PASSOVER: YOUR ANCHOR IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
Each day the world seems more out of control! The news seems to be filled with nothing but stories of threats of war, political chaos, terrorist attacks, and more. You never know what to expect! In times like this, you need anchors to stand strong! One anchor that God has given us as believers is the celebration of the Biblical Feasts. During this week of Passover, let’s look at three ways observing Passover will keep you unshaken, no matter what is happening in your life or the world.
1. INCREASED INTIMACY with GOD
God’s heart is passionate toward the biblical feasts. After all, HE designed them, not the Jewish people! He created them to be “moadim” — special appointments that enable you to experience more of God’s blessings and love, and deepen your intimacy with Him. Intimacy with God is critical for standing strong and unshaken in uncertain times because it’s the ONLY thing that cannot change and the ONLY thing that cannot be taken away from you! You wouldn’t miss any other appointment on your calendar, why would you want to miss a special appointment time with God?
2. ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL
Jesus’ death on the cross was the complete fulfillment of the Feast of Passover in perfect detail and timing. For example: The passover lambs were slain and bound to pomegranate wood in the shape of crosses at 9am – the exact time that Jesus was bound to the cross. Their sides were pierced, their entrails were wrapped around their heads and kept in place with thorns – a picture of Jesus on the cross. A mixture of blood and water poured down the Temple Mount from beneath the temple just as it poured out of Jesus’ side. THE Passover Lamb, that of the High Priest, was slain at 3pm – the exact time that Jesus died. Clearly, there are no coincidences with God! He is a God of extreme detail, and just as every detail in Passover mattered to Him, He cares about and wants to be a part of every single detail in your life as well. His plan to reveal redemption in Jesus through the Feast of Passover has existed from the beginning and will be celebrated throughout eternity!
Every year when you observe Passover (and each biblical feast), it is an anchor for your soul. You know with unshakable confidence that just as Jesus completely fulfilled the Spring Feasts (Passover, First Fruits, and Shavuot), He will just as perfectly in detail and timing fulfill the Fall Feasts (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot).
3. PREPARATION and PRACTICE FOR THE FUTURE
Imagine you were planning to be married next week. Wouldn’t you want to know all that you could about your future spouse before you married him or her? First, because you love this person so much, you are “obsessed” with knowing them and drawing close to them, and second because you want to be prepared for what it’s going to be like to live with this person for the rest of your life! Well it’s the same way with Jesus! He is your bridegroom and He is coming back soon to fulfill His marriage vows to you. In love, He already sent His Spirit ahead as the guarantee, or “Matan” — a gift the bridegroom would give His bride to assure her of his love and commitment while he went away to prepare his father’s house for her after the Jewish wedding ceremony. Don’t you want to be prepared for what you will be doing with Jesus when He returns? Ezekiel reveals that you’ll be celebrating Passover with Jesus, so by observing it now, you’re preparing for your bridegroom’s return!
I strongly encourage you to celebrate Passover this week if you haven’t already. You will be empowered to stand strong and unshaken in uncertain times as you allow it to draw you into deeper intimacy with God, be an anchor for your soul, and prepare you for your future with Jesus.
