Passover in Christ - Passover Teaching

Passover in Christ - Passover Teaching

This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, possibly delivered by Matthew Vander Els, explores the profound significance of Passover, particularly for believers in Yeshua (Jesus). It delves into the historical context of Passover in the Old Testament, its evolution through time, and its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The teaching emphasizes that for Christians, Passover is no longer merely a remembrance of the ancient Exodus from Egypt, but a celebration of a greater exodus brought about by Jesus – a liberation from the slavery of sin and a reconciliation with God.

The Foundation of Passover

The speaker begins by welcoming the audience to Founded in Truth, describing it as a family and a community founded on truth and love, a place to worship God. The teaching commences with the observance of Shabbat Shalom, leading into the topic of Passover in 2021. It highlights that the Passover meal is a sacred and ancient tradition rooted in the stories of God's redemptive power, where God acted on behalf of his people to redeem, vindicate, save, and free them from captivity.

The tradition of Passover has seen slight evolutions over time, from its observance around the tabernacle and the temple to adjustments made after the Babylonian exile and the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. Despite these changes, it has remained a time to remember the ancient power of God. For believers in Yeshua, however, Passover has gained a new and more powerful meaning over the past two millennia.

Yeshua and the Passover Narrative

The teaching asserts that Jesus, this no-named rabbi from Nazareth, initiated a revolution aimed at the complete restoration of not just mankind but the entire cosmos, and he did so within the framework of the Passover narrative. Jesus utilized Passover as the means to bring about a world-changing reunification of heaven and earth. This might seem confusing because Christians understand that Jesus died for their sins, leading to atonement and communion with God.

The motivation behind this act was not God's wrath but His profound love for the world. The speaker encourages the audience to internalize the truth of God's love, emphasizing its extravagant measure, which led to Him sending His only son so that whoever believes in Him would have eternal life. This eternal life, the teaching suggests, can begin now.

Why Passover, Not Yom Kippur?

A key question addressed is why Jesus, if His mission was to remove sin, did not die on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which is typically associated with the purging of sin. The answer, according to the teaching, lies in the bigger mission of reconciliation of all things, not just a temporary covering of sin. While Yom Kippur, as described in Leviticus 16, removed sin for a time, Passover is fundamentally a story of freedom for captives, a festival celebrating liberation from slavery.

Passover illustrates God's unwavering intervention for His people who are too weak to overcome their oppressors. It's the narrative of a people without the power to rise up being led out of bondage through the blood of another, the lamb. The purpose of Jesus' death was not merely to purge sin, as Yom Kippur did, but to defeat the oppressor that enslaved humanity in the first place – sin. The ultimate issue is the human condition, a heart enslaved to sin, with a tendency towards rebellion and fleshly desires. The solution requires a new creation where sin, as the slave master, is defeated permanently, not just temporarily covered. This is why Jesus chose Passover to demonstrate God's all-healing love for humanity. For Christians, Passover signifies the end of their exile from God.

The Old Testament Context of Exile and Redemption

The teaching revisits the Old Testament narrative, starting with man's communion with God in the Garden of Eden. Humanity's choice of autonomy led to exile from God's wisdom. To restore mankind and defeat evil, God chose the family of Abraham to bring blessing to creation. Their descendants were enslaved in Egypt, but God rescued them through His power, redeeming them and offering reconciliation as His covenant people, tasked with living out His kingdom.

However, Israel again chose autonomy, leading to exile in Babylon. In exile, they cried out to God, remembering their past unity with Him. Prophets like Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah foretold a future, greater Exodus that would liberate mankind from the true enemy – the rebellious human heart. Ezekiel spoke of a heart transplant, replacing a heart of stone with a heart of flesh indwelt by God's Spirit. Jeremiah prophesied about the Holy Spirit inscribing God's wisdom on their hearts. While Israel returned from Babylon, the teaching notes that even then, as recorded by Nehemiah and Ezra, they were still under subjugation, indicating that true redemption was yet to come. This historical backdrop created the expectation for God's ultimate redemption and the arrival of the Messianic King in the first century, the stage upon which Yeshua appeared.

The Last Supper: A New Passover

During the Passover season, Jesus came to Jerusalem, knowing His impending death. The Synoptic Gospels describe His deep desire to share a Passover meal with His disciples, the Last Supper. This final Passover with His disciples involved the traditional elements: bread, wine, and reclining. The Torah outlines five basic commands for Passover: choosing an unblemished lamb, sacrificing it, spreading its blood, eating its flesh with unleavened bread, and remembering it annually. Jesus, during this meal, shifted the focus from the past Exodus to His future suffering and death. He identified the bread and wine as His own body and blood, instructing His disciples to eat and drink in remembrance of Him.

The Invitation to God's Table

The teaching emphasizes the symbolism of the table, representing the environment launched with Jesus and His twelve disciples, who represented the fully regathered twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus' consistent practice of eating with people, even those considered outcasts by religious leaders, highlights God's inclusive invitation. Isaiah 25 speaks of a future banquet hosted by God, where death will be swallowed up, tears wiped away, and all people from every tribe and tongue will be invited to feast with joy. The speaker cautions against making the table set for God exclusive, as God's plan is an inclusive banquet for all.

Application for Everyday Life

• Recognize your personal exodus: Just as the Israelites were freed from physical slavery, acknowledge the freedom Jesus offers from the slavery of sin in your own life.
• Embrace God's extravagant love: Remember the depth of God's love that led Him to send Jesus for your redemption, allowing this love to shape your actions and relationships.
• Find freedom from your oppressors: Identify the things in your life that hold you captive, whether they are sinful habits, negative thought patterns, or worldly attachments, and claim the freedom offered through Jesus' sacrifice.
• Remember Jesus, not just a historical event: When observing communion or reflecting on Jesus' sacrifice, focus on His body and blood as the means of your redemption and the beginning of eternal life.
• Extend the invitation: Reflect on the inclusive nature of God's table and strive to be welcoming and inclusive in your own interactions with others.
• Examine your heart: Before participating in communion or moments of remembrance, take time for introspection and confess any areas of sin or bondage in your life, allowing for deeper gratitude and joy.
• Trust in God's redemption: Like those at the future banquet in Isaiah 25, trust in God's saving power and rejoice in the salvation He has provided through Jesus.

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