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The Feast of Passover
Finding Significance by Relating with God through the Lord’s Feast of PassoverSummary
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. 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. Accepting and receiving the LORD’s 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.
Life Application Questions 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. Scripture References
Discovering God’s Purposes by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Feast of PassoverSummary More than simply telling a story, however, this special celebration models a Hebraic way of fathering families. As fathers, we do more than instruct by speaking to or at our children: we engage them in active discussion which includes a question-and-answer approach aimed at helping 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. This in fact was how Messiah Jesus taught and nurtured His disciples. He helped them connect and relate the stories of the Scriptures—the Law and Prophets—in a meaningful and relevant way to real life. The Amplified Bible does a great job relating this in Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:18-19. He prayed that people would fully grasp the love of God and apprehend “what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!”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.” 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.
Life Application Questions 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?
Scripture References
Receiving God’s Amazing Grace by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Feast of PassoverSummary 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.” In receiving 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.
Life Application Questions 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 grace?
Scripture References Romans 6:1-14; Galatians 5:24
Responding in Faith to God’s Invitation of Life and Peace by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Feast of PassoverSummary Upon crossing the Red Sea, the children of Israel had entered into a new 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) 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:
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.
Life Application Questions How are you cultivating and nurturing your new nature as a With whom do you fellowship to build yourself up in faith? How are you ordering your time to include God in the equation
Scripture References
Walking in Spiritual Reality by Relating with God through the Lord’s Feast of PassoverSummary Passover also reveals the beginning of God’s 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. The LORD 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. The LORD truly is our hope of glory. The Holy Spirit fills us with a real peace and joy the world cannot comprehend!
Life Application Questions 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 may be holding you back from receiving God’s promises?
Scripture References Romans 8; Hebrews 6:9-12; 2 Peter 1
Be Blessed by Embracing God’s Values and Relating with Him through the Lord’s Feast of PassoverSummary The blood of the sacrificial Passover 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 feast would be cut off from the congregation of Israel. God’s word says this feast should be celebrated, “throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance.” (Exodus 12:17) The Passover feast was inaugurated as the first of a cycle of covenant feasts of the LORD, marking deliverance from bondage. John the Immerser, 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 connect and engage with you in bi-directional conversation. 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 listening. His living word can come alive. Read His word….then listen intently to His Holy Spirit speaking to your heart.
Life Application Questions 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….
Scripture References
Living Life in its Fullness by Relating with the Lord who is the Bread of LifeThe 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:
As He 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!
God’s Word breathed by His Spirit bears LIFE. It is the LIFE of His covenant—and LIFE 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 manifest God’s presence in us, causing us to live IN HIM—in UNION with Him. In John 17, the LORD prayed this would become reality!
In the LORD, we truly see El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient God who is the strength of our sustenance—and true bread of life.
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