With the upcoming holiday, Passover, has been on my mind all weekend.
First, for those who may not know, allow me to explain Passover as defined through an online dictionary.
Passover is an ancient feast, one that spans some thirty-five centuries of human existence. This holiday forms the primary background for understanding the events of the Upper Room, the symbolism of the Lord’s Table (Communion), and the meaning of the Messiah’s (Jesus) death.
Passover holds great distinction among the religious feasts of the world. Passover is the oldest continually observed feast in existence today, celebrated for some 3,500 years. Even today, more Jewish people keep Passover than any other high holy day. It is a strong, cohesive force within the fabric of Jewish community and culture.
Passover is the first of the seven annual festivals celebrated by the Jewish people and is considered to be Israel’s foundational feast upon which the other six feasts that follow simply build upon. Passover, a feast which commences Israel’s religious year, is often referred to as the Feast of Unleavened Bread because only unleavened bread was eaten during the seven days immediately following Passover.
The Passover occurred in the days of Moses when the children of Israel were in captivity. It was there, at that time, that a lamb was sacrificed, and the blood was applied to each doorpost and lintel. When done in faith and in obedience to God’s command, that home was “passed over” by the death angel and the firstborn was spared. All subsequent observances over the centuries were memorials of that one and only first Passover.
Finally, Jesus (Yeshua) was crucified during the Passover event. He and His disciples ate a Passover meal together on the eve of His death.
During this meal Jesus said, “This is my body,” and “this cup is the new testament in my blood” (Luke 22:7, 19-20). All of those lambs sacrificed down in Egypt (one per household) pointed to the one true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Writing to the Corinthians, the apostle Peter noted for all of time, “Christ, our Passover (Lamb), is sacrificed for us” (I Corinthians 5:7).
While most of us know the story of Passover, I don’t know that many of us give it much thought or observe this season of feasting. However, Jesus celebrated these feasts.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 Paul says; Therefore, purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed, Christ our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
It is after the death of Christ that Paul is urging us to keep the feast of the Lord. Therefore, I believe it is relevant today. Not as a law, but as a way of honoring God and His appointed days.
Frankly, I think applying the blood of Jesus to our doorposts is just as relevant today as it was the first Passover. I believe partaking of the body and blood of Jesus is relevant this day as well. Just as relevant as it was in the first Passover.
It was by faith that the children of Israel sacrificed a lamb, placed blood over the doorposts and ate of that lamb. It is by faith this day that we place the precious blood of Jesus over our doorposts and it is by faith that we partake of the Lords Suppers, declaring His death, which was and is OUR Passover.
Considering the world we are living in, with all the evil that is evident, I am thankful that I have the blood of Jesus Christ. I am thankful that HE remains my Passover. I am honored to observe this season in God.
Today, I want you to begin to seek God about how He would have you celebrate and observe this Passover. As I said, there is something very different about this Passover. Something very different indeed.
Prepare your heart to receive all God has for you this Passover weekend. Prepare your heart to honor God. Prepare your heart to honor our Passover lamb…which is Jesus Christ.
“Recognize the plot of the enemy and the lies and stand in the face of them, declaring truth.” – K Potter
