Personalizing the Passover: What About Unbaptized Young People?

Since the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. teaches that observing the Passover is for those baptized, does this mean that the Passover is irrelevant for young people?

Having grown up in a family that keeps the Sabbath and God's Holy Days, I feel comfortable at services and understand the symbolism tied to each special day. Although I know now about the relevance and deep significance of the Passover ceremony, as an unbaptized child and teen, I didn't. I always stayed home with my sister while my parents left for the evening service. Perhaps you too recall being babysat or taken over to someone's house, unclear about exactly what happens during the spiritual recommitment our parents were experiencing.

During our preteen and teenage years we may not fully understand the powerful meaning of Passover, or even know much about what takes place at the service. After talking to many teens and friends across the country, I realize how disconnected some unbaptized young people can feel about Passover. Some regard it as "just another day," and take no notice of it at all. However, God has a plan and purpose for us young people, too, and it is important for us to understand the significance of the Passover.

Passover sets the tone

To fully understand God's miraculous plan of salvation for humankind, we must understand all the festivals, even those we may not actively observe yet. As the first of God's annual festivals, Passover sets the tone for all the annual Holy Days. The Passover's meaning transcends age barriers by displaying Jesus' merciful sacrifice to remove our penalty for sinning, allowing us to draw closer to Him (Romans 3:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
See All...; 1 Corinthians 5:7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
See All...; 1 Peter 1:18-20 [18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
[19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
[20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

See All...).

While we continue to learn and grow as young people, there are multiple ways we can prepare for Passover along with our families. Many ministers give excellent sermons on how to spiritually prepare for the Passover. They highlight key issues that everyone can and should be focusing on: Praying to God for help in searching our hearts, identifying and working on our sins and coming to Him with a repentant attitude and spirit. We all can benefit from analyzing our thoughts and actions in order to discover how we can improve and become better disciples of Christ, learning, growing and setting positive examples for younger siblings and brethren in the process.

It also helps to study our Bibles in order to increase our knowledge and understanding. Applicable subjects include the establishment of the Passover in the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. (Exodus 12), the command to observe it (Leviticus 23:5In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's passover.
See All...), Christ's breaking bread and drinking wine at this observance (Luke 22:7-23 [7] Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
[8] And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
[9] And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
[10] And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
[11] And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
[12] And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
[13] And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
[14] And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
[15] And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
[16] For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
[17] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
[18] For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
[19] And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
[20] Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
[21] But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
[22] And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
[23] And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

See All...; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 [23] For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
[24] And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
[25] After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
[26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

See All...), Christ as the Passover Lamb on the cross (Luke 23) and the implications of Jesus' sacrifice to our lives.

If you have parents who observe the Passover, asking them to share their personal experiences will help you form a clearer picture of what occurs on this evening, making it come alive in your mind. When you grow older and are thinking about baptism, consider asking your pastor if you can attend the actual service and observe what occurs (without partaking in the Passover symbols) in order to understand it more deeply. (We understand that partaking of the Passover symbols of bread and wine are for baptized adults. For more information, read the free booklet, God's Holy Day Plan: the Promise of Hope for All Mankind .)

Christ suffered for us and understands us

It is important to remember that Jesus sacrificed His life for everyone; this gift of life to all becomes even more powerful when we realize that He suffered as a human as we do daily. He saw, felt and lived our pain. Because He understands us, we are able to form a stronger relationship and build a deeper connection with our Savior.

Jesus instructed His disciples to allow little children to come to Him saying, "of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
See All... -14). While we are growing up we should seek to learn about all the ways we presently can be involved in inheriting this promise. As children of God and part of His family (1 John 3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
See All...), the Passover shows us important and essential truths through the annual reminder of His love for us held in His plan of hope for all of mankind. VT