Passover is a critical time. The Jewish world remembers the great redemption of the Exodus, while Christians consider Calvary and the redemption purchased by Jesus the Messiah. Our perfect Passover lamb. But this Passover we want to urge Christians everywhere to be conscious of the Jewish people at this time in particular. Why?

Passover is the perfect time to pray

Passover is something celebrated by pretty much every Jewish household, much like Christmas in the West, whether you believe the story or not. The story of the Exodus is read as the family gathers to remember who we are and where we've come from. Just as many (most) who celebrate Christmas do not believe that Jesus came to the earth from heaven—far less via virgin birth—so many who celebrate Passover struggle to believe that the Israelites miraculously escaped Egypt—certainly not via a split sea.

Still, the themes of redemption, a people chosen by God, the idea of the sacrificial lamb are all in the forefront of peoples' minds. It's a great time to pray for the Jewish people!

Pray for key questions to arise:

• Did our people really escape from Egypt – what is our true story as the people of Israel?
• Were there miracles in our history, and was God actually involved?
• What or who is God? What is he really like?
• What does it mean to be Jewish?
• What about all the other nations? How are they supposed to relate to God?
• What will happen when Messiah comes, the Great Redemption?

Have you ever thought?

If you love the Bible, thank the Jewish people! It was they who were tasked with writing down and carefully handing down the precious words of God to the world. As Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah told the Samaritan woman, “Salvation comes from the Jews” (John 4:22). It was through the specially-called people of Israel that the story of redemption came to the whole earth. It was the people through whom God chose to work, to deliver His oracles, His Messiah, and His salvation to all nations. All those who know they are right with God and adopted into His family, thanks to the Messiah's perfect sacrifice on our behalf, have these privileges as a child of God thanks to the safe delivery of the Messiah into the world through the people of Israel.

And now, as Romans 11 says, those who have experienced God's grace can be vessels in return to the Jewish people who are still in rebellion. Through your prayers, you can be a vessel of His mercy.

Concerning the Good News, they are hostile for your sake; but concerning chosenness, they are loved on account of the fathers—for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you once were disobedient to God but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, in like manner these also have now been disobedient with the result that, because of the mercy shown to you, they also may receive mercy. (Romans 11:28-31)

Gentiles have the opportunity to take a different stance to the Pharisaical “older brother” in the story of the Prodigal Son, and to enthusiastically wait with the merciful Father, looking out to the horizon in eager anticipation.

It's time to pray for that change of heart, that revelation, and the decision to come back home.

HELP US REACH THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL THIS PASSOVER!