last night I participated in a Passover Seder. if you have done the same, you know of the richness this event holds for believers in Yeshua the Messiah. the table holds numerous elements that remind us of the Exodus - from mortar and slavery to Moses and Sinai. the seder (which simply means "order") walks through the narrative, focusing on God’s goodness in the midst of the bitterness of life. ultimately, it holds up hope.

one of the most striking parts of the evening was when Bethany, Todd Bolen’s daughter, got up from her table, walked to the back door, opened it and peered out. she was looking for Elijah, who is to return to hail the coming of the Messiah. the seder even calls for setting a place for Elijah at the table. Bethany’s innocently expectant face cut to the quick of my soul. "this is how we wait for Jesus’ return," I marveled. obviously, Elijah has returned (Matt 11:14) and prepared a way for the Messiah. but, we who believe do wait for the promised return of the Messiah. we wait, not with demand or disappointment, but with diligent watchfulness.

now I’ve been thinking, "what would it look like for evangelicalism to embrace this form of worship?" not specifically the Passover Seder - although that would be superb - but the idea that using all five senses enhances the experience. we have Communion and Baptism, but if you go to church on a Sunday void of these two sacraments, you might use only one of five. hearing. and that might not even be actual listening.

the seder used all five - hearing, touching, smelling, tasting, and seeing. in what ways can we reawaken the joy of interaction in our own worship services?