Millions of Jews all over the world are preparing to observe the Holy Day, Passover, this coming Friday, April 3rd ... which is, ironically, also the so-called holiday "Good Friday" that millions of Christians will celebrate (but that subject will have to be addressed in another blog.)
Meanwhile, a very small scattering of people will be preparing to do what the real Jesus did ... why? Because He asked us to.
In fact, it is the only "thing" He asked us to do for Him.
He didn't ask us to celebrate His birthday ... and He dang-sure didn't ask us to celebrate the Mass of Christ with the Roman Catholics.
He didn't ask us to celebrate His resurrection ... and He dang-sure didn't ask us to pay pagan homage/respects to the goddess of fertility, Ishtar, either.
He simply asked us to honor, and remember, His death.
"Do THIS in remembrance of me."
That's all ... that's it.
So, anyway, I have been asked by a few people about how to "keep" Passover ... how to observe it, how to prepare for it.
I honestly try to keep it just as Jesus did, and just how He asked us to ... we do not observe the Jewish Passover; we observe it the night BEFORE just like He did.
This is Christ's Passover; not the Jewish Passover ... this is the New Covenant; not the Old.
As far as physical preparations for the actual service, it is really quite simple ... we have a table with a platter of unleavened bread and a bottle of wine with small glasses.
We read all of the scriptures that pertain to this night ... in Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 13, and I Corinthians 11:24-29.
We also wash one another's feet ... just as He commanded us to do ... John 13:1-17 ... and the last thing He said on this very humbling subject of feet-washing was "If you know to do these things, happy are you if you do them."
And, then, we simply sing a hymn and leave ... just as they did ... Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26 ... "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out ....."
We do not fix an elaborate meal on this night ... it is not a festive occasion ... it is more of a reflective, respectful, solemn memorial service.
And, that is where the Spiritual preparations come in ... yes, it is important to Spiritually prepare for this occasion.
The observance should move us forward in the faith, and in the mind, of Jesus Christ ... we should strive to make it a very personal and private occasion.
This is a personal occasion because, not only did Christ die for the sins of all mankind, but He died for YOU ... He personally died for YOU.
This is a private occasion because, if you consider and reflect upon what it took for Jesus Christ to suffer and die for YOUR sins ... well, like I said, that is a very private matter.
Something else that makes it personal, and private, as you Spiritually prepare for this special night is taking the time for retrospection and self-examination of your Life ... realizing that we are made worthy through the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ ... we should look back and reflect on the turns our new life has taken since we made our decision to follow, and OBEY, Him.
And, then ask ourselves, am I still going in the right direction?
I think it is also important to evaluate your relationships and make amends ... make amends with ourselves, and forgive ourselves ... and also make amends with people who have hurt us, and forgive them ... before we take part in this special ceremony.
Why? "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
The Passover is an annual opportunity to "wipe the slate completely clean" again ... start all over ... and so evaluating yourself, and your relationships is a Good, Spiritual preparation ... and a Good, Spiritual time to deal with issues, find closure where needed, and start over with a clean slate and a new understanding.
Observing Christ's Passover deals with the Attitude of Mind ... I think it is important to go into this solemn ceremony with the right Spirit and attitude ... so we are not guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (I Cor 11:27.)
We need to prepare ourselves Spiritually so as to not partake of the service unworthily ... not that anyone is actually "WORTHY" ... but what I mean is, we must recognize we are bad enough to need it, instead of good enough to deserve it ... and the word "unworthily" in this context means to partake of this service arrogantly, disrespectfully and irreverently.
Can you really take Passover worthily? Yes ... examine yourself, and think about what you truly are, and where you truly are in your Life, and repent.
What does repent mean? It means CHANGE.
Meanwhile, a very small scattering of people will be preparing to do what the real Jesus did ... why? Because He asked us to.
In fact, it is the only "thing" He asked us to do for Him.
He didn't ask us to celebrate His birthday ... and He dang-sure didn't ask us to celebrate the Mass of Christ with the Roman Catholics.
He didn't ask us to celebrate His resurrection ... and He dang-sure didn't ask us to pay pagan homage/respects to the goddess of fertility, Ishtar, either.
He simply asked us to honor, and remember, His death.
"Do THIS in remembrance of me."
That's all ... that's it.
So, anyway, I have been asked by a few people about how to "keep" Passover ... how to observe it, how to prepare for it.
I honestly try to keep it just as Jesus did, and just how He asked us to ... we do not observe the Jewish Passover; we observe it the night BEFORE just like He did.
This is Christ's Passover; not the Jewish Passover ... this is the New Covenant; not the Old.
As far as physical preparations for the actual service, it is really quite simple ... we have a table with a platter of unleavened bread and a bottle of wine with small glasses.
We read all of the scriptures that pertain to this night ... in Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 13, and I Corinthians 11:24-29.
We also wash one another's feet ... just as He commanded us to do ... John 13:1-17 ... and the last thing He said on this very humbling subject of feet-washing was "If you know to do these things, happy are you if you do them."
And, then, we simply sing a hymn and leave ... just as they did ... Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26 ... "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out ....."
We do not fix an elaborate meal on this night ... it is not a festive occasion ... it is more of a reflective, respectful, solemn memorial service.
And, that is where the Spiritual preparations come in ... yes, it is important to Spiritually prepare for this occasion.
The observance should move us forward in the faith, and in the mind, of Jesus Christ ... we should strive to make it a very personal and private occasion.
This is a personal occasion because, not only did Christ die for the sins of all mankind, but He died for YOU ... He personally died for YOU.
This is a private occasion because, if you consider and reflect upon what it took for Jesus Christ to suffer and die for YOUR sins ... well, like I said, that is a very private matter.
Something else that makes it personal, and private, as you Spiritually prepare for this special night is taking the time for retrospection and self-examination of your Life ... realizing that we are made worthy through the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ ... we should look back and reflect on the turns our new life has taken since we made our decision to follow, and OBEY, Him.
And, then ask ourselves, am I still going in the right direction?
I think it is also important to evaluate your relationships and make amends ... make amends with ourselves, and forgive ourselves ... and also make amends with people who have hurt us, and forgive them ... before we take part in this special ceremony.
Why? "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
The Passover is an annual opportunity to "wipe the slate completely clean" again ... start all over ... and so evaluating yourself, and your relationships is a Good, Spiritual preparation ... and a Good, Spiritual time to deal with issues, find closure where needed, and start over with a clean slate and a new understanding.
Observing Christ's Passover deals with the Attitude of Mind ... I think it is important to go into this solemn ceremony with the right Spirit and attitude ... so we are not guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (I Cor 11:27.)
We need to prepare ourselves Spiritually so as to not partake of the service unworthily ... not that anyone is actually "WORTHY" ... but what I mean is, we must recognize we are bad enough to need it, instead of good enough to deserve it ... and the word "unworthily" in this context means to partake of this service arrogantly, disrespectfully and irreverently.
Can you really take Passover worthily? Yes ... examine yourself, and think about what you truly are, and where you truly are in your Life, and repent.
What does repent mean? It means CHANGE.
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