Celebrate Jesus Christ
Rev. Tse Amable | June 30, 2024 | John 13:1-17
KEY VERSE:
“It was just before the PASSOVER FEAST. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.” John 13:1 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
The Passover Feast is one of seven feasts Jehovah commanded the Israelites to celebrate annually. You can find them in Leviticus chapter 23 and some other passages in the Bible. One interesting truth about these festivals is (apart from the Day of Atonement which is fast), they were meant for feasting – eating, drinking and rejoicing. The history behind the Passover is captured in Exodus 12.
OUR GOD LOVES IT WHEN WE COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE IN HIS PRESENCE.
Jesus Christ since his infancy had been celebrating these festivals. In John 7, we read he was at the Feast of Tabernacles. We also know from the scriptures that Jesus Christ celebrated the Passover Feast and ate the last Passover meal with his disciples hours before his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane (see Matthew 26, Mark 14 and Luke 22). It was at this feast that Jesus Christ instituted the Holy Communion to enable us to remember him.
The Feast of the Passover points to Jesus Christ. He is the Supreme Passover Lamb by whose shed blood we were delivered from bondage to Satan. The Bible tells us “CHRIST, OUR PASSOVER LAMB, HAS BEEN SACRIFICED” (1 Corinthians 5:7).
As New Testament believers, we are not under any obligation to celebrate these Old Testament festivals. But we can celebrate Jesus Christ every day. We can celebrate Jesus Christ when we gather around the Communion Table to share in his body which was broken for our deliverance and for his blood which was shed for our redemption.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Meditate on the truth that Jesus Christ was slain as your “Passover Lamb” and find out other reasons you must celebrate Jesus Christ and how you should do it.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings I've received through Jesus Christ, who gave His life for me. Help me live a life that points others to the One who died to set me free from bondage to Satan. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: FEAST The Greek word for "feast" is "ἑορτή" (heortē), referring to a festival or a sacred celebration. It often denotes Jewish religious festivals, such as Passover, which involve communal gatherings and rituals.
In John 13:1, "feast" refers to the Passover, a significant Jewish celebration commemorating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. The timing underscores the impending crucifixion of Jesus, aligning with the sacrificial lamb's symbolism. This context highlights Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice would bring spiritual deliverance.
Reflections:
Consider the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice as the ultimate Passover Lamb. How does this understanding shape your appreciation of Easter and your daily walk with Christ?
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