"For also Messiah, our Passover, was offered for us." - 1 Corinthians 5:7b
|
Imagine yourself a slave. Hard labor and hunger are your companions. Frequent beatings are coupled by sleepless nights. You have no rights. No freedoms. No ability to choose for yourself. You are captive.
Now imagine that someone has come to free you. No longer would you be a slave, but one who was able to do whatever they wanted. Would you treat others the way you had been treated as a slave, or would you do all you could to help them out of their slavery?
The Passover of Yahweh is crucial for us to examine and understand, otherwise how can we truly keep it according to His command?
Though many who observe the Passover would argue that we are to keep it as outlined in Leviticus 23 in light of Exodus 12, does this hold true for followers of Messiah?
"These are the feasts of Yahweh, set apart convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.
On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is Yahweh's Passover."
- Leviticus 23:4-5
There are many who believe that the Passover is not for those who are of the New Covenant in Messiah Yahshua (whom many christians call Christ Jesus). They believe that the feasts belong to the Jews, however from the context and wording of the passage in Leviticus we read that Yahweh Himself says the feasts are HIS, "These are the feasts of Yahweh,". In regards to portions of Scripture when the appointed times are referred to as belonging to the Jews (Isaiah 1:14; John 7:2) is in the context of what they had made of them. Just as many christians have walked blindly in the traditions that had been handed down over the centuries and keep festivals in honor of the Creator but are riddled with paganism, so many of the Jews had perverted the feasts of Yahweh. This inevitably casts a dim light on the appointed times of our Creator in the eyes of many. However, going back to the fact that they are HIS feasts is something we need to keep in mind.
Since the Passover is His feast and begins the cycle of the yearly appointed times it is clear that there is significance to this day and one we would be wise to seek out.
So the question, "How do we observe the Passover through faith in Messiah Yahshua?" should be asked.
Do we keep the Passover as those being delivered out of Egypt did so long ago? How can we, since we are not slaves in Egypt?
True, we are coming out of spiritual bondage, a spiritual Egypt if you will, as He came to destroy the works of the devil and deliver us from our slavery to sin. He has delivered us from the bondage of sin into becoming bond-servants of Him.
"But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of Elohim, you have your fruit to kodesh (what many term as "holiness"), and the end, everlasting life."
- Romans 6:22
But many of us have not come out of literal, physical slavery in ancient Egypt under Pharaoh's rule. While I am sure there are some who would argue the applicability of that statement let us look at an even better example of why believers in the New Covenant are not to keep the Passover as ancient Israel did.
The Torah is all about Messiah. He is the living Word of Elohim. Since it is all about Him every aspect is going to reflect His ministry and being. So we can certainly see the pictures and shadows in that first Passover of Messiah.
Now imagine that someone has come to free you. No longer would you be a slave, but one who was able to do whatever they wanted. Would you treat others the way you had been treated as a slave, or would you do all you could to help them out of their slavery?
The Passover of Yahweh is crucial for us to examine and understand, otherwise how can we truly keep it according to His command?
Though many who observe the Passover would argue that we are to keep it as outlined in Leviticus 23 in light of Exodus 12, does this hold true for followers of Messiah?
"These are the feasts of Yahweh, set apart convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.
On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is Yahweh's Passover."
- Leviticus 23:4-5
There are many who believe that the Passover is not for those who are of the New Covenant in Messiah Yahshua (whom many christians call Christ Jesus). They believe that the feasts belong to the Jews, however from the context and wording of the passage in Leviticus we read that Yahweh Himself says the feasts are HIS, "These are the feasts of Yahweh,". In regards to portions of Scripture when the appointed times are referred to as belonging to the Jews (Isaiah 1:14; John 7:2) is in the context of what they had made of them. Just as many christians have walked blindly in the traditions that had been handed down over the centuries and keep festivals in honor of the Creator but are riddled with paganism, so many of the Jews had perverted the feasts of Yahweh. This inevitably casts a dim light on the appointed times of our Creator in the eyes of many. However, going back to the fact that they are HIS feasts is something we need to keep in mind.
Since the Passover is His feast and begins the cycle of the yearly appointed times it is clear that there is significance to this day and one we would be wise to seek out.
So the question, "How do we observe the Passover through faith in Messiah Yahshua?" should be asked.
Do we keep the Passover as those being delivered out of Egypt did so long ago? How can we, since we are not slaves in Egypt?
True, we are coming out of spiritual bondage, a spiritual Egypt if you will, as He came to destroy the works of the devil and deliver us from our slavery to sin. He has delivered us from the bondage of sin into becoming bond-servants of Him.
"But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of Elohim, you have your fruit to kodesh (what many term as "holiness"), and the end, everlasting life."
- Romans 6:22
But many of us have not come out of literal, physical slavery in ancient Egypt under Pharaoh's rule. While I am sure there are some who would argue the applicability of that statement let us look at an even better example of why believers in the New Covenant are not to keep the Passover as ancient Israel did.
The Torah is all about Messiah. He is the living Word of Elohim. Since it is all about Him every aspect is going to reflect His ministry and being. So we can certainly see the pictures and shadows in that first Passover of Messiah.
"Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year.
You may take it from the sheep or from the goats."
- Exodus 12:5
Yahshua was truly without blemish. He was sinless. He was also a male and He was the firstborn of Joseph and Mary. It is also said that He is the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15).
In John 1:29, John the baptist said of Yahshua, "Behold! The Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sin of the world!"
Messiah was and is the Lamb who was offered up for us. The picture of the lamb was since Abraham was going to offer his only son Isaac until Yahweh sent the ram as a substitution.
Reading further on in Exodus 12 we see a prescription that Yah gave His people to carry out in order to escape the coming judgment on Egypt. By putting the blood of the lamb on the doorposts and lintel the destroyer would pass-over that house and all inside would be saved. An obvious picture here of Messiah's blood, shed on the tree and covering those in His house (His body - His people) thus saving them from destruction. Truly an amazing depiction of an infinitely more amazing truth in Messiah's sacrifice!
But again, we are not slaves in Egypt awaiting the final plague nor living in houses that will be passed over. The issue here is one of fulfillment. This is a difficult subject for many because of the bad taste left in our mouths from men's traditions concerning the Word of Yahweh. For years many believed, and many still do, that Messiah fulfilled the Torah and thus did away with it. If He did such a thing then He would not have truly been the Messiah because no prophet or teacher from Yahweh would speak against His Torah. In saying that, Messiah also said this,
"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away,
one jot nor tittle will by no means pass from the Torah till all is fulfilled."
- Matthew 5:18
There will come a time when the Torah will no longer be needed as each person will know Him as they are known.
Heaven and earth have not passed away yet so all is not fulfilled, but does that mean nothing is fulfilled yet?
Some things to consider:
-Messiah will never be born again as an infant on this earth. That is fulfilled.
-Messiah will never die for our sins again. The offering and atonement is fulfilled.
-Messiah will thus never have to rise from the dead again. That is fulfilled.
-The day of Shavuot (Pentecost) will never happen again as it did that day in Jerusalem when the Spirit was poured out for the first time in such a capacity. That is fulfilled.
These are just a few things that have been fulfilled and thus will never take place again. That does not mean that Yahushua has done away with the Torah, nor does it mean that one jot or tittle has failed since the things written before did come to pass! And they still stand true as a testimony of His perfection and righteousness, thus they have not failed.
If these things have been accomplished in the "spring feasts" of Yahweh (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Shavuot) then how do we keep them? How do we keep the Passover?
"Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened.
For indeed Messiah, our Passover, was offered up for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
- 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Paul does not discount observing the feast by not ridding the home of leaven, as he says, "not with the old leaven" but points out something even deeper...the leaven of sin. In this we see an all too important point that Paul is stating: Messiah is our Passover. He is the entirety of the feast, therefore let us treasure this time in remembrance of what HE did.
"Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.
This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Master's death till He comes."
- 1 Corinthians 11:24-26
In remembrance of Him. Proclaiming His death (offering) until He comes (the fruition of His offering for us).
As Messiah became the Passover Lamb of Yahweh, so we should look to His example in keeping the feast. What do we see in His timing, His observances, His words, His steps? These are what we must keep in mind when seeking to understand how to keep this appointed time.
Do we look to observe the Passover on the 14th day of the first month each year even though it now does not always line up with the timing of Messiah's keeping of the feast? Remembering that He fulfilled it perfectly we must look at a few things. In the year that Yahushua kept the Passover He arrived in Jerusalem, proclaimed the Renewed Covenant, was arrested, tortured, crucified, died, was buried, and rose from the dead all in the perfect timing that only He could accomplish.
He died on the Passover, was laid in the tomb for 3 days and 3 nights and rose at the perfect time on Firstfruits.
To observe the Passover at any other time in the week would not be remembering it the way HE fulfilled it.
According to the timing of our Creator the 14th day of the first month can fall on any day of the week. In the year that Yahshua offered Himself up as our Passover the 14th day would have been on the 4th day of the week (what many know as wednesday) in order for Him to be in the tomb 3 days and 3 nights, so as to rise by the beginning of the 1st day of the week (what many know as sunday). This would be in keeping with the commandment of when Firstfruits is (Leviticus 23:9-14).
Are you confused? Don't be! Seek the Father, through His Word, and the Spirit will guide you in understanding. Remember, it is all about Messiah and the work that He accomplished on the tree for you and I. If it is all about Him and our desire is to please Him then He will honor that and teach us with each step.
You may take it from the sheep or from the goats."
- Exodus 12:5
Yahshua was truly without blemish. He was sinless. He was also a male and He was the firstborn of Joseph and Mary. It is also said that He is the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15).
In John 1:29, John the baptist said of Yahshua, "Behold! The Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sin of the world!"
Messiah was and is the Lamb who was offered up for us. The picture of the lamb was since Abraham was going to offer his only son Isaac until Yahweh sent the ram as a substitution.
Reading further on in Exodus 12 we see a prescription that Yah gave His people to carry out in order to escape the coming judgment on Egypt. By putting the blood of the lamb on the doorposts and lintel the destroyer would pass-over that house and all inside would be saved. An obvious picture here of Messiah's blood, shed on the tree and covering those in His house (His body - His people) thus saving them from destruction. Truly an amazing depiction of an infinitely more amazing truth in Messiah's sacrifice!
But again, we are not slaves in Egypt awaiting the final plague nor living in houses that will be passed over. The issue here is one of fulfillment. This is a difficult subject for many because of the bad taste left in our mouths from men's traditions concerning the Word of Yahweh. For years many believed, and many still do, that Messiah fulfilled the Torah and thus did away with it. If He did such a thing then He would not have truly been the Messiah because no prophet or teacher from Yahweh would speak against His Torah. In saying that, Messiah also said this,
"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away,
one jot nor tittle will by no means pass from the Torah till all is fulfilled."
- Matthew 5:18
There will come a time when the Torah will no longer be needed as each person will know Him as they are known.
Heaven and earth have not passed away yet so all is not fulfilled, but does that mean nothing is fulfilled yet?
Some things to consider:
-Messiah will never be born again as an infant on this earth. That is fulfilled.
-Messiah will never die for our sins again. The offering and atonement is fulfilled.
-Messiah will thus never have to rise from the dead again. That is fulfilled.
-The day of Shavuot (Pentecost) will never happen again as it did that day in Jerusalem when the Spirit was poured out for the first time in such a capacity. That is fulfilled.
These are just a few things that have been fulfilled and thus will never take place again. That does not mean that Yahushua has done away with the Torah, nor does it mean that one jot or tittle has failed since the things written before did come to pass! And they still stand true as a testimony of His perfection and righteousness, thus they have not failed.
If these things have been accomplished in the "spring feasts" of Yahweh (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Shavuot) then how do we keep them? How do we keep the Passover?
"Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened.
For indeed Messiah, our Passover, was offered up for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
- 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Paul does not discount observing the feast by not ridding the home of leaven, as he says, "not with the old leaven" but points out something even deeper...the leaven of sin. In this we see an all too important point that Paul is stating: Messiah is our Passover. He is the entirety of the feast, therefore let us treasure this time in remembrance of what HE did.
"Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.
This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Master's death till He comes."
- 1 Corinthians 11:24-26
In remembrance of Him. Proclaiming His death (offering) until He comes (the fruition of His offering for us).
As Messiah became the Passover Lamb of Yahweh, so we should look to His example in keeping the feast. What do we see in His timing, His observances, His words, His steps? These are what we must keep in mind when seeking to understand how to keep this appointed time.
Do we look to observe the Passover on the 14th day of the first month each year even though it now does not always line up with the timing of Messiah's keeping of the feast? Remembering that He fulfilled it perfectly we must look at a few things. In the year that Yahushua kept the Passover He arrived in Jerusalem, proclaimed the Renewed Covenant, was arrested, tortured, crucified, died, was buried, and rose from the dead all in the perfect timing that only He could accomplish.
He died on the Passover, was laid in the tomb for 3 days and 3 nights and rose at the perfect time on Firstfruits.
To observe the Passover at any other time in the week would not be remembering it the way HE fulfilled it.
According to the timing of our Creator the 14th day of the first month can fall on any day of the week. In the year that Yahshua offered Himself up as our Passover the 14th day would have been on the 4th day of the week (what many know as wednesday) in order for Him to be in the tomb 3 days and 3 nights, so as to rise by the beginning of the 1st day of the week (what many know as sunday). This would be in keeping with the commandment of when Firstfruits is (Leviticus 23:9-14).
Are you confused? Don't be! Seek the Father, through His Word, and the Spirit will guide you in understanding. Remember, it is all about Messiah and the work that He accomplished on the tree for you and I. If it is all about Him and our desire is to please Him then He will honor that and teach us with each step.