2-28-20

I was reading Luke 22 today. I just became overwhelmed, by the activities that were unfolding. This passage talks about what is happening directly before Jesus is betrayed and ultimately crucified. The account begins with verse 1 & 2 saying, “1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. 2 The chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people.” I know growing up, I had been told the story of the Passover in Exodus, and how God, with His awesome power and mighty hand, delivered His people from the yoke of the Egyptians. It wasn’t until recently, when I was studying, that I realized the Scripture talks about a multitude of people coming out of the bondage. Not just one race or family, all sorts came out! This is so beautiful! (I pray that you all get a spare moment to dig back into this ancient narrative and find all sorts of nuggets you may have missed in the past.) After they were freed, the people were told to hold a Feast, a Holy Appointed Time to the Lord annually. This is the Passover, to commemorate His people’s liberation from their suffering in Egypt. So what does this have to do with Jesus you may ask? Like I said earlier, Luke 22 opens up with us learning that the Feast of Passover is upon them. If you read on, Jesus tells his disciples to prepare the Passover Feast so that He may partake of it with them. During the time of the Feast, many people came to town to celebrate. Jerusalem was surely busting at the seams with laughter, singing, and fellowship. It was a joyous time for all who came! And yet, during this whole beautiful gathering, Jesus will be captured and slain. My heart is overcome with the thought that while He was being beaten and crucified, the sound of beautiful songs being sang to the Lord could have been heard muffled in the back ground. Oh but there was much reason for singing that day! Jesus laid out to His loved ones exactly what was going to happen to Him. It is beautifully told in verses 14–20, “”14 When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”” Jesus shows Himself in the elements of this Holy Feast. The bread is His body. The Passover bread is unleavened, not just everyday bread. Leavening is referred to in the Bible in some instances as representing sin. Jesus was without sin, unblemished by the things of the flesh. His blood was poured out for us to take away the curse of death that comes with sin. He paid it all! I wonder why we all don’t celebrate Passover each year. The Passover in Exodus points to the Messiah! All the components that make up the first Passover, He fulfills. Just beautiful!! Oh and look at that little gem in verse 19, “do this in remembrance of Me.” That looks like a beautiful command to me. Just like when the Father told that whole mixed bunch of people to keep the Passover to remember how He had delivered them, Jesus is saying the same to remember His sacrifice for us. I hope each one of you gets a chance to read up on all the wonderful treasures that can be found in the Feast of Passover. I pray that you all are blessed by this beautiful Feast!