Jesus is the Ultimate Passover Lamb

This Friday will begin the Passover celebration. I often like to look at the foundation of long standing events and today we will look at the Passover celebration. In the Old Testament book of Exodus we find the very first Passover event/celebration. Moses gave the detailed directions for how Passover will be celebrated and remembered to the children of Israel. The reason Christians celebrate Resurrection Sunday close to the dates of Passover is not a coincidence. Jesus was crucified on the Friday of passover week and He rose from the dead on the first day of the week. That is the reason Christians meet to worship on the first day of the week and the reason Easter is celebrated on Sundays. These celebrations coincide because Jesus fulfills what the first Passover lamb could not do. The first Passover was a type and shadow of what would ultimately be completed in the person and work of Jesus on the cross. There are several parallels between Jesus and the first Passover lamb but we will just look at four in this blog.

4 Reasons Jesus is the Ultimate Passover Lamb

1.    Jesus is our Passover lamb because He was perfect.

The Passover lamb was to be chosen because it was without blemish. It was to be a perfect sacrifice. Jesus was perfect. He never sinned in any way and He died as a perfect sacrifice.  

2.    Jesus is our Passover lamb because He wants to be close to us.

The Passover lamb was to be chosen and then spend 5 days with it's family before it's sacrifice. Jesus desires to spend time with us, get to know us and for us to get to know Him.

3.    Jesus is our Passover lamb because He gave His blood for us.

The obvious requirement for a Passover lamb is the shedding of it's blood. Jesus died for the purpose of shedding His blood for us.

4.    Jesus is our Passover lamb because His blood must cover us or we will die.

  The blood of the Passover lamb was to be spread on the doorposts of a house and in that way the occupants of the house would be saved from the coming death. All people will die a physical death but the Bible speaks about a second death. The second death is a spiritual death and it is a death of complete and permanent separation from God and all that is good. The acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice and shed blood covers us from that second death. The second death "Passes Over" those who are covered by Jesus.

The first Passover celebration pointed toward the ultimate                                Passover which was completed by Jesus on the Cross!

Holy Week Family Bible Reading

For a few years now my family has made a committed effort of reading special Holy Week Bible passages together during Holy Week. We have utilized different readings and have really been blessed by this special time each year as a family. I thought I would pass on the schedule we are going to use this week which includes passages from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. This schedule is actually from the Revised Common Lectionary schedule so it is not new with me. I pray it will be meaningful for you as you take a journey with your family through the pages of God’s rescue plan this week! So here you go:

Monday: Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 36:5-11, Hebrews 9:11-15, John 12:1-11

Tuesday: Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 71:1-14, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, John 12:20-36

Wednesday: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 70, Hebrews 12:1-3, John 13:21-32

Thursday: Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-35

Friday: Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42

Saturday: Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24, Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16, 1 Peter 4:1-8, John 19:38-42

Resurrection Sunday: Isaiah 25:6-9, John 20:1-18

I would love to hear your stories of God's work in your life this Holy Week. Leave a comment or send me a message. God Bless.

5 Common Rejections of Jesus

It is the time of the year when the discussion of who Jesus was ramps up. The rejection or the acceptance of Jesus is noticeable at this time. This discussion is not new. In fact it has been around for 2000 years. What may be interesting to some is that God's plan included Jesus' rejection. God is a redeemer. The Bible is often rightfully called redemptive revelation. In God's redemptive plan for mankind, He allowed Jesus to be rejected so we could be accepted! So, what are the common rejections of Jesus and what should a Christian response be to each?

5 Common Rejections of Jesus

1. Jesus is rejected because people are jealous of the power that is required to give up to follow Him. So, Christians should display humility and submission giving a living example for others to see. Power is addictive and all people are addicted to the power they have over their own choices and life control. Jesus commands total surrender and many people are unwilling to give up control.

2. Jesus is rejected because people are easily persuaded to follow other life choices. So, Christians should stand strong in the face of pressure. The latest fad or newest excitement often entices people to follow. Jesus demands perseverance in the faith.

3. Jesus is rejected because people desire to please those around them. So, Christians should be willing to be offensive. Many who do not follow Jesus yet would say that Christians are offensive but the truth of the Christian message is what is offensive to people. The good news of Jesus is offensive because it requires people to admit their faults and admit they can not do anything to make their life right.

4. Jesus is rejected because of peer pressure. So, Christians should be willing to go alone. Following the crowd is easy and very common. Taking the narrow road is difficult, courageous, and the Christian way.

5. Ultimately, Jesus is rejected because people reject truth. So, Christians must know and reveal the Truth. Today many people would say that truth is not rejected because truth can not be known.  This concept is not new. When Jesus faced the Roman governor Pilate, Pilate asked, "What is truth?" Truth was standing before him in the person of Jesus and Pilate did not know truth. Today people need to know that there is a concept of ultimate truth. That truth is revealed in the person of Jesus, discovered in the pages of the Bible, and displayed in the lives of Christians.