Monday officially starts the Passover, but seeing this is Sunday and I need to blog now and then I thought I would get an early start. ;-) Christians should really celebrate the Lord’s resurrection on Passover, not Easter. After all, it was the Passover meal He was eating that we call the Last Supper or rather the Last Passover. When we partake of the Lord’s Supper/Table/Communion we are commemorating that meal so it really could be called the Lord’s Passover and maybe should be. He is the Passover lamb as Scripture clearly teaches.
1 Cor 5:7 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: KJV
So how did this Easter thing get started in the first place? There are many beliefs concerning this and really none of the variations really matter. Whether it was tied to pagan holidays or trying to find a common date for the sake of unity is irrelevant. Many councils could decide on a date, but the truth is Christ died as the Passover lamb and that is that. So why should you celebrate the death and Resurrection of the Passover lamb at any other time than on the Passover?
There was a lot of hoopla when it was decided to make Veterans Day a three day weekend and celebrated on the Monday closest to Nov 11th instead of on Nov 11th the actual date of the signing of the Armistice ending WWI. It was a monumental day and to be historically correct it should be celebrated on that day. I can remember being in school and pausing at 11:11 on Nov 11th to commemorate that history. I think it adds more meaning.
My wife and I were married on December 24th compliments of the military. Since most everything is either closed or in chaos that day we often have our anniversary meal out on another day. It is wonderful to celebrate, especially after forty years, but it would be better if we could celebrate on the actual day.
Emperor Constantine and others have misinterpreted Scripture thinking that we could not share anything that was Jewish and it was our duty not to do so because they murdered Christ. First of all, all men crucified Christ for He died for the sins of mankind, not just the Jews. Besides, the Jews could not have done it without the collaboration of the Roman/Gentile Pontius Pilate since the Jews had no authority under Roman rule to execute an person. Thus it is a grave injustice and anti-Semitic to call the Jews Christ killers. Mankind’s sins are the Christ killers.
Since He said that He laid down His life and no man could take it from Him both sides only did what they were allowed to do. He forgave them on the Cross so neither the Jews or Pilate would be accountable for the sins committed related to His crucifixion. That doesn’t mean they did not have to account for any other sins but those related to the crucifixion were forgiven so if they did not have to account for them we have no right to point fingers at either side. Look in the mirror and you will see who sent Christ to the Cross.
Secondly, while we are no longer under the Law that does not mean that we cannot celebrate the Resurrection in the proper historical context. We Gentiles/Goyim do not fully understand the Old Testament/Covenant as do the Jews because we were never a part of that culture and teaching. We can study it and the rituals and feasts but they do not mean as much to us as to a devout Jew. It is history to us and we are thrilled that we are under the New Testament/Covenant. Still, all Scripture was written for us.
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: KJV
Since the Resurrection is tied to the Passover, it would seem fitting that we would delve into all that is related to it and practice it in truth and righteouness under grace not as something demanded by the Law. Messianic Jews see much in the Passover about Christ. Christ In The Passover Seder I believe they are correct and we should follow their lead.
Luke 22:14-15
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: KJV
He was not celebrating Easter. He was celebrating the Passover. Too often we Gentiles forget that the Gospel is a Jewish Gospel.
John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. KJV
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. KJV
Jesus came as a Jew so it makes sense for us to really know Him intimately we should know more about the Passover and celebrate it as He did. Not only would it be more meaningful, but it may also be a witnessing tool to the Jews. Rather than castigating them we could show them grace, love and provoke them to jealousy as God planned that they may come to Christ. Just as Christ was concealed in the Old Testament but revealed in the New so also may we reveal the Gospel concealed in the Passover.
Rom 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. KJV
One day we shall live for a thousand years in a Jewish kingdom where Jesus reigns and David also sits on a throne. Should we not at least show up having practiced something correctly rather than making up a holiday where chocolate bunnies and colored eggs get more attention than Christ? I am sure of it.
Happy Passover, my brothers and sisters in Christ!
Some day in Jerusalem!
Shalom! Maranatha!
