BLESSED REDEMPTION: THE PASSOVER – A MEMORIAL OF REDEMPTION!
“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. FOR EVEN CHRIST OUR PASSOVER IS SACRIFICED FOR US: 8 therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the UNLEAVENED BREAD of sincerity and truth” 1 Corinthians 5:6-8.
The is the very simple reason to celebrate and commemorate the crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and enthronement of our risen Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. The PASSOVER feast was instituted by God but first celebrated or observed in Egypt. And it’s done as an act of faith and faithfulness towards God for the deliverance of Israelites (Hebrews 11:24-29; Exodus 12:1-36), to MARK and ENACT the people of God’s deliverance from the bondage of slavery into their promised blessing.
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD. 4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after PASSOVER” Acts 12:1-5/NKJV.
PASSOVER was a divine contact and ORDINANCE for deliverance, victory, protection, peace, restoration and covenant to set His people free from Egypt, a place of bondage, suffering, death, torture, rigour and absolute hopelessness (Exodus 1:1-22). It was a foreshadow of what Christ has done for us now, as the PASSOVER Lamb sacrifice – crucified – for our REDEMPTION from the clutches and bondage of darkness into His marvellous light (Colossians 1:13-14; Galatians 1:3-5).
That’s the essence of the communion services that’s been held as often as allowable to be made happen. Jesus’ recall and instituted it again with His disciples. Ensuring that it becomes MEMORIAL – Memorable. Hence, the PASSOVER is the MEMORIAL of our REDEMPTION. Amen.
Genuine Bible love can be known by its outworking, as seen in Scriptures:
“By this we KNOW love, because He LAID down His life for us. And we also ought to LAY down our lives for the brethren” 1 John 3:16.
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 GREATER love hath no man than this, that a man LAY DOWN his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” John 15:12-14.
PASSOVER is expressing the genuine Bible LOVE – Laying your life down for the good of others as Jesus did.
SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:
“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. FOR EVEN CHRIST OUR PASSOVER IS SACRIFICED FOR US: 8 therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” 1 Corinthians 5:6-8.
“Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the PASSOVER must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat. 9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the PASSOVER with my disciples? 12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover. 14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, with desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: 16 for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 for I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is MY BODY which is given for you: this do in REMEMBRANCE of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the NEW TESTAMENT in MY BLOOD, which is shed for you” Luke 22:7-20
Further Scriptural Reading: Exodus 12:14-28. Acts 12:1-4; 1 Corinthians 10:16-18; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; 1 Peter 1:18-21.
SUMMARY:
The message explores the significance of the Passover and its connection to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, emphasising the importance of commemorating His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and enthronement.
Key Points:
- Passover: A Memorial of Redemption: The Passover was instituted by God to commemorate Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-36). It foreshadowed Christ’s sacrifice as the Passover Lamb, securing redemption from sin and bondage (Colossians 1:13-14, Galatians 1:3-5).
- Christ, Our Passover: Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover, sacrificed for our redemption (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). His sacrifice brings deliverance from darkness, sin, and bondage.
- Unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth: Believers are called to “keep the feast” with unleavened bread, symbolising sincerity and truth, purging malice and wickedness (1 Corinthians 5:8).
- Genuine Bible Love: True love is demonstrated by laying down one’s life for others, as Jesus did (1 John 3:16, John 15:12-14). Passover represents this love, calling believers to love and serve others selflessly.
- Communion: A Memorial: Jesus instituted communion (Luke 22:7-20) as a memorial of His sacrifice, reminding believers of their redemption and calling them to live in sincerity, truth, and love.
The message encourages reflection on the significance of Christ’s sacrifice and the call to demonstrate genuine Bible love in daily life.
REV. CHUKIE MORSI
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