Passover Preparation Brings Joy - Richard Maisenbacher

Passover Preparation Brings Joy - Richard Maisenbacher

I am asked periodically why I celebrate Passover. First, it is one of the three feasts our Lord requests His people to observe. Secondly, by requiring the feasts, the Lord forges a connection, reminding His people of their liberation from Egypt and their transition from bondage to freedom. With this yearly feast, we pause and remember what God has done, delivering us from our personal Egypt.

Significance of Passover Preparation

Passover begins on Saturday, April 1, 2026. March 3rd marks the start of the 30-day recommended preparation period for Passover, one of the three required Feasts of the Lord as outlined in Leviticus chapter 23. This period is a special opportunity for cleansing in anticipation of a joyful celebration.

Meaning of Passover “Pesach”

The Hebrew word for Passover is Pesach, which means “to spring, jump, or pass over something.” This term reflects God’s deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt, an act that brought the nation freedom. Passover represents redemption and, prophetically, points to God’s plan for world redemption through Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb. This is a profound reason for celebration!

Joy in Observing the Feast

As Ezra 6:22 records: “And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy.” Despite the joy described in Scripture, it is uncommon to find many believers who fully participate in the Lord’s Feasts or who are enthusiastic about removing leaven or yeast—symbolic of sin and unhealthy habits—from their lives. Many people see this process as difficult or painful, especially when it involves letting go of enjoyable or addictive behaviors or confronting mental strongholds that require inner healing.

The Meaning of Cleansing

As Passover draws near, the removal of leaven from the home becomes a central focus. In biblical tradition, leaven symbolizes sin, corruption, and defilement. Cleansing, therefore, is more than a physical act; it is a call to examine and purify the heart in partnership with God’s Spirit.

Challenges in this Present Era

We live in a complex era, shaped by conflicting opinions and decisions across the seven “mountains” of society: religion, family, government, business, media/communications, arts/entertainment, and education. Each sphere is marked by disagreements and controversy, making it increasingly challenging to focus and maintain God’s peace.

Newness Through Christ - Our Passover Lamb

In 1 Corinthians 5:7, Paul writes: “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, just as you really are unleavened. For Christ the Passover Lamb has been sacrificed.” Through Jesus’s sacrifice, believers are made new, and his death and resurrection have removed the leaven from our lives. Yet there remains a daily, practical process of cleansing ourselves from internal and external influences. This is a time to purify our hearts and choose to separate from anything unclean.

Embracing the Season of Preparation

As we prepare for Passover, from April 1 through April 9, we are invited to cleanse our “house,” remove the leaven, and celebrate while experiencing God’s presence, joy, and blessings. This is a time to seek Him in prayer, delight in His Word, receive His love, and rejoice in the freedom that our Passover Lamb has provided!

In His Covenant Love and Happy Pesach!

Richard Maisenbacher
Covenant Outreach Ministries, Inc.
Contact: www.info@thecovenantcenter.com

30 Days of Passover Preparation with Cleansing and Joy - Richard Maisenbacher

Richard Maisenbacher

30 Days of Passover Preparation with Cleansing and Joy

Passover begins on Saturday, April 12, 2025. However, March 13th is the official 30 day recommended preparation time for Passover, which is one of three required Feasts of the Lord found in Leviticus chapter 23. This is a wonderful time of cleansing in preparation for a celebration of joy!

The Hebrew word for Passover is “Pesach” meaning “to spring, jump or pass over something.” This refers to God’s deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt, which brought freedom. Passover not only typifies redemption, but prophetically it was God’s plan for world redemption through Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb. What a great reason to celebrate!

 “And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy,” Ezra 6:22. I have not personally found many believers who celebrate the Lord’s Feasts. It is rare to find anyone excited about getting rid of the leaven or yeast in their lives. They believe it may be painful or too hard to give up enjoyable and addicting habits. It may be even worse for some to lay down their mental strongholds so they can receive inner healing.

 Passover cannot start until all leaven (sin, corruption, and defilement) is removed. Cleansing the home is a part of the preparation. However, cleansing the home is just the beginning. Believers who celebrate Passover, know that cleansing of our home includes the cleansing of our heart in cooperation with the Spirit of God.

 What an interesting era we are in right now with all the diverse opinions and decisions brought about by a presidential change. It seems each of the 7 mountains (religion, family, government, business, media/communications, arts/entertainment, and education) have been stirred up with disagreements and controversy. What a challenging time, as we try to focus and maintain His peace.

 1 Corinthians 5:7 Paul states: “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, just as you really are unleavened. For Christ the Passover Lamb has been sacrificed.” Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we have been made new. His death and resurrection have removed the leaven in our life. In a practical way, we daily deal with leaven that must be cleansed from within and from the influence of the world. It is a time of purifying our heart and a time to decide to separate ourselves from anything unclean.

 In preparation for this Passover, beginning April 12th through April 20th, we can cleanse our “house,” get rid of the leaven, and celebrate as we experience His presence, joy, and blessings! Let’s take advantage of this time with Him in prayer, enjoying His Word, receiving His love, and rejoicing because of the freedom our Passover Lamb has brought to us!

In His Covenant Love,

Richard Maisenbacher
The Covenant Center
Covenant Outreach Ministries, Inc.
Contact: info@thecovenantcenter.com

Passover Preparation: Richard Maisenbacher

Richard Maisenbacher

Leviticus 23 includes Passover (Pesach) and Unleavened Bread, as well as First Fruits as part of the Lord’s Feasts which we are encouraged to celebrate. The Hebrew word for Passover is “Pesach” meaning “to spring, jump or pass over something.” This refers to God’s deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt, which brought freedom. Passover not only typifies redemption, but prophetically it was God’s plan for world redemption by Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb. What a great reason to celebrate!

“And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy,” Ezra 6:22. I have not personally found many Believers who celebrate the Lord’s Feasts or become excited getting rid of the leaven or yeast in their lives. They believe it may be painful or too hard to give up enjoyable/addicting habits. It may be even worse for some to lay down their mental strongholds so they can receive inner healing.

But Passover cannot start until all leaven is removed. Cleansing the home was part of the preparation. However, cleansing of the home is just the beginning. Believers know that cleansing of the home includes the cleansing of our heart in cooperation with the Spirit of God.

In 1st Corinthians 5:7 Paul states: Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, just as you really are unleavened. For Christ the Passover Lamb has been sacrificed.” Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we are already new. His death and resurrection has removed the leaven in our life. However, in a practical way, there is still leaven that we must cleanse inside and out from the influence of the world. It is a time of purifying our heart and a time to make a choice to separate our self from anything unclean.

In preparation for this Passover, beginning April 5th through April 13th, we can cleanse our “house,” get rid of the leaven, and celebrate as we experience His presence, joy and blessings!  Let’s take advantage of this time with Him in prayer, enjoying His Word, and rejoicing because of the freedom our Passover Lamb has brought us!

If you are near Lakeland, Florida on Wednesday, April 5th please feel free to join us. We will be celebrating this Feast with a Passover Seder at 7:00p.m. at the Covenant Center. Please call the office at 863-802-5171 to sign up.

In His Covenant Love,

Passover Preparation - Richard Maisenbacher

Leviticus 23 includes Passover and Unleavened Bread, as well as Firstfruits as part of the Lord’s Feasts which we are encouraged to celebrate. The Hebrew word for Passover is “Pesach” meaning “to spring, jump or pass over something.” This refers to God’s deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt, which brought freedom. Passover not only typifies redemption, but prophetically it was God’s plan for world redemption by Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb. What a great reason to celebrate!

“And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy,” Ezra 6:22. I have not personally found many Believers who celebrate the Lord’s Feasts or become excited getting rid of the leaven or yeast in their lives. They believe it may be painful or too hard to give up enjoyable/addicting habits. It may be even worse for some to lay down their mental strongholds so they can receive inner healing.

But Passover cannot start until all leaven is removed. Cleansing the home was part of the preparation. However, cleansing of the home is just the beginning. Believers know that cleansing of the home includes the cleansing of our heart in cooperation with the Spirit of God.

In 1st Corinthians 5:7 Paul states: Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, just as you really are unleavened. For Christ the Passover Lamb has been sacrificed.” Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we are already new. His death and resurrection have removed the leaven in our life. However, in a practical way, there is still leaven that we must cleanse inside and out from the influence of the world. It is a time of purifying our heart and a time to make a choice to separate our self from anything unclean.

In preparation for this Passover, beginning April 15th through April 23rd, we can cleanse our “house,” get rid of the leaven, and celebrate as we experience His presence, joy and blessings!  Let’s take advantage of this time with Him in prayer, intimate love, enjoying His Word, and rejoicing because of the freedom our Passover Lamb has brought us!

If you are near Lakeland, Florida on Friday, April 15th please feel free to join us. We will be celebrating this Feast with a Passover Seder at 7:00p.m. at the Covenant Center.

In His Covenant Love,

Passover - Preparation for Cleansing and Joy - Richard Maisenbacher

Passover is about a month away and we are still social distancing, wearing masks, and possibly by now dealing with a little discouragement. This is actually a wonderful time to begin the cleansing process in preparation for a celebration of joy!

Leviticus 23 includes Passover and Unleavened Bread, as well as First Fruits as part of the Lord’s Feasts which we are encouraged to celebrate. The Hebrew word for Passover is “Pesach” meaning “to spring, jump or pass over something.” This refers to God’s deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt, which brought freedom. Passover not only typifies redemption, but prophetically it was God’s plan for world redemption by Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb. What a great reason to celebrate!

“And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy,” Ezra 6:22. I have not personally found many Believers who celebrate the Lord’s Feasts, or become excited getting rid of the leaven or yeast in their lives. They believe it may be painful or too hard to give up enjoyable or addicting habits. It may be even more difficult for some to lay down their mental strongholds so they can receive inner healing.

However, Passover cannot start until all leaven is removed. Cleansing the home is the initial step of preparation. Believers know that cleansing the home includes the cleansing of our heart in cooperation with the Spirit of God.

In 1st Corinthians 5:7 Paul states: “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, just as you really are unleavened. For Christ the Passover Lamb has been sacrificed.” Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we are already new. His death and resurrection has removed the leaven in our life. However, in a practical way, there is still leaven that we must cleanse inside and out from the influence of the world. It is a time of purifying our heart and a time to make a decision to separate our self from anything unclean.

In preparation for this Passover, March 27th through April 4th, we can begin to cleanse our “house,” get rid of the leaven, and celebrate as we experience His presence, joy and blessings!  Let’s take advantage of this time with Him in prayer, enjoying His Word, and rejoicing because of the freedom our Passover Lamb has brought us!

In His Covenant Love,