Hi JF nice to see you.
Just a comment (a large comment actually) about the Passover, it was symbolic
of the wonderful work Jesus would eventually do on the cross.
Im sure you know the story of the 10 plagues with the last being the
death of the first born. The Israelites were told that in order to protect
themselves they had to kill a lamb and daub the door lintel etc with blood.
That the plague would pass over any house with this sign.
In other words the people inside were covered by the blood of the lamb.
Move forward a number of years and we see that this all pointed to
Jesus who became our permanent Passover lamb. The judgement of God passes
over us when we are born again as we are covered by the blood of the
Lamb who is Jesus. We carry this once and for all sacrifice with us wherever we
go, it covers us like a spiritual umbrella.
The Passover and forgiveness of sin via animal sacrifice
are what we refer to as the old covenant. The various sacrifices in
the Old Testament including the Passover, were a temporary solution to the problem
of sin. When Jesus died we entered into a new covenant, therefore there is no
need to celebrate the Passover as Jesus became the everlasting Passover lamb.
He died once and once only. He does not need to die every year unlike the
earthly Passover lambs. To keep celebrating the Passover now would be like
trying to kill Jesus over and over again.
Jesus kept the Passover and celebrated it on earth as he was keeping the old covenant
which was still in place before his death. Although as he was sinless fully man and fully
God, Jesus did not actually have any sin to forgive, but he did come to fulfill the law
of sin and death. In other words a worldwide forever crime had been committed, the
penalty was death and Jesus bore the forever penalty for us all.
But just before his death Jesus gave the disciples a new rememberance service to keep.
His death and resurrection guaranteed eternal life for those who would receive
his ultimate sacrifice as the forgiveness of sin. We don't need to keep the Passover
of the Old Testament any more as there is no need for any more sacrifices. However see the
following verses concerning the new remembrance service. It is more commonly referred to
as the communion service. Notice it actually says this is the new covenant, the new promise
between God and man. Jesus himself instituted this!
Luke 22:17-20 NKJV
[17] Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among
yourselves; [18] for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom
of God comes." [19] 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."
[20] Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant
in My blood, which is shed for you.
Jesus also said the following:
Luke 5:36-39 NKJV
[36] Then He spoke a parable to them: "No one puts a piece from a new
garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece
that was taken out of the new does not match the old. [37] And no one puts
new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins
and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. [38] But new wine must
be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. [39] And no one, having
drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.'"
In other words the old covenant has gone and a new covenant has been made
between God and man via the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus knew there
would be people with a mix and match approach, they would try to mix a bit
of the old covenant in with the new. The above parable warns against doing that.
Jesus also knew people would be drawn back to the old covenant because it was
what they understood and knew and they would say the old was better.
Isnt it amazing that God has made a new covenant, a new promise with you,
the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus ushered in that new covenant.
That is just astounding that God has entered into this covenant with us, with you my friend.
God almighty has made a promise to you - just think about that for a moment
and let it sink in.
Dont trample over that and nullify it for yourself by trying to go back to
the temporary less effective old covenant of the Passover.
