Be Blessed by Receiving Manifold Measures of Grace by Relating with God through the Lord's Passover

Justification

Finding Significance by Relating with God through the Lord’s Passover

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

Bondage comes in many forms. Some things keep us in constraint by restraining our freedom externally. The most subtle forms of bondage, however, are the things that bind and blind us internally; like bad attitudes, unforgiveness, pride and lust for things. The Bible calls these things sin. We try to justify or redeem ourselves—stand in self-righteousness—but that doesn't work with a holy God who created us. God used the story of the deliverance from the bondage the children of Israel experienced in Egypt to reveal the greatness of His love and serve as a visual aid of His greater plan of redemption.

Passover was originally inaugurated to mark and remember Israel’s deliverance from the bondage of Egypt. God heard the cries of the people, and determined that it was time to do a creative, redemptive act. In reality, He revealed a new way of bringing people into relationship with Him. Anybody seeking redemption, restoration and a relationship with God can benefit from understanding the greater significance of what Passover represents!

And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. Therefore say to the children of Israel: 'I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.   (Exodus 6:5-7 NKJV)

A lamb without blemish was sacrificed, and its blood was washed over the doorposts of the home, marking the house “off limits” for the angel of death that struck the first-born of Egypt. 

RELEVANCE

In a similar fashion, the LORD led a sinless life, and was crucified the same day the Passover was celebrated.  He served as our permanent substitute for the lamb, justifying our standing before God and redeeming our life from the bondage of iniquity—our sinful tendencies.

The LORD revealed truth and gave meaning to this sacrifice—His sacrifice. He became the way, the truth and the life! In Him, you have new life! Regardless of your past, God sees you as a new creature. He has accepted you, loves you, values you and wants to give you a new sense of self-worth and purpose. He wants to do a new thing in you! Accepting and receiving the fullness of the LORD’s love and justification for your righteousness, and gaining enlightenment of a new standing and personal relationship with God opens the way to discovering the fullness of your significance in life.

REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE

The LORD taught us to pray, “May your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 JNT) 

In what areas do you need to see God’s redemption, or deliverance from a particular type of bondage?

This could be anything; an addiction, bad habit, besetting sin, form of oppression, state of mind, bad situation, etc. Take your case to God in prayer.  Let God’s Holy Spirit lead you in His Word. Let it work in your heart.  Receive the saving and sanctifying grace of the LORD’s deliverance in faith.  Continue to talk to God about the issue.

As He helps you through, He will bring you to a level of peace and understanding.  The LORD is your deliverer!  The Holy Spirit is your teacher and source of real empowerment and life of liberty.

One final note: as it relates to eternal life, are you sure that you would be justified before God as righteous, and be eternally at peace with God in heaven?

I encourage you to read John 3:16-21 and Romans 10:6-10.  Then read and meditate on John 14-16; and receive the prayer the LORD prayed for you in John 17.

REFERENCES

Psalm 18; Exodus 12; Leviticus 23:1-5; Matthew 26:17-25;

Sacrifice

Discovering God’s Purposes by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Feast of Passover

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

Sacrifice is the beginning of spiritual growth. It’s about forfeiting something of value for something of greater intrinsic and eternal value. Through the process, we allow God to teach us something significant about the meaning of love, life and relationships—with Him and others.

In Bible times, during the Passover feast a lamb without blemish was sacrificed to represent redemption from bondage. God instructed the Hebrews to celebrate the deliverance from bondage in Egypt by telling the story of all He did during a special Passover meal (Seder).

More than simply telling a story, however, this special celebration models a Hebraic way of fathering children. It fosters a special time of engaging them in active discussion to help them process and reflect upon thoughts; coming to an understanding of why and how things happen, or cause and effect. By explaining what happened, why and how God did what He did, and discussing the fruits of the experience, we are able to impart a way of relating with God and getting to know Him—His ways and character.

RELEVANCE

This in fact was how Messiah Jesus taught and nurtured His disciples. He helped them come to understand God's love in a greater way, connecting and relating the stories of the Scriptures—the Law and Prophets—in a meaningful and relevant way to real life.  

The LORD celebrated this feast at what is referred to as “the last supper.”  He surprised His disciples by adding a new element to the celebration. When it was time to say the blessing over the bread, He said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Over the wine He said, "Drink from it, all of you.  For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”   (Matthew 26:26-28 NKJV )

The LORD became the Passover sacrifice. He sacrificed His life that we may have everlasting life.  We participate in His sacrifice and resurrection by not only partaking in this celebration, but experiencing the joy of walking in His liberty and love—where our focus shifts from our self-centered interests to caring about the interests of others.

Paul, therefore, declared, “Do nothing out of rivalry or vanity; but, in humility, regard each other as better than yourselves — 4 look out for each other’s interests and not just for your own.” (Philippians 2:3-4 JNT) 

This principle was also in view in exhorting believers to, “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  
(Romans 12:1-2 NKJV)

The more we become interested in and focused on the interests and needs of others—and how we can contribute to their lives—the more we will discover our greater purposes in life. It is out of our giving and serving others that we truly experience the joy of the LORD—which is our strength.

REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE

How do you look for ways to express God’s love, and live in a sacrificial manner, looking out for the interests of others?

What things do you reflect upon, wondering why things happen how they do, and how things might be able to be changed?

REFERENCES

1 John 3:16-24; Ephesians 5:1-2; Titus 2:6; 3:14; James 3:13-18

Crucifixion

Receiving God’s Amazing Grace by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Passover

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

God prescribed a particular day to slaughter a lamb in remembrance of the deliverance from the bondage of Egypt. He called this appointed time the LORD’s Passover. Messiah Jesus was crucified the same day the Passover was to be celebrated.  He became the permanent sacrificial substitute to redeem mankind from the curse of the law, heal us from the effects of our tendency to sin, and reconcile us back to a right-standing relationship with God.

In this, He fulfilled the prophecy recorded in Isaiah 53:5. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”

RELEVANCE

In receiving His love and the work of His crucifixion, we appropriate the punishment He suffered for our sins, which separated us spiritually from God. As we personally identify with the LORD, we also identify with the new life He lives in us by the Holy Spirit, which is the source of our grace in Him. In that grace, we are no longer under the power of the curse of the law.

When the Messiah was executed on the stake as a criminal, I was too; so that my proud ego no longer lives. But the Messiah lives in me, and the life I now live in my body I live by the same trusting faithfulness that the Son of God had, who loved me and gave himself up for me. 21 I do not reject God’s gracious gift; for if the way in which one attains righteousness is through legalism, then the Messiah’s death was pointless. (Galatians 2:20-21 JNT)

Paul celebrated his identification with the LORD’s crucifixion daily in an interesting way. He lived by the phrase, “I die daily.” Such a thought certainly makes it easier to take any curve ball or disappointment that comes your way with grace! It also keeps you humble, and enables you to lift your burdens up to the LORD from a lowly position—one from which He can easily lift you up.

REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE

Have you fully identified with the LORD’s crucifixion, receiving His total grace for the forgiveness of your sins?

Are there any areas in which you still condemn yourself, and have not fully received His love and grace?

REFERENCES

Romans 6:1-14; Galatians 5:24

New Birth

Responding in Faith to God’s Invitation of Life and Peace by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Passover

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

The Passover feast was prescribed to mark a critical transition from the bondage of Egypt to freedom found in a life based on faith and trust in God. As the children of Israel prepared to leave Egypt, the blood of the sacrificial lamb was washed over the doorposts of the home to spare its inhabitants from the angel of death which would strike the first born of Egypt.

God was preparing the people for a whole new way of life. He had some good surprises in store for them. He wanted to give them a new perspective on life. He would be revealing a new way to receive His amazing grace and experience life in His awesome presence. He was about to demonstrate to them a new dimension of life whereby they would find favor by actively trusting Him. He has the same message for us today!

Upon crossing the Red Sea, the children of Israel had truly entered into a new kind of relationship with God. God would begin the process of renewing and proving their heart. Through this process, God would reveal His presence, and demonstrate His awesome power, provision, and divine protection.

Through the 40 year journey, God would demonstrate His love and way to walk with Him in the new life, ”that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.”  (Deuteronomy 8:3 NKJV)

RELEVANCE

The LORD, likewise, began His ministry by spending 40 days in the wilderness.  At the end of that period, He quoted this very Scripture when tempted. When questioned by the Jewish leader, Nicodemus, the LORD uttered a profound statement:

Yes, indeed, I tell you that unless a person is born from water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. 6 What is born from the flesh is flesh, and what is born from the Spirit is spirit. 7 Stop being amazed at my telling you that you must be born again from above! 8 The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it’s going. That’s how it is with everyone who has been born from the Spirit. (John 3:5-8 JNT)

Being “born again” is a gift of God’s grace. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, changing the disposition of one’s soul, inclining the heart to God. The “new nature” of this renewed heart has a new set of values and motivations; but must be cultivated and nurtured by a deliberate choice to grow in this new life.

Effective spiritual growth is accomplished through Bible study, prayer, meditation on God’s Word, active fellowship, faithfulness, a willingness to yield to the Holy Spirit, and a heart inclined to worshiping God in spirit and truth. 

The message of a time of a new birthing has great relevance to all with an ear to hear, eye to see and heart to believe new things God is doing! A wise person maintains a posture of being observant and attentive to new and emerging things God may be doing in this season. As Creator, God is always birthing new things: creative ideas, character traits, ways of doing things, new opportunities, etc.

God truly watches over our affairs and has foreordained plans and purposes in which we have opportunity to participate. He, therefore, desires that we be mindful of changes in seasons, seek Him, and engage with Him to discover and discern such new things and opportunities that may bless us.

REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE

How are you cultivating and nurturing your new nature as a born again believer?

With whom do you fellowship to build yourself up in faith?

How are you ordering your time to include God in the equation of your life?

In what ways can you lock in a posture to be observant and perceive and discern new things God may be doing?

REFERENCES

John 3:5-8; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Release

Walking in Spiritual Reality by Relating with God through the Lord’s Passover

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

Passover was prescribed to be more than a mere celebration of freedom from bondage. It marks a total discharge—a genuine release and relief from the heavy burdens of sin and effects of the bondage and corruption of the world, its systems and environments in which we live.

Passover points to an opportunity to see how God begins the creative process. He separates light from darkness, truth from error and lies, and people from the weight, pressures and burden of bondage.

It marks the beginning of new things God initiates. He puts the past behind us, and prepares us for a new season of grace. We have the opportunity to receive His grace and release, and go forward—pressing towards God’s upward call.

RELEVANCE

Messiah Jesus truly bore our sins, thoroughly releasing us from the burden of the effects of sinful tendencies. The Holy Spirit, He said, would come to be our comforter; providing real relief from stress, anxiety, fear, depression, and every evil thing. The gospel, therefore, provides a real assurance and hope of spiritual freedom. 

In order to experience a new sense of liberty we have to truly receive His love and grace, and let go of things of the past; things that weigh us down. We may also have to break free of barriers or constraints; things that restrain our moving about or being able to receive new things and new opportunities from God so we can advance forward in life. One form of constraint is unforgiveness. It blinds us in bitterness as we judge others. It holds us back from receiving measures of God’s grace.

The LORD would have us continue growing and advancing forward. He wants us to live with a hope for the future. The Holy Spirit yearns to fill us with greater measures of peace and joy the world cannot comprehend!

So, since we have come to be considered righteous by God because of our trust, let us continue to have shalom with God through our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah. 2 Also through him and on the ground of our trust, we have gained access to this grace in which we stand; so let us boast about the hope of experiencing God’s glory. (Romans 5:1-2 JNT)

REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE

Have you appropriated the LORD’s total discharge from the heavy burdens of sin?  Have you cast off guilt?

Are you experiencing real relief from anxiety, stress, fear, and depression?  If not, place your burdens at the foot of the cross. Submit them to the LORD. Allow His blood to wash them away, and let the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your heart and mind through the LORD.  (Philippians 4:6)

Do you see opportunities for new things God may be doing in your life?

Do you see new resources, new ground for you to possess?

Do you hear heaven’s call to bring liberty and greater joy into your life?

What barriers or constraints may be holding you back from receiving God’s promises?

REFERENCES

Romans 8; Hebrews 6:9-12; 2 Peter 1

Connection

Be Blessed by Embracing God’s Values and Relating with Him through the Lord’s Passover

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

God desires quality spiritual connections with His children.  He, therefore, is focused on establishing and restoring active relationships with us.  His goal, therefore, is to bring your relationship with Him to a flourishing state of oneness with Him—a true solid union in His love.  This was the core focus of the LORD’s prayer recorded in John 17.

In the story about the children of Israel being delivered from the bondage of Egypt and led to freedom, the blood of a sacrificial lamb was sprinkled over the doorposts to mark the home that was spared from the plague of death. The blood, therefore, connected every family to God’s covenant of life.   Any individual who did not participate in the Passover feast would be cut off from the congregation of Israel.  God’s word says the Passover should be celebrated, “throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance.”  (Exodus 12:17)

In prescribing that ALL these feasts and appointed times should be kept for all generations, God was foreshadowing very real and relevant ways to keep them to maintain active relationship with Him! What was concealed as measures of grace was revealed as amazing grace in Messiah Jesus, who fulfilled them by giving more accurate understanding of God’s purposes.  

RELEVANCE

Passover was inaugurated as the first of a cycle of appointed times of the LORD, marking deliverance from bondage. John the Baptist introduced the LORD as, “God’s lamb! The one who is taking away the sin of the world! (John 1:29 JNT)

The LORD came to Jerusalem on the very day the Passover lamb was traditionally set aside for inspection.  Likewise, He endured five days of questioning and “inspection” from the Jewish leaders. He was crucified on the same day, at the same time the lamb was to be killed. 

He, therefore, became the sacrificial lamb, obtaining eternal redemption, “setting people free forever.” (Hebrews 9:12 JNT)  His blood was shed to, “cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (v. 14) It was shed, “that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”  (v.15) 

The precious blood of the LORD, therefore, was shed to set your conscience free from the anguish and guilt felt from performing worthless and vain works that cannot earn salvation, liberate your weary and bound soul, connect you to God’s Spirit, and guarantee you eternal peace with God!  His salvation is a gift of His grace.

Our union with Him is also to be dynamic and full of life. Such a union enables us to live in a free state of communion and communication with God.

God, therefore, desires to keep you continuously connected and engaged in bi-directional communication! If you can connect to somebody via a cell phone, you can connect with God! As the LORD said, “My sheep listen to my voice, I recognize them, they follow me, 28 and I give them eternal life.”  (John 10:27 JNT) 

Truly, He is as close as your heart; for He resides within you! It just takes receiving His love and listening for His whispering voice. His living word can come alive. Read His word….then listen intently to His Holy Spirit speaking to your heart.

REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE

How can your connection to God be strengthened?

Is your communion and communication with Him bi-directional?

Do you know His Holy Spirit intimately?

Would you like to recognize His voice speaking to you?  Ask and seek, my friend….

REFERENCES

Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 30:11-14; Psalm 86:11; James 2:23; John 14:15-24

I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE

Living Life in its Fullness by Relating with the Lord who is the Bread of Life

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

The Feast of Passover was approaching. The LORD had just performed the miracle of multiplying five barley loaves and two small fish into enough to feed a crowd of 5,000. The next day the people searched for Him; and after finding Him, engaged in conversation. He said some things that astounded them, including these statements: 

I am the bread which is life! Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever trusts in me will never be thirsty. 36 I told you that you have seen but still don’t trust. 37 Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will certainly not turn away. 38 For I have come down from heaven to do not my own will but the will of the One who sent me.    (John 6:35-36 JNT)

Yes, indeed! I tell you that unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in yourselves. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life — that is, I will raise him up on the Last Day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I live in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live through the Father, so also whoever eats me will live through me. (John 6:53-57 JNT)

RELEVANCE

As Messiah Jesus continued to share about the kingdom of God, many came to understanding and believed in Him. Yet there were also many who could not comprehend. It became apparent that some could see with spiritual eyes, and therefore, trust—believe; while those who could not see through eyes of faith were bewildered and frustrated. What was He really communicating? Isaiah had spoken something important about God’s covenant that helps us understand!

As for Me," says the LORD, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the LORD, "from this time and forevermore." (Isaiah 59:21NKJV)

God’s Word breathed by His Spirit bears LIFE. It is the LIFE of His covenant—and LIFE and LOVE of the LORD. As we receive His words with open hearts by faith, God’s Spirit breaths LIFE within us, watering the seeds of truth that His words bear. In such a way, His Words and Spirit IN US nurture and strengthen us, manifesting God’s presence in us. In such a way we live IN HIM—in UNION with Him. In John 17, the LORD prayed this would become reality!

I pray not only for these, but also for those who will trust in me because of their word, 21 that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are united with me and I with you, I pray that they may be united with us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. 22 The glory which you have given to me, I have given to them; so that they may be one, just as we are one —23 I united with them and you with me, so that they may be completely one, and the world thus realize that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you have loved me. (John 17:20-23 JNT)

In the LORD, we truly see El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient God who is the strength of our sustenance—and true bread of life. He is Jehovah-jireh—the Lord will see (to it); or provide! (Genesis 22:14)

REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE

How are you being filled daily with the Lord’s bread of life—His Words of truth bearing His life?

In what ways do you apply His word daily?

How does God’s word help bring you into union with God?

© 2006-10 Arise in Glory Ministries.   All rights reserved worldwide.


Unless otherwise specified, all Scripture references are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked JNT taken from the Jewish New Testament. Copyright © 1979 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. Scriptures marked NLT are taken from New Living Translation Holy Bible, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.