Dear Friends,

 

Passover starts tonight! Chag Pesach Sameach! Happy Passover!

 

The joyous holiday of Passover has been observed by Jews ever since it  was instituted by Moses and Aaron in Exodus 12. It is celebrated in  remembrance of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.

 

Passover is also meaningful for Christians who understand its relationship to Jesus and the Christian faith. Luke  2:41-42 tells us that Jesus' parents "went to Jerusalem every year at  the Feast of the Passover. And when he [Jesus] was twelve years old,  they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast."

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During the last week of his life on earth, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the holiday. The meal he shared with his disciples the night before he  was arrested - the one Christians refer to as the Last Supper - was  actually a Passover Seder. In Luke 22:15, Jesus said to them, “I have  earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer."

 

The traditional  Seder liturgy includes the question, "Why is this night different from  all other nights?" In response, the ancient story of deliverance is  retold every year.

 

Indeed, the  night of deliverance from Egypt is different from all other nights. But so too, this year's observance of Passover is like no other for Israel  and Jewish people everywhere. One reason for this is the fact that just days ago, Israel defeated an unprecedented attack intended to inflict death and destruction throughout the land.

 

In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 14th, Iran fired over 300  missiles and drones at the Jewish State. Of the 170 UAV's and 30 cruise missiles launched, not one of them crossed into Israeli territory  because they were destroyed before they got there. A few of Iran's 120  ballistic missiles made it into Israel, but they caused only minimal damage. By all assessments, including those made by scientists, the 99%  interception rate was miraculous.

 

Therefore, as the holiday of freedom is observed this week, Jews and  Christians can rejoice together that Iran's attempt to harm people and  destroy strategic targets was so thoroughly defeated.

 

However, even as we celebrate the failure of Iran's attack and  commemorate deliverance from bondage in Egypt, we are painfully aware  that there are still at least 130 hostages held by terrorists in Gaza.  Some of them are confirmed dead, but the fate of most is unknown.

 

Therefore, Israel must continue to do what it needs to do to bring  freedom to those hostages, finish destroying Hamas' ability to ever  again do what it did on October 7th and prevent Iran from being able to  launch any more assaults. And Christians and Jews must stand together  like never before in support of Israel's right to defend its people!

 

Much of the world, including many in the church, seem to have forgotten  what happened on October 7th, as well as the existence of hostages still  held in horrific circumstances. But we must not forget! During this  week's celebration of freedom, we must remember those languishing in captivity, stand together as one, and speak out to advocate for their  immediate release!

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Chag Pesach Sameach! Happy Passover!

 

Am Yisrael Chai! The people of Israel live!