A political prisoner found himself chained to a cell during Passover, victim of a despot ruler attempting to lift his public opinion polls. The incarcerated man, drifting into sleep, likely thought, “this night is not like all other nights.” Indeed, Passover is not like other nights; it is the season of deliverance. For on that night intercessory prayer was offered on his behalf. In a moment I will tell you the dramatic rescue of this man on Passover, which so powerfully parallels Israel’s escape from the bondage of Egypt. But before I do, I must show you why this night is not like other nights.
In the traditional Passover Haggadah, a book of liturgy and prayers which help tell the Passover story, there is an eighth century poem by Rabbi Eleazer Ha-Kalir, “And You Shall Say: The Sacrifice of Passover”.
“The power of thy might Thou didst reveal on Passover;
Above all other festivals didst Thou place the Passover;
To Abraham Thou didst reveal the midnight marvels of the Passover
‘This is the offering of Passover’”.[1]
This epic poem relays the miracles of Passovers long ago, miracles many do not realize occurred on Passover. Jericho was delivered into Israel’s hands during the season of Passover. Gideon was rescued from Midian during Passover, Hezekiah was saved from Sennacherib, and Mordechai and Esther and were delivered from Haman, all during Passover. And in so many of these deliverances, God’s people were praying. In this unique season when we celebrate Passover, Messiah’s death, and His resurrection, we are called to be vigilant – watch and pray, watch and beware, and watch and wait for the Deliverer to come.
I. Watch and Pray
Passover night in Scripture has another name, “Leil Shimurim” (Night of Watching).
“It was a night of watching by the Lord, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; so this same night is a night of watching kept to the Lord by all the people of Israel throughout their generations.” Exodus 12. 42 ESV
Passover, the season of deliverance, is often also season of spiritual warfare. Moses said, this is a “night of watching kept to the Lord throughout their generations.” On the night that Yeshua was arrested, He kept watch in prayer. Three times he implored the disciples to do the same.
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26.41 ESV
For a moment, let us return to our Passover prisoner. In so many ways, his life speaks to ours during this season. He experienced threats of “cancel culture” from both politicians and social influencers. His message was unpopular, yet he became more bold. Finally, he landed in jail with awaiting execution. What was his crime? The proclamation of the power of Yeshua, the risen Messiah.
And so, as Passover night began, his friends, like Queen Esther before them, spent Passover night in watching and praying.
Does the phrase “throughout their generations” include our generation? Do you hear the call in this season watch and prayer? The condemned man’s friends watched in hope that the One who delivered Israel so many times before during the Passover would do so again. As Israel’s bondage was broken from a wicked Pharaoh at midnight, so this evangelist would also be set free from King Herod in “that night”.
“And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.” Acts 12. 3-4 ESV
“Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.” Acts 12.6-7 ESV
Oh that Rabbi Eliezer had included these New Testament miracles in his epic poem. He missed the sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah during Passover. He missed the opportunity to shout, “And You shall say: The Feast of Passover”! And oh that he had included Peter’s midnight deliverance, writing – “This too was the Feast of Passover!”
II. Watch and Beware
“Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matthew 16.6 ESV
Yeshua gave us another warning of watching in Passover. If our prayer would be effective, we must guard against leaven. Leaven is forbidden during Passover, but this is not related to bread. This is teachings that hinder our focus.
This year, Passover and Resurrection Sunday are only a week apart. As the two coincide remember that you are woven into Passover’s story of redemption. When Messiah lifted the cup on that night so long ago, He bid you to join the Feast. When He kept vigil in that ancient “Night of Watching” at Gethsemane, He tasted a bitter Passover cup on our behalf. On the same night Israel was delivered, judgment fell on Egypt. And similarly, on the night Yeshua’s disciples ran for safety, Messiah offered Himself in their place. (John 18.8)
You may be facing a great trial at present. Our second admonition for a Passover prayer is “watch and beware”. Believers around the world are facing threats and persecution for their faith. But be of good courage and remain faithful till the end. The God who delivered Moses will deliver you! The God who parted the Jordan for Joshua at the Passover will make a way for you. The One who honored the blood of the lamb on the Israelite doorposts in Egypt, will spare the life of those who life apply the blood of the Great Passover Lamb to their life. The One who sent the angel to cause shackles to fall from Peter has not diminished will not forget you!
III. Watch and Wait
“But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps…Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25.6-7,13 ESV
Passover night is indeed different from all other nights. It is imbued with Messianic hope. Yeshua spoke a parable that connected watching to the midnight hour. And so, the early followers of Yeshua connected that parable to Passover and the midnight cry to leave Egypt for the land of promise. Jerome, an Early Church father qho lived from in fourth century relayed how the early Jewish followers of Yeshua “kept watch” each Passover night until after midnight praying and fasting for the Parousia, the Second Coming of Yeshua.
“I think this is also why the apostolic tradition continued that on the day of the Passover vigil it is not permitted to dismiss the people before midnight, as they await the coming of Christ.”[2] Jerome, Commentary Matthew 25.6
Watching “throughout your generations”, for followers of Yeshua, meant an expectation in the Passover beyond the Exodus some three-thousand years ago, or even the salvation paid for two thousand years ago at Calvary. Passover is a memorial that Messiah will come again!
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” I Cor. 11.26 ESV
Messiah is coming soon, and our prayer should be, “May He come speedily, and in our days, and may His people be ready!”
Conclusion
What should our Passover prayer be in this spiritual season as we contemplate the death and resurrection of Yeshua? In a Jerusalem prison, Peter, the servant of the Lord, heard the midnight cry, “Arise Peter and leave this place.” It is significant that he had fallen asleep. While he slept, others “watched and prayed”, on the very night called in Scripture “a night of watching”. While he slept, the believers set themselves to “watch and beware” from the leaven of distraction. And while he slept, the believers were watching and waiting for the Deliverer to set the captive free. Yeshua’s words of the midnight cry harkened these early believers expectation to Passover night. Yeshua’s memorial Passover meal, oriented them to a coming day.
“And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Luke 22.15-16 ESV
Though we do not know the day or hour, Passover calls us to intercession and expectation. Peter was awakened by one angel in the middle of a Passover night. One day the voice of the Archangel will shout and trump of God will sound, and multitudes who sleep will be awake from the dust of the earth. My hope and prayer in this sacred season is, “Even so come Lord, Yeshua” – maranatha!”
מרן אתא
[1] Rabbi Morris Silverman, The Passover Haggadah, “You shall say: This is the offering of Passover” Pg. 60-61. 1975.
[2] Jerome and Thomas P. Scheck, St. Jerome: Commentary on Matthew (Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 2008), 283.
