Do you know why Jesus was in Jerusalem this particular week? He came to Jerusalem virtually every year of His life to celebrate Passover. He was not there for Palm Sunday. He was there for the eternal purpose of fulfilling the original Passover in the deliverance from Egypt and the slavery of the wicked Pharaoh. The first Passover was symbolic. The Lamb’s blood on the doorpost did nothing about their sinfulness. It was a mark to spare the Israelites from the death of the firstborn, which was God’s judgement on Egypt.
When Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples, He was to become the ACTUAL LAMB OF GOD to take away the sins of the world for all who would believe in Him.
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1:29-33
Of course Christians call it the Last Supper, but it was actually a regular Passover under extraordinary circumstances. The first Passover in Egypt was to be remembered for all generations. But, when Jesus led this Passover He made a profound point which would change the future observance of Passover. He boldly charged the disciple to specifically remember Him from now on, every time they held a Passover meal.
And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19
and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24
Oddly, most churches use Paul’s quotation rather than Luke’s. This has the subtle (unintentional) effect of slightly separating communion from the Passover. When Jesus said: “Do this…” He was referring to Passover. He is the Passover Lamb of God! We most certainly should have communion, but remember the Lamb. Remember the rest of the story. It is not about instituting a new religious sacrament. It is identifying Yeshua, our Messiah, as the Lamb slain for us! His blood is not symbolic; it is effectual in paying the price for our sin through His death. The eternal justice of Yehovah God is satisfied, that Jesus die in our place. God has closed the books on our sin for all who simply believe in Him who died. Hallelujah!
Christians should continue sharing communion, but we are also blessed to participate in the 3,500 year history of Passover. This is even more true once we reconnect to our Jewish roots through the Jewish Messiah.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for rain in the time of latter rain.
Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
The Ironic Passover of 2024
24 04 20243,470 years ago Satan tried to exterminate Israel using the Pharaoh of Egypt. Countless attempts have followed throughout history peaking with Hitler. He succeeded in killing six million Jews. Yet, three years later, modern Israel was born. The miracle of Yehovah’s preservation of His people is undeniable.
How ironic that the same demonic spirit is still at it. From the October 7th massacre, it has only become worse. Antisemitism is spreading over the earth faster than a pandemic. In our modern days of “enlightenment and reason” how ironic that ignorance reigns again. But God is still in control; and He will yet again preserve Israel in this day! It is fitting that we observe Passover during this present war and pandemonium. Now more than ever, we need the Lamb of God.
Passover centers around the sacrifice of a lamb on that long ago night in Egypt. But over three millennia later it is still observed by Jews and many Christians. The Passover lamb was the prophetic picture of the ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah Son of God, whose blood paid the price for our sins. Yeshua is the Lamb that God provided for our sins, just as he did for Abraham and Isaac.
The Temple sacrifices of Israel only covered over their sin for another year. But, the death of God’s Son completely removed, took away our sins, if we believe Him. He is the Messiah, the Promised One!
The devil is still trying to kill the Jews, but he will fail again. Yehovah fights for Israel. The miraculous shooting down of 110 ballistic missiles from Iran is the latest example. There will be no “two-state solution.”
Notice the picture (above) of the IDF soldier holding matzah bread. Three points about the bread reveal Jesus. It is striped and pierced; as was Jesus. But most importantly, it is unleavened. Jesus was “unleavened” by sin. He was sinless. That is why He qualified to die in our place. Thank you Father God and thank you Jesus, our Messiah!
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray that “next year in Jerusalem,” there will be peace!
Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
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Tags: Gaza, Israel, Jerusalem, Passover, Yehovah, Yeshua
Categories : Israel Commentary