mercy, Adonai delivered the Hebrews from Pharaoh’s grip through a series of ten devastating plagues (Exodus 7–11, TLV). Before the final plague, the Hebrews were instructed to slaughter a spotless year-old male lamb and spread its blood across their doorposts and lintels. That night, they ate the lamb with unleavened bread (matzot) and bitter herbs. When the Angel of Death passed through Egypt, every house without the lamb’s blood suffered the loss of the firstborn (Exodus 12:1–12).
This event marked the turning point—Pharaoh let the Hebrews go. From then on, the people were commanded to remember their deliverance through a yearly observance: “...throughout your generations, you are to keep it as an eternal ordinance” (Exodus 12:14–17).
Yeshua and the Passover Meal
Fast forward to the New Testament. The Jewish people were still faithfully observing Passover, and Yeshua was no exception. The night before His crucifixion, He kept the Passover with His disciples (Luke 22:15). But something significant happened that night. Yeshua didn’t just participate—He redefined the elements of the meal. He took the matzah and the wine and gave them new meaning, revealing that they represented His own body and blood (Luke 22:19–22). In doing so, He connected His coming sacrifice to the original Passover lamb—whose blood once saved a nation. Now, His blood would save the world (Hebrews 9:23–28).
Even after Yeshua’s resurrection, His followers continued to keep Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7), not as a relic of the past, but as a living reminder of His redeeming work.
How Messianic Jews Celebrate Passover Today
Messianic Jewish communities around the world still hold to the richness of the Passover story—but with a lens that magnifies Yeshua. A particularly beautiful tradition is the afikomen, a piece of matzah that’s broken in two. One half is wrapped in a white cloth and “hidden” as if buried. It returns later in the meal—symbolizing resurrection. This matzah is pierced, bruised, and broken, a striking picture of Yeshua Himself. Then there’s the third cup of wine—the Cup of Redemption. It recalls the lamb’s blood that delivered the Hebrews from slavery, and now also points to the blood of Yeshua, shed for our freedom from sin (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22, 1 John 1:7).
These elements anchor our faith in both the Exodus story and the Gospel.
When the Church Took a Different Path
In the early days, Jewish and Gentile believers kept Passover together. But things changed.
By AD 49, tensions began to rise between Jewish communities and the growing body of Jewish believers in Yeshua. That tension led to a split—what historians call the parting of the ways. By around AD 160, the Church began to see itself as a replacement for Judaism. As it distanced itself from Jewish customs, it abandoned Passover and adopted Easter (Pascha) instead.
This shift took firm hold in the 2nd century, and the Church began to redefine itself without the rhythms and richness of its Hebrew roots.
Passover vs. Easter
Passover and Easter share a central figure: Yeshua. Both celebrate His redemptive work—but the approach is very different.
In Messianic Judaism, Passover is full of symbolism that points directly to Messiah. It’s anchored in history, Scripture, and a consistent set of rituals passed down for generations.
Easter, while originally rooted in the resurrection of Yeshua, has evolved. Over time, cultural elements like the Easter Bunny and egg hunts have taken center stage in many churches. Even within Protestant Christianity, Easter looks different from congregation to congregation. Some observe it with reverent services, foot-washing, and communion. Others offer upbeat theatrical productions or community egg hunts.
Historically, the Church once celebrated Easter and Passover on the same day. Eusebius wrote in the 3rd century about early Christians in Asia who continued to observe Passover on the 14th day of the first month, following the tradition handed down to them.
Even the Eucharist—or Lord’s Supper—traces back to the Passover meal. The bread and wine used today in communion were originally the same symbols Yeshua used during His final seder. But over time, their connection to Jewish tradition faded.
Why It Matters
Today, there’s a clear difference between the unity found in the Passover seder and the wide-ranging Easter observances in modern churches. The Church’s departure from Passover has created space for a variety of interpretations, but not always clarity or cohesion.
Messianic Judaism continues to hold tightly to the traditions that Yeshua Himself kept—traditions that tie us to both the Exodus and the cross. In doing so, it offers a powerful reminder that our faith didn’t begin in the Church age, but in the promises and appointed times of Adonai.
Perhaps it’s time for more believers to rediscover what was never meant to be forgotten.
Bibliography
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Didachē." Encyclopedia Britannica, October 18, 2021.
Accessed July 17th, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Didache.
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Paschal controversies." Encyclopedia Britannica,
January 2, 2020. Accessed July 24, 2023.
Cohn-Sherbok, Dan. Messianic Judaism (London; New York: Continuum, 2000)
Wilson, Marvin R. Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith (Grand Rapids,
MI: Eerdmans Publishing, 1990)
New Advent LLC. “Church Fathers: Church History, Book V (Eusebius)”, 2001, accessed July
Gulevich, Tanya. Encyclopedia of Easter, Carnival, and Lent. (Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics Inc,
2001)
Smart Christians Channel. “Mike Todd’s Easter Service”, April 11th, 2023. Youtube video, 7:11,
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