Passover's Rich Tradition

From father to son to son to son to son for over 3,500 years that's one of the miracles of Passover. It's a wonder! From generation to generation the story has been told over and over again in a line that has never been broken. Fathers (and Mothers and brothers and sisters) share with family members and with the next generation(s) so the story continues to be shared and its truths passed on. (Exodus 12:24-27)

I see books which sound a warning about how in today's world 75 percent of young adults (ages 18-24) you have fallen away from their faith (or practice of their faith). This is a sad state of affairs when I compare this reality to the tradition of sharing Passover together. As I read these books I realize we've missed something.

We're missing out on inspiring the next generation in their faith.  We're missing out on telling the story and passing on the faith to those who need it most. (Deut. 4:9)

What is it that makes a difference with young adults and causes the story to pass from one generation to the next? I think sometimes we get to hung up in our own traditions and in the law.  We focus on doing this in exactly the format it was shared by our parents, and in doing so we forget to make sure this is relevant and enjoyable by all. Possibly it is because we did not enjoy this celebration, so we cut it short thinking it will be boring to those hearing us (which is a self-fulfilling prophecy!).  Because it is our parent’s story, we fail to get into the story ourselves.

How can we affect and infect the next generation? We need to pass on our love and passion for God.  In order to do this love and passion have to live in our hearts.  This causes us to have an irresistible passion to share our love for God all the time (Deut. 6:5-9).  This causes us to desire to make sure the next generation understands and adopts the same passion we have.  We can not mess up.  The faith of the next generation is too important!

There is a verse which is shared each year in the Passover Seder, "On that day tell your son, `I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’" (Exodus 13:8).  This year make sure the next generation knows we have personally left Egypt ... and we are bringing them out also.  Moses would be pleased! 

Culture and Heritage

This week has been interesting. God has placed us in a fascinating world full of people – each with their own culture.

Chelsea was given an assignment relating to racism. As we talked we thought about issues of racism, for we belong to a persecuted people group. One of my grandfathers changed his name – possibly to blend into his new country. Another grandfather was refused lodging in North Carolina because he was Jewish.

My grandparents came to America in the late 19th century and early 20th century in the hopes of a better life. They were poor and persecuted in their home countries, (My great grandfather Tbatznik punched a Cossack during a pogrom, which is why he had to leave Russia – traveling through Romania, Italy and France before immigrating to the United States) and came to America, the land of opportunity.

We talked about a friend of Chelsea’s who immigrated from Mexico. After eight failed attempts, she finally successfully entered the United States on her ninth crossing of the Rio Grande. Her family has made a life for themselves in the United States and successfully become productive members of their community.

Sarah is working on our new Hagaddah, which shares the Jewish custom of Passover so gentile Christians can cross the culture barrier and understand the world in which Jesus lived. We want Christians to understand the story of the Exodus which is central in our faith. Hopefully it will be publish “A Christian Passover in the Jewish Tradition” next week.

Tonight during a scout meeting aimed at earning the God and Country badge we looked at heritage. Among the group were people born in North Carolina, Mississippi, Florida and Kazakhstan. We shared from Baptist, Catholic, Jewish and Orthodox backgrounds. Our experiences were diverse. But we had one thing in common – Christ.

Christ helps us overcome differences, appreciate culture, and work together for a higher goal … to reach our world with the Gospel. The name Jesus means “Salvation” (one of the answers in tonight’s meeting). We are to reach all people with the message of Salvation.

I work with all ages of adults from college to Senior Adults. One of the cultural things that comes up from time to time is music. Each group enjoys music from their generation and culture. We are to rally around the name of Christ – and enjoy the variety God gives us in life.

Jesus said this, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”