Each Passover, Jewish people around the world recite the words of the Haggadah¹ together: “Let all who are hungry come and eat.”  This is not just an invitation to a meal; it’s an offer of warmth, connection, and the opportunity to hear the powerful story of God’s heart for the oppressed. It’s a call to open our hearts and homes to those who may have nowhere else to go. The Passover meal brings people together, but it’s the story we share—the story of God’s redemption—that nourishes the soul.

Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, God emphasizes compassion for strangers and those who are oppressed. Again and again (more than 25 times!), the Torah calls us to love or treat outsiders with kindness because we were also outsiders.

“You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 23:9).

God is teaching us empathy, inviting us to recall our own suffering, so that we might have compassion for others and help them trust God for redemption. That is why we are to invite outsiders into our homes for the Passover meal, even though it can be messy and unpredictable.

I remember how my parents took this to heart when I was a kid, inviting two rather rough-around-the-edges individuals to our Seder meal. By the end of the night, my father had to break up a fistfight! But even in the chaos, there was something sacred in following God’s call to welcome others.

Yeshua (Jesus) perfectly modeled God’s radical love for sinners and social outcasts. He spent time with tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers, and people with physical and mental disabilities. He also demonstrated God’s generous heart by encouraging people to invite dinner guests who were unable to repay the favor (Luke 14:13–14).

Yeshua was and is ready to redeem anyone who trusts in Him—Jews and Gentiles alike.

This becomes all the more meaningful as we recall Yeshua’s vivid Passover announcement. When He describes the bread and the cup as His body and blood given for the remission of sin, He is both expanding and fulfilling God’s redemption narrative. It goes far beyond bringing the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt. Yeshua was and is ready to redeem anyone who trusts in Him—Jews and Gentiles alike—from the power of sin and death.

We can never repay Jesus for redeeming us or for the feast He will one day share with us. But we have a story to tell. And God wants us to invite others to come and find their place in His redemption story. As we share God’s heart for those who so desperately need Him, we want to follow Yeshua’s example as we care about their physical as well as spiritual needs. What does that look like?

Jewish people are particularly touched by tangible support from local Christians.

Thanks to our partners, we’ve been able to reach Jewish people in need through all sorts of collaborations, including Samaritan’s Purse, chaplaincy work in Ukraine, and Israeli volunteers to help homeless people. I want you to know that Jewish people are particularly touched by tangible support from local Christians, especially as antisemitism continues to rise.

For example, last December, Teddy, one of our missionaries in Toronto, heard that a local synagogue was planning a Hanukkah dinner. Teddy invited seven local pastors to show solidarity with the Jewish community by asking their churches to help sponsor the event. As a result, they raised thousands of dollars to cover all kinds of expenses for the event.

That evening, the atmosphere was filled with warmth and joy. Children were entertained by a magician, laughter filled the room, and the menorah’s glow set the tone for the celebration. When the emcee publicly thanked the participating churches for their contributions, attendees were deeply moved. Teddy said, “Many thanked us in tears, sharing how this act of kindness made them feel seen and valued during a difficult season.” God uses our small acts of love to break barriers and shine His light. Holidays can provide special opportunities to do this.

So, as Passover approaches (beginning sundown, April 12), let’s remember our calling and invite others into our lives as we share the love and hope of Yeshua. Please pray for our teams around the world as they invite Jewish friends and neighbors to Passover celebrations. And if you live near a church that is hosting one of our missionaries for a Passover event, please consider going, and even invite a Jewish friend to join you.

Together, we can share the hope of Yeshua with more Jewish people than ever before.

 

1. Written order of service for the Passover celebration.