The Afikomen

The Afikomen As the generations passed from the first exodus Passover, the Jews continued to celebrate as they had been told. However, some traditions were added and changed a bit. Of particular beauty to us, as believers is the Afikomen. Author and scholar Marv Rosenthal has a very interesting personal history, but it's important to note his Jewish heritage and lifelong study. He was raised in a very traditional Jewish home, but converted to Christianity as an adult. He then spent many years studying and writing about the New Testament in context of Jewish beliefs and traditions. In his discussion of the Afikomen, we are introduced in a small unassuming paragraph which simply states that during the preparation for the Passover meal, 3 matzahs are placed in a specially embroidered bag with 3 pockets called the matzah tash. As a reminder, the matzah is unleavened bread. When it is prepared, no yeast is added because it represents sin, and consequently stays flat. In order for it not to bubble in the baking process, it is PIERCED! To restate that, there are 3 unleavened matzahs in a special bag on the table at the beginning of the seder. Early in the meal, something amazing happens. Listen carefully to the description Mr. Rosenthal provides: “Next, the leader removes the middle matzah from the linen bag to break it in half. Half is replaced, and half is carefully wrapped in a linen napkin and hidden away in the house while the children cover their eyes. It reappears later in the service to illustrate a very important truth.” (page 56) “After the meal, the children are sent out to find the broken half-matzah that was wrapped and hidden away. It is known as the Afikomen. The children search high and low with great excitement for they know that the one who finds it will receive a reward. From a remote corner of the house, shouts of delight announce that the desired treasure has been discovered. Rabbinic law requires that a small piece of the Afikomen be broken off and eaten by everyone present at the service as a reminder of the Passover Lamb.” The afikomen, the pierced, unleavened bread is broken (death), wrapped in linen and hidden away (burial), and brought back (resurrection). Ok, now hold on to your socks. We are reminded of the Lord’s words that night, “He broke the bread, gave it to His disciples and said, ‘Take and eat, this is my body.’” (Mat 26:26) He also said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6:53). In 70 AD, the Roman armies destroyed the temple in Jerusalem, thereby ending the sacrificial system. According to Mr. Rosenthal, “Rabbinic tradition holds that the afikomen now represents the lamb, and therefore everyone must eat of it.”!!! No really, there’s MORE! When the children find the afikomen, they all proclaim the word “Afikomen!” However, it is the only non-Hebrew word in the Seder. It is Greek. It means – “I CAME.” Is that not the most amazing thing EVER?! It’s right there in the Passover, “I came!” How much plainer can He make it? He IS the afikomen! GLORY to God!