Spring Holy Days and the Splitting of Time
Spring is such a beautiful time, with new life budding all around us, and
Passover and Easter observances to remind us of the wondrous gift of new life and
our L-rd, and Passover is a remembrance of G-d's people being freed from slavery, as recorded in the book of Exodus.
Passover split the time line. G-d commanded the year to begin anew (Ex. 12:2). On what we now call Easter, when "Messiah (Christ), our Passover Lamb, (who) has been sacrificed" (1 Cor. 5:7b) rose from the grave, the time line split again, and the world went into AD, Anno Domini, "The Year of Our L-rd." Even non-Christians, who use the expression C.E. (Common Era) must acknowledge that this is the era since the time of Jesus.
Jesus Fulfills and Explains the Passover
Jesus was crucified on Passover. "The Last Supper" was a Passover seder.
A big part of Passover is preparation. A search is made of every room in the home, and all yeast is removed--every crumb. Eating unleavened (without yeast) bread represents the speed of G-d's deliverance of His people Israel from bondage in Egypt (they didn't even have time to allow their bread to rise). It is also a picture of searching our hearts and ridding our lives of sin. "Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Cor. 5:8, NIV)
In the afikomen ("that which comes after") ceremony of Passover, the middle of three flat breads, called matza, is removed, broken, wrapped in linen, and hidden; just as the Body of Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity, was removed, killed, wrapped in linen and buried. Children look for the hidden matza, find it, and restore it, just as Jesus was restored to life. Until the afikomen is restored, the Passover seder cannot continue. Jesus taught about this in Luke 22:19, "He took bread, gave thanks and broke it...saying, 'This is My Body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
Passover in the Coming Kingdom of G-d
Jesus will celebrate Passover again in the Kingdom of G-d with at least some of his followers! Jesus said, "I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." (Mt. 26:29). Isn't that awesome?
Who is this Jesus?
The G-d who commanded the Red Sea to part and allow His people to cross (Ex. 14:21) is the same G-d who commanded the sea to be calm, and the wind and waves obeyed Him (Mk. 4:35-41). The G-d who miraculously fed the multitudes in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4-5) is the same G-d who miraculously fed the multitudes in town (Lk. 9:13-17). The Passover cup of Redemption is the blood of the L-rd Jesus, poured out for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:27-29). Jesus, who raised from the dead on Easter morning, has become "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." (1 Cor. 15:20), paving the way for all in Him to be passed from death unto life.
Should Christians Celebrate Passover or Easter?
It is not commanded for us to keep the Old Testament feast days, or the Christian holy days, but it is not forbidden either. We have freedom in Jesus. "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the L-rd..." (Romans 4:5-6, NIV)
However you choose to observe, or not observe, the holidays this spring, take time to remember the blessed sacrifice of our L-rd Jesus. May you have an altogether lovely and holy season!
Copyright 1997, 2008 Kathryn A. Frazier. Contact author for reprint information.
