Friday, April 3, 2009

Passover Isn't Just For Jews


It seems appropriate to begin this blog with Passover. God told Moses to make Passover the beginning of the year. It's also Spring and Spring does seem the time for the beginning of things, doesn't it? So does a deliverance from bondage to a tryrannical slave-lord like Pharaoh. Talk about a new beginning! Being released from Egypt was THE new beginning for Israel and as it turns out because of their release, a new beginnning that would affect the world.

The celebration of Passover isn't just for Jewish people. God told Israel to observe Passover yearly, including all who joined them who wished to follow their God . This extends to the non-Jewish believers in Jesus [Yeshua - His real Hebrew name] today. We are all to celebrate the Passover at this time of year every year forever! Forever would include now, wouldn't it?

As we celebrate Passover we are participating in what God is doing in our day to restore His ancient paths in preparation for Yeshua's return. It's that significant! God's deliverance from the terrible slavery of the Jewish peole in Egypt was the single most powerful manifestation of His power and love in the earth, second only to the Resurrection of their Messiah, Yeshua. Passover teaches us much of how we are also set free through faith in Yeshua, the (Passover) Lamb of God (See John 1:29).

During the seven days of Passover the Israelis were commanded to eat no leavened bread. Leaven in the Bible is a sign of pride (as in puffed up) and of sin. Not eating bread is a sign to God of our desire to be free of sin in our lives as we live before Him. God told them "for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread...and nothing unleavened" (Exodus 13:6,7). Why not obey God joyfully observing this commandment? There is a sense of blessings in it, a feeling of being separated unto God, and of His pleasure in us. We keep it not out of some obligation or law, but out of a heart that wants to bless God.

When Israel left Egypt there was no one sick or feeble among them. That would mean physically and emotionally. No depression that day! Would you consider keeping the Feast of Unleavened Bread by offering up your normal bread and cake for a week (you can eat anything but what has yeast or leavening in it), and while doing so pray for those you know who are in bondage to sin or are in need of healing. Replace your bread with a box of matzoh (available at any supermarket usually with other Passover goodies). Pray also for the peace of Jerusalem and for our nation.

God had ordained this time to be the beginning of the year (but a Roman emperor changed it in the 400's or so as worship to the god Janus; therefore we have January.) We are starting a new spiritual year in this month of April. Fasts are often God's way of preparing His people for what is coming the rest of the year. It may be to strengthen your faith or to enlarge your capacity for His blessings. He will bless those who seek Him through fasting and prayer. God honors those who honor Him! A "matzoh fast" is a wondeful way to honor God and put yourself in a place for Him to honor you for your obedience.
In these days in which we live, those who acknowledge God's ancient ways and observe them through faith in His Son Yeshua by grace enter into a place close to God's heart. May He draw you closer to know Him than ever before during this Passover season. Hag Sameach! (hahg s'may akh). Joyous Holiday!
For more on the Jewish roots of Christianity and related articles by Lonnie Lane and others go to: http://www.sidroth.org/.

3 comments:

  1. good article - clear and concise

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  2. I'm having some difficulty signing up because of the need for visual verification. (I am blind and use a screen reader).

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  3. I shall, no doubt, be a frequent visitor to this blog. Lonnie's articles are always well worth the reading, ranging from the theological (horrible word, but I don't know how better to describe it) to the personal. May Lord bless you for your presence on the Web.

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