Passover

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Death and Resurrection of Jesus, The Servant

Mark 14:1-2
1Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him.2"But not during the Feast," they said, "or the people may riot."

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If you're not very familiar with The Old Testament, let me give you a brief overview of the event coming up in the above verses.  The Passover commemorated the night the Israelites were freed from Egypt (Exodus 12), when God "passed over" homes marked by the blood of a one year old lamb without defect, while killing firstborn sons (and animals) in unmarked homes - Egyptian homes specifically.  The day of Passover was followed by a seven - day festival called the Festival of Unleavened Bread, commanded by God.  I love how God calls us to celebrate in times of remembrance; because it recalls just how good and faithful He is; and is always going to be.  This holiday brought people together for a special meal.  Eventually the whole week came to be called Passover, and is celebrated annually today (the week before Easter).

When you have the time, go back to Leviticus and learn about the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  I find it so intriguing to know that every event connects.  It reminds me time and time again that God is a deliberate God.  Nothing is random, by chance or luck.  He is a God of purpose and meaning.  We forget this very important fact.  And I don't know how He does it, because He is All-Knowing; but even through our good and even those whack choices; His purposes still and will always prevail.  As we learn more about The Passover, we learn how it leads directly to our eternal Lamb, Jesus Christ, who covers us with His blood to live everlasting life.  How awesome is God?!!!

We also learn in the 2 verses above, that the leaders were determined to kill Jesus, and secretly plotted against Him.  They carefully planned Jesus' murder, because Jesus was very popular with the people; and they were afraid of the people.  Therefore, they had to be very crafty in accomplishing their evil goal.

In this observation, the word SECRET stands out.  Let's be honest, unless we're planning a surprise party or any surprise presenting good news; if we're doing something in secret, it's because it's wrong.  We don't want to be bothered with being corrected, we don't want to feel conviction because we want to continue doing it.  Well, if you're in this position right now, know this: It may be a secret to the people around you, but it isn't a secret to God.  He sees it all, and wants you to let it go.  He desires this, because He knows you can live without whatever it is.  If it's in secret, it's probably taking your life, more than it's giving you life.

It's time to review our own lives.  What is this action that you're doing in secret?  Admit it aloud to God, or to someone who can pray with you and for you.  And let's put effort into letting go of something that's just giving the devil room to play in our life.  Don't give him any room.  Give it all to God.  I'm praying for us to all live secret free lives.  With God , everything is meant to be in the light.


PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive us for forgetting your Sovereignty.  Forgive us for ignoring Your every-where - present presence, and sinning before you.  Forgive us for not completely releasing the desire to do it "our way."  LORD, You are a good God.  You are our Help and I ask that You help each of us in our secret areas.  I ask that You give us Your strength in letting it go completely.  I ask that You bring forth the desire that is within us, to please You and live Your way; in the Light and not the dark.  For You have given us power and authority of the enemy and darkness; and our actions are allowing that Power to go unused.  Forgive us LORD, and in turn, show us how to forgive ourselves.  Sometimes we are our own worse critic.  Jesus, show us how awesome Your Help is.  I pray that we each work with You and not against You.  In Your precious Name, we pray.  Amen