2013 Passover

SF, Stagecoach,  NV

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

     Next week, (Tuesday, March 25th at 6 pm through Sunday, March 31st 6 pm) is Passover.  Like the Chosen of God, we in the Body of Christ will be celebrating it (Exodus 12:14 & Luke 22:1-22) forever.
     For the Jew, it's to remind them how God sent them a deliverer (Moses) to set them free from the bondage of Egypt.  For Christians, it's to remind us of our deliverer (Jesus) and rejoice from the bondage of sin, to the salvation of spending eternity with Him.
     We are not under the law of Moses, but when we take communion in remembrance of our Lord, we are obeying the same basic principals of Passover.  For the last several years, we have kept the 3 mandatory feasts Exodus 34:18-27 tells us about; Passover, Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) and Tabernacles.  I have to tell you the parallels are uncanny, opening our eyes to the purpose and promises of each Feast.  
     Should you desire to have a family Passover meal, Exodus 12:1-28, 40-51 will tell you how.  Just remember we're not under the law, but like the Jew we can come to meet God with them.  
     If you want more, you can follow how Jesus and His disciples had Passover seeing the correlation between the Passover lamb and Jesus in Matthew 26:1-5, 17-20.  Notice in verse 1, that Jesus came to Jerusalem the same time all the lambs were brought in to sacrifice for Passover.  Verse 5 fulfills the promise that during Passover, no man could harm you (Exodus 34:24).  Verse 17 everyone prepares in advance for Passover because they had to remove leaven (sin) from their house (ungodly books, movies, music, etc., anything you wouldn't want Jesus to see).  Verse 20 shows us Jesus reclining at the table talking with his disciples, so we should relax and rest in Him that day too.
     You can also read John 2:13-25 and see in verses 14-16 how Jesus cleaned the temple (our body) before Passover.  So we can focus on our redemption - His life for ours.  Verses 19-22 reveals the scripture Jesus fulfilled.  Verses 23-25 you'll see that Jesus didn't care about what man thought, just that His purpose was being fulfilled. 
     There are roughly 118 verses in the New Testament about Passover, but let me share this last one with you.  Acts 12:1-12 Peter's death sentence was prolonged because of the 7 days of Passover in verse 3, so there is protection during Passover.  Verse 4, there were 4 squads of soldiers guarding against Peter's escape, so it doesn't matter what circumstance you're in, God can deliver you.  Verses 5-7, the Church was interceding for Peter and even with death over his head, and 2 soldiers bound to him, Peter slept so deeply, an angel had to strike Peter to wake him up!  Now that's trusting the Lord.  In verses 8-11, the angel gave Peter instructions - aren't we told be nice to strangers for it might be an angel from the Lord?  But even if you're unsure if you've having a dream or vision like Peter obey.  And I really like verse 12 because the Lord not only saved Peter from death, but those interceding knew their prayers were answered too.  
     I believe Passover is a time for; cleansing our temples (body), protection, intercession, praising and remembering what Jesus has done, is still doing and revealing to us, He is still the same yesterday, today and forever.  Only accepting the Blood of Jesus opens the door of forgiveness and deliverance.

May this year's evil, Pass-over you and your loved ones, in the manifestation of His perfect will on earth.

God Bless - SF