Yahweh, in His wisdom and love, has blessed His people
with Holy Days, Sabbaths, and Feasts.
Yahweh’s Holy Days are an image of His plan.
Some of the Holy Days are an image of the future
which we call prophecy. They look forward to wonderful, important times
still in the future. The Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement and the Feast
of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day are that kind of Holy Days — full
of hope and anticipation.
The other Holy Days are an image of things already
done. Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread are Holy Days like that.
They call to our minds the great exodus from Egypt and one of the most
important events in history, the death of our Savior. And Pentecost reminds
us of the giving of the Torah, the great Mount Sinai Covenant with Yahweh
and then later the pouring out of the Holy Spirit of Yahweh.
Why is it that Yahweh wants us to look backwards
at these times? What do we have to learn from events that are already complete?
Well, I love the Passover particularly because
that is the time when it seems that Our Elohim is so close to us. At the
first Passover in Egypt the presence of Yahweh kept the Israelites alive
when the firstborn were killed! He brought them out of Egypt with a mighty
hand! And on Passover in 31 AD(we think), our Savior showed his love
for his brethren, prayed his submission to his father’s will, was cynically
kissed by a man whose feet he had just washed, and then stood silent as
he was tried in an illegal trial, was convicted with false witnesses and
executed by brutal Roman soldiers.
We read about that night in 1 Corinthians
11:23-25. Then in verses 26-32 we read: For as often as you eat
this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the master's death till He
comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats the master's bread or drinks
the master's cup in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood
of the master. 28 But LET A PERSON EXAMINE HIMSELF, and so
let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who
eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself,
not discerning the master's body. 30 For this reason many are weak
and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge
ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged,
we are chastened by Yahweh, so that we may not be condemned with the world.
OUR PREPARATION
When they came into the promised land, the
Israelites prepared for Passover at Gilgal. They renewed their covenant
with Yahweh by circumcising every man.
Then Yahweh said to Joshua, "This day I have
rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." Therefore the name of the
place is called Gilgal to this day. Now the children of Israel camped in
Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight
on the plains of Jericho. (Joshua 5:9-10)
Today we need to prepare for Passover in a
similar way. We also need to renew our covenant with Yahweh. However, there
are differences:
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew who
is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;
29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that
of the heart. In the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from
men but from Yahweh.
The symbol of the new covenant in Yahshua
the Messiah is different from the symbol of the ancient Covenant with Abraham.
The symbol is baptism:
Colossians 2:11-13 In Him you were
also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, BY PUTTING OFF
THE BODY OF THE SINS OF THE FLESH, by the circumcision of the Messiah,
12 BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM, in which you also were RAISED WITH
HIM through faith in the working of Yahweh, who raised Him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision
of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you
all trespasses.
Paul tells us in Galatians that there is a
big difference after baptism into Yahshua the Messiah.
Galatians 6:15 For in the Messiah
Yahshua NEITHER CIRCUMCISION nor uncircumcision avails anything, BUT A
NEW CREATION.
So, just as circumcision was the requirement
for taking the old covenant Passover (Exodus 12:43-48), baptism
is the requirement for taking the new covenant Passover. It is only with
Yahweh’s spirit working with our spirit that we can properly prepare for
Passover.
SPIRITUAL PREPARATION
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone
is in the Messiah, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold,
all things have become new.
Galatians 5:5 For we, through the
Spirit, eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith 6
For in the Messiah Yahshua neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails
anything, but FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE.
Now, as we prepare ourselves for Passover
what are some of the things we need to be thinking about and doing? Consider
these scriptures:
Luke 12:42 And the master said, “Who then
is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over
his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will FIND SO DOING WHEN
HE COMES. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler
over all that he has. 45 But if that servant says in his heart,
'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and female
servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master
of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and
at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him
his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that SERVANT WHO KNEW
HIS MASTER'S WILL, AND DID NOT PREPARE HIMSELF OR DO ACCORDING TO HIS WILL,
shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know,
yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For
everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to
whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. 49
I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
50 But I have a immersion in which to be immersed, and how troubled
I am till it is accomplished!”
When Yahshua prepared for that last Passover
he did so WITH ALL HIS HEART. While we are not looking forward to our planned
painful death we do need to be deeply concerned that we come before Yahweh
at Passover having done everything that we could do to prepare.
This preparation is a spiritual activity to
be worked with the help of Yahweh’s Holy Spirit within us:
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which Yahweh has prepared for those who love Him.” 10
But Yahweh has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches
all things, yes, the deep things of Yahweh. 11 For what man knows
the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even
so no one knows the things of Yahweh except the Spirit of Yahweh.
12 Now WE HAVE RECEIVED, not the spirit of the world, but THE SPIRIT
WHICH IS FROM YAHWEH, that we might know the things that have been freely
given to us by Yahweh. 13 These things we also speak, not in
words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing
spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural [carnal]
man does not receive the things of the Spirit of Yahweh, for they are foolishness
to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Romans 8:5 For those who live according
to the flesh SET THEIR MINDS ON the things of the flesh, but those who
live according to the Spirit, THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT. 6 FOR
to be carnally minded is death, but to be SPIRITUALLY MINDED is LIFE AND
PEACE. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against Yahweh;
for it is not SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF YAHWEH, nor indeed can be. 8
So then, those who are IN THE FLESH cannot please Yahweh.
We need to be aware whether we are spiritually
minded or whether our minds are often on things of the flesh. Do we concentrate
on things and how to get them? Do we concentrate too much on our flesh
and how to gratify it? Are there things we do just for the fleshly body,
which are not right in Yahweh’s eyes? If we have a problem with turning
loose of these things we have a source of help! Think about things like
smoking, eating or drinking too much, inappropriate sexual thoughts and
actions, overworking to make more money than you need.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know
that you are the temple of Yahweh and that the Spirit of Yahweh dwells
in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of Yahweh, Yahweh will
destroy him. For the temple of Yahweh is holy, which temple you are.
Romans 8:9 But you are not in the
flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed Yahweh’s Spirit dwells in you. Now if
anyone does not have the Spirit of the Messiah, he is not His. 10
And if the Messiah is in you, (then on the one hand) the body is dead because
of sin, but (on the other hand) the Spirit [your spirit] is life BECAUSE
OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Yahshua
from the dead dwells in you, He who raised the Messiah from the dead WILL
also give life TO YOUR MORTAL BODIES through His Spirit which dwells in
you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors; not to the flesh, to
live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to
the flesh you will die; but if by [Yahweh’s] Spirit you put to death the
deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led
by the Spirit of Yahweh these are sons [or children] of Yahweh
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again [to smoking,
drinking, sex, etc.] to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by
which we cry out, "Abba, Father."
16 The Spirit itself bears witness
with our spirit that we are children of Yahweh 17 and if children,
then heirs; heirs of Yahweh and joint heirs with the Messiah, if indeed
we suffer with Him [in our flesh] , that we may also be glorified together
[in the spirit]. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be
revealed IN us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation
eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of Yahweh. 20 For
the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him
who subjected it in HOPE; 21 because the creation itself also
will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty
of the children of Yahweh. 22 For we know that the whole creation
groans and labors together with birth pangs until now. 23 Not only
that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption
of our body.
24 For we were saved in this hope,
but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what
he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly
wait for it with perseverance. 26 Likewise the Spirit also
helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as
we ought, but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings
which cannot be uttered.
Let Yahweh’s spirit help you today to know
what to ask for and how to ask. Let Yahweh help you. If you want to fix
it, He wants to help!
James 4:8 DRAW NEAR TO YAHWEH AND
HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your
hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let
your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10
Humble yourselves in the sight of Yahweh, and HE WILL LIFT YOU UP.
Ask yourself some searching questions.
With Yahweh’s help, Joshua of old was a great
conqueror! BECAUSE YAHWEH OF ISRAEL FOUGHT FOR ISRAEL. (Joshua 10:40-42)
We just read in Romans 8:37 that we are more than conquerors! This
is the time to seize that promise! With Yahweh’s help, we can conquer those
things that are keeping us from being all that we want to be, and all that
Yahweh wants us to be!
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a
High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points
tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time
of need.
Gird yourself up to use the power of Yahweh
through faith to conquer! Put away the unclean thing from yourself
and Yahweh will be your father and you shall indeed be his sons and daughters!
You can do it with Yahweh’s help! Yahweh wants you to succeed in this.
Luke 11:9 "So I say to you - ask,
and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will
be opened to you. 10 "For everyone who asks receives, and he
who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
You too can produce all the fruit that Yahweh
wants you to bring forth. Ask the Elders to pray for you to have all those
obstacles removed.
Renew your covenant with Yahweh before this Passover.
Present yourself as a living sacrifice that is suitable
to be offered to the king of the universe.
Matthew 25:34 "Then the King will say to
those on His right hand [who showed love], 'Come, you blessed of My Father,
inherit THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD:
It has been Yahweh’s plan for thousands of
years that YOU should have a place beside Him in his kingdom. There’s a
special place there with your name on it if you keep your covenant with
him; if you love Yahweh with all your heart and with all your mind and
with all your strength.
And if your love your neighbor as yourself and if you love Yahweh’s
children in the assembly the way Yahweh and Yahshua love them - enough
to give your life for them. Dedicate yourself to these ends! Let Yahweh
help you. Don’t try to do it yourself and fail again. Ask in faith, believing
and Yahweh WILL help.
CONCLUSION
Colossians 4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer,
being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be
strong in Yahweh and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the
whole armor of Yahweh, that you may be able to stand against the wiles
of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of Yahweh, that you may be able
to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the
breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet
with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all,
taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of Yahweh;
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore comfort
each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 12
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and
are over you in the master, and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them
very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, Warn those who are unruly, comfort
the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
15 See that no one renders evil for evil
to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing, [Do not stop praying!]
18 in everything give thanks; for this
is the will of Yahweh in the Messiah Yahshua for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies. [sound spiritual
messages]
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the Elohim of peace Himself
sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, mind, and body be preserved
blameless at the coming of our master Yahshua the Messiah.
24 HE WHO CALLS YOU IS FAITHFUL, WHO ALSO
WILL DO IT.
28 The grace of our Master Yahshua the
Messiah be with you. Amen.
May your Passover be a rich blessing!
Br Tom Schattke