Preparing for Passover

What were Jesus and His disciples doing before He was crucified? We know that His crucifixion took place during Passover but do you know the connection between the Jewish Passover and Christ's death on the cross?

The Passover was ordained by God while the Jewish people were living in exile in Egypt. Moses was instructed by God to plead with pharaoh for the release of the Jewish people from captivity. Pharaoh's heart remained hardened and he refused to let the Jewish people go regardless of the plagues God brought upon the people of Egypt.

In the final plague, God said he would kill the first born of every household in Egypt. The Jewish people were instructed to slaughter a year-old male goat or lamb at twilight and apply the blood on the doorposts of their homes. They were to eat the meat roasted over a fire along with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast.

"This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste, it is the Lord's Passover." Exodus 12:11

That night the Lord struck down the first born in the land of Egypt, but the Lord passed over those who had the blood on their doorposts. Pharaoh released the Jewish people from their bondage that night and they left the land of Egypt in haste. The Jewish people continue to celebrate Passover each year during the first full moon in the spring to commemorate God's promise to free them from captivity.

Jews from all over Israel made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem each year to celebrate the Passover in the Holy City. Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. As the people made the journey up the hills leading to Jerusalem, they sang "Pilgrim Psalms" or "Songs of Ascent." These songs can be read in the book of Psalms, beginning with Psalm 120 and ending with Psalm 134.

The Psalms were used as a time to reflect on sins committed and prepare hearts to be in an attitude of repentance before the sacrifice was made at the temple on Passover.

We can use these Psalms during Lent to prepare our hearts and repent of sin before we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Easter. 

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins." Psalm 130

Jesus fulfilled this scripture when he willingly died on the cross for the sins of the world. His body was placed on the cross and his sinless blood covered the crosspieces to make atonement for sin. He is the sacrificial lamb, slaughtered at twilight to save all those who believe in him from eternal damnation. Thanks be to God!

What the Bible says about wild weather

The Bible tells us that the earth began suffering from the time Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. God told Adam, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." Genesis 3:17-19

Paul alluded to this reference when he told the church in Rome; "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subject to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Romans 8:18-23

When Jesus was asked by His disciples for a sign of His coming and what to expect at the end of the age, He told them that there would be wars, famines and earthquakes but that these were the beginnings of birth pangs. Matthew 24:7

The earth is in labor awaiting the return of Christ. It has been in a state of decay and no technology in the world can prevent the inevitable from happening. Labor pains start out small and are spaced far apart. But as the time of delivery approaches, the pains gain in intensity and length until the baby is born. The earth is approaching its delivery from decay and we can expect to see more wild weather as the day of the Lord nears.

Jesus had a foreknowledge of what was to take place on the earth before He came a second time to set up His eternal kingdom, but warned that know one knows the day or the hour of His return. Yet He gave His disciples signs to watch for so they could stand firm to the end.

Paul also warned the believers in Thessalonica. "Now brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief." 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4

Jesus explained to his followers that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations before the end will come. Matthew 24:14

He also quoted from the prophet Joel who had predicted that the sun will turn to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. But Joel also added a message of hope. "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls." Joel 2:31-32

Jesus gave many signs of what was to come before the end of the age. "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in aguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:25-28

Instead of being worried and fearful, as Christians we should instead praise God that we are living at this time in history. The world needs Christ as never before and the harvest for the kingdom of God is plentiful but the workers are few. Share the hope that you have because of Jesus with those who are living in fear. 

The final scripture in Revelation sums it all up, "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen." Revelation 22:20-21

Prayer for Japan

Father God, we come to you on behalf of the people of Japan and ask that you hear the cries of those who are hurt, grieving and overwhelmed by the devastating earthquake. We know that nothing comes as a surprise to you and that you care for all those who are suffering. We don't understand the loss of life, but we do trust in you.

Lord, may those affected by the earthquake and tsunami seek you in the midst of their pain. Your word says that all those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.

We pray for rescuers to have supernatural wisdom to find people buried in the rubble. We pray that many people will be found safe because of miraculous circumstances created by you.

We are amazed at the people around the world who are willing to lend aid and support and pray that you will be glorified in the midst of all the suffering. Send Christian people to the area to be the hands and feet of Christ and bring many people into your kingdom as a result.

Be merciful God to the people of Japan. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Jesus predicts his own death

As we begin the season of Lent, our hearts are turned toward the work of salvation that Jesus provided for us while on the cross. 

Jesus knew what awaited him in Jerusalem and that his death was imminent. He knew that his mission was to die for the sins of the world and he willingly laid down his life for all mankind. Jesus tried to prepare his followers for what was to happen, but they had hoped that he had come to redeem the Jewish people and didn't understand the bigger picture. 

Jesus knew and believed what the Old Testament prophets had said about his death. Isaiah predicted that the Messiah would be rejected, tried and condemned, struck and spat upon. The Psalms predicted that the Messiah would be rejected, betrayed, mocked, insulted and crucified. (See scripture references at the end of this blog).

He predicted his death to his followers several times in scripture.

After Peter recognized that Jesus was the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah, Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

"From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." Matthew 16:21

As Jesus explained to his followers about the kingdom of God. He told them that the kingdom of God was within them.

"Then he said to his disciples, 'The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. Men will tell you, There he is! or Here he is! Do not go running off after them. For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation." Luke 17:22-25

"Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 'We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!'." Matthew 20:17-19

"He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

But Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. 'Get behind me, Satan!' he said. 'You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men'." Mark 8:31-33

As they were passing through Galilee, Jesus spoke to his disciples, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him and after three days he will rise." But the disciples did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. Mark 9:31-32

"They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 'We are going up to Jerusalem,' he said, 'and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise'." Mark 10:32-34

"Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, 'We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.'

The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them and they did not know what he was talking about." Luke 18:31-34

Even though the disciples were told what was to take place, they didn't understand. We are blessed to have their eye-witness testimonies of what actually took place recorded for us in the Bible. 

As we approach the season of resurrection, keep in mind the words of Christ to his followers. He had foreknowledge of what was to happen to him and yet he didn't back down. He alone is worthy of praise!

Prophetic scripture: Isaiah 53:1,3; Psalm 118:22; Psalm 41:9; Isaiah 53:8; Isaiah 50:6; Psalm 22:7,8; Psalm 22:14-17 and Psalm 16:10.