Passover began Wednesday night. Easter is coming on Sunday. This is traditionally a time for people to gather together and celebrate. That is not the case this year as we are told to stay home and practice “social distancing” to avoid spreading COVID-19.
While this is disappointing, the marvels of modern technology allow us to bridge the gap. My brother and I hosted a virtual Seder to celebrate Passover with a few others joining us online. It’s a time to remember what God has done in the past with the hope of what he will do in the future. It recalls the Lord saving his people out of Egypt. Years later, Jesus celebrated it with his disciples, adding new meaning by connecting it to his death and resurrection. Both stories are about how God redeems his people.
I can’t help but see a few similarities with the first Passover. Families huddled inside while death stalked the streets of Egypt. What words were exchanged that night? Fear? Excitement? Worry? “Stay inside!” was the order, with blood caked on their doorposts.
Or fast forward over a thousand years as Jesus’ disciples celebrated those events before seeing Jesus carried off to be crucified. How did they feel? They feared they might be next! “Stay inside!” they exclaimed to one another with the door locked tight.
The Lord inflicted ten plagues on Egypt in order to make his message clear: “Let my people go!” The battle wasn’t ultimately with the people or with Pharaoh – it was with their gods.”On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord.” (Exodus 12:12) The Lord demonstrated by those plagues who was really in charge.
It is during times like this when we are reminded that we are not in control. Our “gods” cannot save us. Only the Lord Almighty can save. My prayer is that the world emerges from this crisis better than before. Seek the Lord, the true redeemer.
