Passover


Celebrating the Passover is very helpful in changing the past. Upon reflection, while celebrating the Passover, I learn of things that I should not do from this day forward. I learn truth from His people's plight. As I unpack the Passover, I quickly relate the events to my life today. Sure, the story is old and long ago, yet I know there is nothing new under the sun. The only difference between today and three thousand years ago is tools. We are very much the same just during different time periods.

Then and Now
We struggle with family.
We struggle with selfishness.
We struggle with stealing.
We struggle with money.
We struggle with idols.
I could go on with this list and discover we share the same challenges from different periods in history. 

Why Passover? In short, to remember.
The Passover Seder is where I will marry old and new to learn and teach my family. Even from the beginning, we sought to be god. That place was taken and we chose another path to aspire after. Sin became our father as we sought to embrace the teaching. Sin was cast out of heaven faster than a lightening bolt. Do I empathize with sin? Yes. Would I share the hope I have with sin? You better believe it. Would sin listen? That's not for me to decide. 

The Seder is an interesting mix of smells and tastes combined with actions and words and shared with friends and family to bring awareness to my own struggles or victories. The Seder helps me to learn to remain free from selfish wants and desires that bind me and lock me into slavery. Do I want a new car? Yes, however I do not wish to be a slave to the car. Do I want to eat an entire chocolate cake? Yes, however I do not wish to be a slave to my gut. "Scoffer I would be!" Do I want more than one wife? Yes, however I have learned that one is enough, even for a king, if I love and treat her correctly. Blaa blaa…

The Seder brings awareness, yet it is only one piece of the great picture. There should be a flow leading into the Passover celebration. Let me breakdown a timeline to help me understand how I can leverage traditions to instruct my children. "This is an excellent way of confronting sin without confronting the person." 

Yes, leading into the Passover we shall go! Removal of sin is the key!

I have celebrated the Passover for the last few years. Each time, I learn something new and how to really draw myself and family into learning about God. When compared, a Jewish and Christian calendar align quite well. Amazing! I think. Not really… it's God's plan. 

Season of Remembrance 
Christian | Ash Wednesday
Jewish | Fast of Esther
Jewish | Purim
Christian | Annunciation
Jewish | Palm Sunday
Christian & Jewish | Good Friday & Eve of Passover
Jewish | Passover
Christian & Jewish | Easter & Passover
Jewish | Passover
Jewish | Passover
Jewish | Passover
Jewish | Passover
Jewish | Passover
Except Isreal | Passover

If I break each one of these dates down, I would see a plan that unfolded over three thousand years ago. The Passover started well before Anno Domini, establishing a tradition in the Jewish people that would not waiver. The desire to maintain tradition was so great, it fulfilled God's plan for His Son. I would even go as far to say, "Tradition was one of the top three reasons for Jesus being crucified." Hum… Food for thought.

Timeline Nutshell

Ash Wednesday in a nutshell: 
Jesus walking around in the desert and sin tempting Him. The key here is to resist sin. Live on the word of God and serve Him.

Fast of Ester in a nutshell:
Ester was respectful of authority or the king. The key here is she sought God's will over her own life.

Purin in a nutshell:
Being oppressed and finally breaking free. The key here is that if I stand firm with God, He will deliver on His promise.

Annunciation in a nutshell:
Mary conceives a child by the Holy Spirit. The key here is that the Promise is being made flesh.

Palm Sunday in a nutshell:
This is where the Promise arrive in Jerusalem for Passover. The key here is that the Promise is being delivered for sacrifice.

Good Friday in a nutshell:
This is where the Promise was delivered and sacrificed as payment for sin. The key here is if I look upon the snake that is nailed to the cross, I'll be saved. This is the promise so very long ago in the desert with Moses. Jesus being crucified.

Passover in a nutshell:
This was established to remember being set free by God while being under the yoke of Pharaoh. The key here is our bonds have been broken. We now live free from bondage.

Easter in a nutshell:
This is the empty tomb. Jesus was raised from the grave by God. The key here is that the Son has conquered death once and for all. If I place my trust in Him, He will speak to His Father about me. 

Passover continues for the remainder of the week. This is a celebration for being set free. Not just free from Pharaoh, free from death! Free from the bondage of slavery to sin. 

Lord, the Passover is good. Your timeline is flawless. This is an excellent tool for teaching my children, family, and friends about You and Your promise that never fails.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

Glory to You God!

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