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Post by nina2 on Mar 27, 2007 5:29:27 GMT -5
Exploring Passover
Tuesday, April 3, 2007 / 15 Nissan, 5767
"Has such a great thing ever been," proclaimed Moses forty years later, "or has the like of it ever been heard? ... Has God ever endeavored to come and take for Himself a nation from the womb of a nation, amidst trials, signs, wonders and battles... as God has done for you in Egypt before your eyes?" (Deuteronomy 4:32-34)
"Several million souls--600,000 adult males, plus the woman and children, and a large "mixed multitude" of non-Hebrews who joined them -- left Egypt on that day, and began the 50-day trek to Sinai and their birth as God's chosen people.
A nation from the womb of a nation. On the 15th of Nissan in the year 2448 from creation (1313 bce), a new entity, the People of Israel, was born, delivered by God "from slavery into freedom, from darkness into a great light, from bondage into redemption."
Seven days later, our rescue from Egypt was complete when the sea split to allow us passage and drowned Pharaoh's armies in its waters.
The eight-day festival of Passover, which straddles these two events, is our annual appointment in time to access the freedom of the Exodus, the faith that made it possible, and the nationhood we thereby gained.
What is freedom and how is it achieved? What is "faith" and how does it contrast/complement the rational and experiential aspects of our lives? What makes a "people", and why should we need and/or desire to belong to one?
How do the various Passover observances -- the Passover offering, the prohibition against chametz (leaven), the three matzahs and the four cups of wine, etc. -- access and facilitate our faith, freedom and identity as individual Jews and members of the community of Israel?"
"...Thus on the latter days of Passover, our transcendence of time enters a new, heightened phase: it is one thing to vitalize memory to the point of actual re-experience, but quite another to make real an event that lies in the future, especially an event that has no parallel in the history of man.
Yet in the closing hours of Passover, we enter into the world of Moshiach. Having vaulted over millennia of past on the seder nights, we now surmount the blank wall of future, to taste the matzah and wine of the ultimate redemption."
That's the Passover that the apostles experienced with Jesus, the Messiah, and all who believe. It is done.
And we are:
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light
Are we "living" it?
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Post by ybrown on Mar 27, 2007 8:55:27 GMT -5
Yes! Everyday. The Lord is the Sabbath, the Passover, the Day of Atonement, etc. All of the holydays point to Christ. All of these days and celebrations are found in Him. |
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Post by nina2 on Mar 27, 2007 10:38:00 GMT -5
Amen. All those things that the apostle says we are, originally were exclusively for the Jews. The reason for my question was do those "attributes" really speak to us daily? How does it translate daily into our lives if we are not always aware of it? And, not only individually, but most of all as His body? The Jews, observant or not, cannot forget or ignore who they are. And I am not saying that we do. Do we lack teaching, awareness, specifically on those? And, in the process, does that prevent greater power and glory to be manifested?  |
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Post by ybrown on Mar 27, 2007 13:55:17 GMT -5
I love the way you spoke that, Nina!
What physical Israel received from God in the form of blessings and the knowing that they were a called out people, was to serve as an ensample to us. What physical Israel got was a mere shadow of the real deal that we are heirs to in Christ.
The ironic part about all of this is that spiritualized Christians will envy physical Jews for what they perceive are their blessings and position with God, not recognizing that they themslves possess the true blessing in the Messiah of those very Jews that they envy.
Some of us boldly proclaim that we are in Christ, but we don't truly believe it. Until we do we'll never partake of the rest in the true Sabbath and the freedom only found in the true Passover.
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Post by nina2 on Mar 27, 2007 14:46:28 GMT -5
To what would you attribute that? (seems like I am having an "attribute" day...  ) |
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Post by Beck on Mar 30, 2007 10:21:56 GMT -5
Victory!
I think you can attibute it to many things Nina. Lack of sound teaching, lack of prayer life, lack of understanding, lack of a relationship with God. I believe that if you never apply the word, you will never experience the word to the degree that God desires. One of the main things that spoke to me in that article you gave was the word faith.. and the point that you made about the jews observant or not THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE.. Christians struggle with the indentity of a redeemed people because they know nothing about the redeemer outside of the "Gods got a blessing for you" or the "its your season for a miracle" messages that we hear constantly when it comes to the nature of God. Im going to stop right here because I feel myself getting worked up..lol.
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Post by keita on Mar 30, 2007 13:03:07 GMT -5
...Im going to stop right here because I feel myself getting worked up..lol. HALLELUJAH for that "worked up"! "Lek leka" (Go Forth) my brother! To what would you attribute that? (seems like I am having an "attribute" day... ) I know that, for me, the answer had a lot to do with confessing and believing Christ...but not knowing "Jesus". |
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Post by MsKayLander on Mar 31, 2007 14:10:09 GMT -5
And being religious, but not have a relationship....
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Post by stillfocused on Apr 2, 2007 16:31:38 GMT -5
As of late, I have begun to take another look at we Christianity..and I have to realize we're are totally off base. I honestly, feel that in our Western culture we don't really understand that what it cost Jesus to hang on that cross. Even though he was the Word and was with God; he took on something that many of us; would not. He became as man and knew his purpose in coming to earth..yet, after his death..it his death and resurrection that drew men to Him; and not to anyone else. I agree, with Elder Beck..the teaching we get is off; because we truly don't want to die to what we know, who are, and what we have become.
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Post by giantsdodie on Apr 2, 2007 16:58:55 GMT -5
As of late, I have begun to take another look at we Christianity..and I have to realize we're are totally off base. I honestly, feel that in our Western culture we don't really understand that what it cost Jesus to hang on that cross. Even though he was the Word and was with God; he took on something that many of us; would not. He became as man and knew his purpose in coming to earth..yet, after his death..it his death and resurrection that drew men to Him; and not to anyone else. I agree, with Elder Beck..the teaching we get is off; because we truly don't want to die to what we know, who are, and what we have become. I must say I disagree with this statement on some levels There are a great many people who understand perfectly well what it cost Jesus to hang on the cross. Relationship with Jesus is individual and personal. I have seen people sit under GREAT teaching and still fall short. The problem isnt just the teaching. Its the application of that teaching. Also if we expect to learn everything we need from a once a week bible study and a few hours in service once or twice a week, the the fault lies not within the teachers but withing ourselves. |
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Apr 3, 2007 12:02:07 GMT -5
As of late, I have begun to take another look at we Christianity..and I have to realize we're are totally off base. I honestly, feel that in our Western culture we don't really understand that what it cost Jesus to hang on that cross. Even though he was the Word and was with God; he took on something that many of us; would not. He became as man and knew his purpose in coming to earth..yet, after his death..it his death and resurrection that drew men to Him; and not to anyone else. I agree, with Elder Beck..the teaching we get is off; because we truly don't want to die to what we know, who are, and what we have become. I must say I disagree with this statement on some levels There are a great many people who understand perfectly well what it cost Jesus to hang on the cross. Relationship with Jesus is individual and personal. I have seen people sit under GREAT teaching and still fall short. The problem isnt just the teaching. Its the application of that teaching. Also if we expect to learn everything we need from a once a week bible study and a few hours in service once or twice a week, the the fault lies not within the teachers but withing ourselves. Amen! |
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Post by keita on Apr 3, 2007 12:46:00 GMT -5
I love the way you spoke that, Nina!
What physical Israel received from God in the form of blessings and the knowing that they were a called out people, was to serve as an ensample to us. What physical Israel got was a mere shadow of the real deal that we are heirs to in Christ.
The ironic part about all of this is that spiritualized Christians will envy physical Jews for what they perceive are their blessings and position with God, not recognizing that they themslves possess the true blessing in the Messiah of those very Jews that they envy.
But as prophetic people, have you ever found yourself "hard-wired" for many things "Jewish" -- almost jealous about the deep roots and history of the Jews?
All Scripture (and the requirements -- whether Old Testament or New Covenant) are prophetic pictures pointing to the face of God.
Though we, as New Covenant believers, are NOT under the law, we heartily recognize that the Law is a tutor that leads us to Christ..."----Steve ShultzI appreciate that which celebrates and connects us to the Jewish heritage because it is also our heritage as believers in Christ! I not only want ALL of my inheritance, I want to more fully understand what I've inherited. In this case, for example: Passover (Pesach)
Exodus 12:2-11 and Leviticus 23 Historically, Passover marks the national liberation of the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery. Pesach, the Hebrew name of the feast literally means "the lamb". God instructed each family to take an unblemished year-old male lamb to their home on the tenth day of the first month. They were to examine the lamb for four days to see that it was perfect. On the fourth day at twilight, they were to kill the lamb and take some of the lamb’s blood and place it on the two doorposts and the lintel of their house. On the first Passover, the avenging angel of God killed every first born male throughout the land, from Pharaoh, to slave, to camel. The angel would "Passover" those homes that protected themselves by placing the blood of a lamb on their doorposts and lintels. Fulfillment of Passover by Yeshua -- The Passover Lamb"...For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" -- 1 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV).
"...Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers..." -- Isaiah 53:7.
"Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" -- John 1:29.Procession of the LambWhen Israel had a Temple, in addition to the lamb for each household, a lamb was chosen to die for the sins of the entire nation. On the 10th of Nisan, it was lead in a huge procession from Bethany to the Temple. During the procession, the people waved Palm branches and sang Psalms, including: "O Lord save us (Hosanna)... Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" -- Psalm 118:25-26 (NIV). Yeshua rode into the city to the Temple on the same day (Nisan 10) as the procession of the lamb chosen to die for the sins of the nation. By doing this, He was proclaiming Himself to be "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" -- John 1:29. As Yeshua passed, the people shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" -- Matthew 21:9 (NIV). Yeshua, the Passover Lamb ExaminedJust as the Passover lamb was examined for four days prior to Passover, so Yeshua entered the Temple and was examined for four days prior to Passover by the Sadducees and the Pharisees. "On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Him and questioned Him..." -- Matthew 22:23-33"Then the Pharisees went and counseled together how they might trap Him in word what He said." -- Matthew 22:15-22 Lambs Prepared for SacrificeYeshua was prepared for sacrifice and beaten on the morning of Passover, just as a lamb to be sacrificed in the Temple was prepared on Passover morning. "Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Yeshua to put Him to death and they bound Him, and led Him away..." -- Matthew 27:1
"...after having Jesus scourged, he delivered Him to be crucified." -- Matthew 27:26Lambs Slain "Between the Evenings"Yeshua was slain at the same time the unblemished lamb was slain on Passover. According to God's instructions the Passover lamb had to be slain "between the evenings" (Exodus 12:6). Yeshua gave up His spirit at the exact time the lambs were to be killed -- the ninth hour. "Between the evenings" and "the ninth hour" are based on the manner by which the Temple priests calculated time. Both refer to the same time -- three o'clock in the afternoon. "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice,..." -- Matthew 27:46
"And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit." -- Matthew 27:50That Yeshua died in just three hours is incredible. Typically, death by crucifixion took three days. The Romans were experts at crucifixion. They wanted the crucified person to live in agony for days, while frightened friends, relatives and travelers stared in horror. Yeshua, a strong young man should not have died so quickly. He died at three in the afternoon to keep a Divine Appointment! In short, Yeshua completely fulfilled the Passover events with exact timing as shown in this Table:  Now, I don't need to know any of that to be saved and go to heaven. Still, it certainly does deepen our understanding, and we are edified. |
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Post by stillfocused on Apr 3, 2007 14:10:13 GMT -5
Giants..I agree with everything you wrote. It is a personal relationship..yet, as you have mentioned many don't read their Bibles Sunday - Saturday and attend church on Sunday to get a Word that may hold them over until Sunday. I didn't mean to change the topic..sorry about that !! I am not knocking the teaching or leaders...I just believe that if one digs deeper to find out what these celebrations mean, and their significance then we will have a better understanding of why we believe and why we do what we do.
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Post by keita on Apr 3, 2007 14:51:25 GMT -5
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Post by keita on Apr 3, 2007 15:59:48 GMT -5
As of late, I have begun to take another look at we Christianity..and I have to realize we're are totally off base. I honestly, feel that in our Western culture we don't really understand that what it cost Jesus to hang on that cross. Even though he was the Word and was with God; he took on something that many of us; would not. He became as man and knew his purpose in coming to earth..yet, after his death..it his death and resurrection that drew men to Him; and not to anyone else. I agree, with Elder Beck..the teaching we get is off; because we truly don't want to die to what we know, who are, and what we have become. I must disagree with you about the number among us who have attained that perfect understanding. Certainly, there may be some and there may even be many, but imho and experience, "a great many" may be stretching....for now.  Indeed it is! But at the same time, any relationship with Christ is by nature (and the presence and purpose of Jesus' blood sacrifice), first and foremost a covenantal one. I agree with you that we can be in the presence of bread and still manage to starve to death. And no, the problem isn't " just the teaching" and application is definitely critical. But if the teaching is off (faulty, false, incomplete, etc.), applying it won't change a thing. I absolutely agree with you that minimal input will produce minimal results. Certainly, both preachers/teachers and hearers bear a responsibility. But, scripturally speaking, those who teach clearly have an accountability level that is quite different, and intrinsically higher than that of the hearers. As a teacher, it bothers me greatly when we try to (over)shift that particular responsibility and accountability onto those who listen to us. God knows I'm all for believers reading their bibles more, if indeed they have one and are literate. But even more, I am deeply appreciative of and recognize the historical, spiritual and practical significance of Romans 10 and its statements like: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (v. 17) I didn't mean to change the topic..sorry about that !! LOL! I didn't think you changed it at all. I so agree with you about that! Check this out: The One New Man Network "The One New Man Network is an outlet for like-minded ministries, both Jew and Gentile, to gather together and teach the message of the one new man. The one new man is not simply a way of thought or doctrinal belief but rather a revelation of covenant that takes us deep into covenant restoration. Christians have an inheritance in their faith, an inheritance of covenant. The One New Man Network is a vessel that we hope will reveal, restore, and renew.
In Ephesians 2:22 it is said that, “…in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” We believe that The One New Man Network well serve as a bridge to build us together and therefore create an abiding place for His Spirit.
As Believers walk together in unity and in understanding we will be empowered and truly live in revelation and restoration. The world is in need of empowered Believers…who not only know their heritage but live it.
The One New Man Network is hosted by House of David which is a ministry as well as a congregation of Jewish and Gentile Believers that are a living example of the Gospel ideal: both Jew and Gentile united as the One New Man in Christ, according to Ephesians 2:15." www.houseofdavid.us/onenewman.html |
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