By Allen White
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39
Submitting to God’s will is often the hardest and best thing to do. It’s the hardest thing because we lose the sense of control that we think we have. It’s the best thing because God leads us to things that bring Him glory. It’s not necessarily the easy path, but it is certainly the right path.
The things of God are supernatural. If you take that word apart, it’s beyond-natural. Natural things are easy. Natural things are within our ability and our control. If God only lead us into easy things, we wouldn’t need Him.
But, there is life beyond this life. I’m not just referring to our home in Heaven. There is a supernatural life that God wants every believer to enter into. I’m not talking about the crazy-spooky stuff we see on Christian television. The life God has for us is rich and full and empowered by His Spirit.
We need God’s power, not to make our lives easier, but to accomplish the things God has planned for us. God’s power is not merely to make our problems disappear. God’s power is the strength we find in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Jesus faced a weak, very human moment in the garden. His was not a mere human death. His death was a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Death would be disempowered by resurrection. That wasn’t the issue.
Sin is completely contrary to God’s nature. It’s not a matter of God just disliking sin. Sin is offensive to who God is. Jesus, who never sinned (Hebrews 4:15), was now required to bear the sins of every person, past and future, and pay the price on the cross. Sometimes our own sin is too much to bear. Could you imagine taking on the sins of everyone?
Jesus wasn’t questioning the Father as much as He was being honest about what He was experiencing. In that exchange, He came to accept God’s will. As God, Jesus had accepted His mission by coming to earth in the first place. As a person, made just like us, He came to fully accept what God called Him to.
What is difficult for you to accept in your life? Have you taken this to God? Have you investigated God’s Word? There are things that we shouldn’t put up with. But, there are also difficult things that we must accept. Accepting God’s will is the key to a joyful life.
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Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Emotions Are So Unreasonable
By Allen White
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Matthew 26:36-38
Death is not a normal thing to volunteer for. Jesus spoke of His mission on this earth over and over with His disciples. Jesus knew that the end of His mission would result in death. But, even for our All-Knowing God, Jesus had never personally experienced sin and death. His Divine mission was confronted with a strong human reaction.
Jesus took Peter, James and John, His inner circle, a little further into the garden. He knew that His betrayal would happen sooner rather than later. He asked them to keep watch while He prepared Himself in prayer.
Jesus was overwhelmed. The Son of God, the Master and Creator of the Universe, the Savior of the world was overwhelmed. And, He should have been.
Emotions are just so unreasonable. Our emotions motivate us toward things that defy our logic. Some of us were even taught that emotions were scary or bad or both. But, emotion is a part of who we are.
No one should feel okay at a loved one’s funeral. We should grieve. Everyone should feel overwhelming joy and excitement on their wedding day. And, there are days when the circumstances of our life are completely overwhelming. There’s only one place to go on those days.
Jesus, being fully human and also fully God, was overwhelmed. With His disciples keeping watch, He chose to go by Himself and to connect with the Father. No person would understand His plight. No amount of ranting and raving would cure what ailed Him that day. Only a connection with the One who completely understood Him and His circumstance would help.
Where do you go when you are overwhelmed? Do you escape into a bad habit? Do you go to bed? Do you go ballistic? There is only One Person in your life that can take what you’re dealing with, and it’s also the only Person who will fully understand – your Heavenly Father.
God is not surprised by your circumstance. God wired you to feel what you feel. When you are completely overwhelmed, He completely understands.
What are you feeling overwhelmed by today? It’s time to get alone with the One who understands.
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Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Matthew 26:36-38
Death is not a normal thing to volunteer for. Jesus spoke of His mission on this earth over and over with His disciples. Jesus knew that the end of His mission would result in death. But, even for our All-Knowing God, Jesus had never personally experienced sin and death. His Divine mission was confronted with a strong human reaction.
Jesus took Peter, James and John, His inner circle, a little further into the garden. He knew that His betrayal would happen sooner rather than later. He asked them to keep watch while He prepared Himself in prayer.
Jesus was overwhelmed. The Son of God, the Master and Creator of the Universe, the Savior of the world was overwhelmed. And, He should have been.
Emotions are just so unreasonable. Our emotions motivate us toward things that defy our logic. Some of us were even taught that emotions were scary or bad or both. But, emotion is a part of who we are.
No one should feel okay at a loved one’s funeral. We should grieve. Everyone should feel overwhelming joy and excitement on their wedding day. And, there are days when the circumstances of our life are completely overwhelming. There’s only one place to go on those days.
Jesus, being fully human and also fully God, was overwhelmed. With His disciples keeping watch, He chose to go by Himself and to connect with the Father. No person would understand His plight. No amount of ranting and raving would cure what ailed Him that day. Only a connection with the One who completely understood Him and His circumstance would help.
Where do you go when you are overwhelmed? Do you escape into a bad habit? Do you go to bed? Do you go ballistic? There is only One Person in your life that can take what you’re dealing with, and it’s also the only Person who will fully understand – your Heavenly Father.
God is not surprised by your circumstance. God wired you to feel what you feel. When you are completely overwhelmed, He completely understands.
What are you feeling overwhelmed by today? It’s time to get alone with the One who understands.
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Thursday, April 7, 2011
Turning Wine into Grape Juice
By Allen White
In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter! 1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Often our first reaction to this passage is “Those Corinthians were so terrible. They got drunk when they were supposed to be celebrating communion.” That’s actually not the worst offense.
Jesus turned water into wine, and conservative believers have turned the wine into grape juice. I don’t drink alcohol and that’s my choice. In the first century, wine was served with meals. Let’s just accept that and stop watering it down.
I thank God for the Corinthian church. They messed up on everything. They were confused over communion, groceries (1 Corinthians 8:1-13), spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40), and the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-58). We wouldn’t know what we know today, except for the Corinthians’ mistakes. God bless ‘em.
The drunkenness at their communion was out of line, but what was more out of line were the divisions among them. The wealthy members had plenty to eat and drink and went right on ahead without any regard for anybody else. Other folks didn’t have much of anything to eat. The Corinthians were the haves and the have-nots. This flew in the face of what they were celebrating.
The ground is level at the foot of the cross. No one is more deserving or less deserving of God’s grace. No one is greater or least. How the Corinthians celebrated God’s grace was offensive to Christ’s sacrifice. In God’s eyes, we are equally entitled.
What inequities do you see in the church? Who do you think that you’re better than? Maybe you’re better off financially or intellectually, but none of us is better than anyone else. But, by the grace of God….
When we begin to feel superior to others, we should feel a check in our spirits. When our ego puffs us up to someone bigger than who we really are, we must remember that without Christ we are nothing.
What did you just think about as you were reading these words? What do you need to confess? Pray about it right now.
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In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter! 1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Often our first reaction to this passage is “Those Corinthians were so terrible. They got drunk when they were supposed to be celebrating communion.” That’s actually not the worst offense.
Jesus turned water into wine, and conservative believers have turned the wine into grape juice. I don’t drink alcohol and that’s my choice. In the first century, wine was served with meals. Let’s just accept that and stop watering it down.
I thank God for the Corinthian church. They messed up on everything. They were confused over communion, groceries (1 Corinthians 8:1-13), spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40), and the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-58). We wouldn’t know what we know today, except for the Corinthians’ mistakes. God bless ‘em.
The drunkenness at their communion was out of line, but what was more out of line were the divisions among them. The wealthy members had plenty to eat and drink and went right on ahead without any regard for anybody else. Other folks didn’t have much of anything to eat. The Corinthians were the haves and the have-nots. This flew in the face of what they were celebrating.
The ground is level at the foot of the cross. No one is more deserving or less deserving of God’s grace. No one is greater or least. How the Corinthians celebrated God’s grace was offensive to Christ’s sacrifice. In God’s eyes, we are equally entitled.
What inequities do you see in the church? Who do you think that you’re better than? Maybe you’re better off financially or intellectually, but none of us is better than anyone else. But, by the grace of God….
When we begin to feel superior to others, we should feel a check in our spirits. When our ego puffs us up to someone bigger than who we really are, we must remember that without Christ we are nothing.
What did you just think about as you were reading these words? What do you need to confess? Pray about it right now.
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Wednesday, April 6, 2011
You Are Not Alone
By Allen White
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29
With the common elements of their Passover dinner, Jesus illustrated His sacrifice. He picked up a piece of bread that was unleavened, because the Israelites didn’t have time to allow their bread to rise before their escape from Egypt (Exodus 12:39). He told them, “Take and eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26).
Every time they celebrated the Passover, or ate any bread for that matter, Jesus wanted them to remember His broken body. Just like Jesus’ disciples need daily nutrition, we also need God’s grace. When we eat our toast for breakfast or our sandwich for lunch, Jesus wants us to remember how He has provided for all of our physical and spiritual needs. He paid the ultimate price, so that we don’t have to.
Next Jesus raised His glass and said that it resembled the blood that He would shed to provide a new and better covenant with His people (Hebrews 7:21-22). This time His grace would sustain us in a way that obeying the Law could not (Romans 6:14).
Jesus still expects His followers to obey His commands (John 14:23), but He doesn’t expect us to be perfect. That’s not to make an excuse. “I just sinned in a colossal way and blew out my marriage, oh well, nobody’s perfect.” Give me a break.
Jesus gives us everything that we need to live our lives for Him, if we are willing. As we grow closer to Christ, we desire the things of God – not more religious activity or time in the church building – but when God’s nature begins to become second nature to us, we’re getting it.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a long way to go. Our work is not to try harder and pretend better. Our work is more difficult than that, especially for Type A personalities: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). There are no easy steps to remaining. In fact, there are no steps at all. Jesus has provided all that we need. It’s our job to tap into His provision.
What do you need? What fruit would you like to see accomplished in your life? How well are you connected to the vine? The connection to Christ is the key.
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While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29
With the common elements of their Passover dinner, Jesus illustrated His sacrifice. He picked up a piece of bread that was unleavened, because the Israelites didn’t have time to allow their bread to rise before their escape from Egypt (Exodus 12:39). He told them, “Take and eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26).
Every time they celebrated the Passover, or ate any bread for that matter, Jesus wanted them to remember His broken body. Just like Jesus’ disciples need daily nutrition, we also need God’s grace. When we eat our toast for breakfast or our sandwich for lunch, Jesus wants us to remember how He has provided for all of our physical and spiritual needs. He paid the ultimate price, so that we don’t have to.
Next Jesus raised His glass and said that it resembled the blood that He would shed to provide a new and better covenant with His people (Hebrews 7:21-22). This time His grace would sustain us in a way that obeying the Law could not (Romans 6:14).
Jesus still expects His followers to obey His commands (John 14:23), but He doesn’t expect us to be perfect. That’s not to make an excuse. “I just sinned in a colossal way and blew out my marriage, oh well, nobody’s perfect.” Give me a break.
Jesus gives us everything that we need to live our lives for Him, if we are willing. As we grow closer to Christ, we desire the things of God – not more religious activity or time in the church building – but when God’s nature begins to become second nature to us, we’re getting it.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a long way to go. Our work is not to try harder and pretend better. Our work is more difficult than that, especially for Type A personalities: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). There are no easy steps to remaining. In fact, there are no steps at all. Jesus has provided all that we need. It’s our job to tap into His provision.
What do you need? What fruit would you like to see accomplished in your life? How well are you connected to the vine? The connection to Christ is the key.
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Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Will God Forgive Me for What I’m About to Do?
By Allen White
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”
Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.” Matthew 26:20-25
Judas’ betrayal was no surprise to Jesus (Psalm 41:9). It had been planned long ago. In fact, prophets foretold how much would be paid (Zechariah 11:12), that the money would be thrown in the temple (Zechariah 11:13), and what it would eventually purchase (Zechariah 11:13). Jesus had Judas’ number all right.
Jesus was a Master of bringing his disciples up to speed. Since Judas had so recently agreed to the betrayal (Matthew 26:14-16), he might have even been surprised at Jesus’ knowledge. Jesus wanted His disciples to be prepared for the events that would soon unfold.
God is not surprised by any choice that we make. In fact, while God constantly influences us, if we persist, God will allow us to carry out what we have determined to do – even if it’s to our own detriment.
Could Jesus have prevented Judas from betraying Him? Of course, He could. There is no greater force in the universe than the power of God. Could Jesus have tried to change Judas’ mind? He could have persuaded Judas quite convincingly. But, Jesus knew His mission: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
When Jesus tells Judas, “It would be better for him if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24), He is not cursing Judas for agreeing to the betrayal. Jesus knows the torment that Judas will experience for betraying his Messiah. Jesus wouldn’t want to be in Judas’ shoes. It’s a dangerous thing to be on the wrong side of God.
Will God forgive us for what we’re about to do? God is always willing to forgive us. The question is if after committing the act, would we even be in a place to seek forgiveness?
What are you contemplating today? Do you understand the consequences of your actions? Have you “played the movie forward” and thought through all of the possible outcomes? You certainly don’t want to put yourself in the place where you wished you’d never been born.
While we don’t always understand God’s ways, we do understand that His ways are better than ours (Isaiah 55:9). We also have to understand that often our ways are foolish (Psalm 1:6). As Ed Young, Jr. has said, “You are not what you’re feeling right now.” God thinks far more of you than that.
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When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”
Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.” Matthew 26:20-25
Judas’ betrayal was no surprise to Jesus (Psalm 41:9). It had been planned long ago. In fact, prophets foretold how much would be paid (Zechariah 11:12), that the money would be thrown in the temple (Zechariah 11:13), and what it would eventually purchase (Zechariah 11:13). Jesus had Judas’ number all right.
Jesus was a Master of bringing his disciples up to speed. Since Judas had so recently agreed to the betrayal (Matthew 26:14-16), he might have even been surprised at Jesus’ knowledge. Jesus wanted His disciples to be prepared for the events that would soon unfold.
God is not surprised by any choice that we make. In fact, while God constantly influences us, if we persist, God will allow us to carry out what we have determined to do – even if it’s to our own detriment.
Could Jesus have prevented Judas from betraying Him? Of course, He could. There is no greater force in the universe than the power of God. Could Jesus have tried to change Judas’ mind? He could have persuaded Judas quite convincingly. But, Jesus knew His mission: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
When Jesus tells Judas, “It would be better for him if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24), He is not cursing Judas for agreeing to the betrayal. Jesus knows the torment that Judas will experience for betraying his Messiah. Jesus wouldn’t want to be in Judas’ shoes. It’s a dangerous thing to be on the wrong side of God.
Will God forgive us for what we’re about to do? God is always willing to forgive us. The question is if after committing the act, would we even be in a place to seek forgiveness?
What are you contemplating today? Do you understand the consequences of your actions? Have you “played the movie forward” and thought through all of the possible outcomes? You certainly don’t want to put yourself in the place where you wished you’d never been born.
While we don’t always understand God’s ways, we do understand that His ways are better than ours (Isaiah 55:9). We also have to understand that often our ways are foolish (Psalm 1:6). As Ed Young, Jr. has said, “You are not what you’re feeling right now.” God thinks far more of you than that.
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Monday, April 4, 2011
Connecting with God
By Allen White
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. Matthew 26:17-19
Why would Jesus celebrate Passover? Think about it. Jesus is God. God delivered His people from captivity in Eqypt. By celebrating Passover, Jesus is really celebrating His Own work.
Now, I don’t believe that Jesus celebrated Passover for any kind of selfish reason. But, considering He is God, and Jesus certainly was not subject to the Law, He chose to honor the traditions of His people. His disciples certainly would not have understood the Messiah skipping such an important celebration.
God does much to accommodate us. When we look at the early Church, we see that they met in the temple courts and house to house (Acts 5:42). Where they met was not nearly as important as who they met: God Himself and each other (Hebrews 10:24-25).
They didn’t own any buildings, let alone any elaborate cathedrals or white steeples. There were no electric guitars or Powerpoint presentations in their services. Nothing against these things, but the first church had nothing like this. Yet, God will meet us in our idea of what the church gathered should look like.
That being said, there are other places where God desires to meet us. God desires to meet us in quiet places, just like the places Jesus sought out to be with the Father (Mark 6:46). He is present in a special way when small groups of believers gather together (Matthew 18:20). In fact, His presence is significant every time we recognize it – regardless of where we are.
God wants to sit down and spend time with you. Just like two friends would sit in a coffee shop and talk, God desires to be with you. He delights in you. He has so much that He wants to give you.
God will take whatever five minutes you will quietly give Him. Do you have five minutes right now? Not to sing or talk or read the Bible, but to quietly connect with God. The less you talk, the better.
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On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. Matthew 26:17-19
Why would Jesus celebrate Passover? Think about it. Jesus is God. God delivered His people from captivity in Eqypt. By celebrating Passover, Jesus is really celebrating His Own work.
Now, I don’t believe that Jesus celebrated Passover for any kind of selfish reason. But, considering He is God, and Jesus certainly was not subject to the Law, He chose to honor the traditions of His people. His disciples certainly would not have understood the Messiah skipping such an important celebration.
God does much to accommodate us. When we look at the early Church, we see that they met in the temple courts and house to house (Acts 5:42). Where they met was not nearly as important as who they met: God Himself and each other (Hebrews 10:24-25).
They didn’t own any buildings, let alone any elaborate cathedrals or white steeples. There were no electric guitars or Powerpoint presentations in their services. Nothing against these things, but the first church had nothing like this. Yet, God will meet us in our idea of what the church gathered should look like.
That being said, there are other places where God desires to meet us. God desires to meet us in quiet places, just like the places Jesus sought out to be with the Father (Mark 6:46). He is present in a special way when small groups of believers gather together (Matthew 18:20). In fact, His presence is significant every time we recognize it – regardless of where we are.
God wants to sit down and spend time with you. Just like two friends would sit in a coffee shop and talk, God desires to be with you. He delights in you. He has so much that He wants to give you.
God will take whatever five minutes you will quietly give Him. Do you have five minutes right now? Not to sing or talk or read the Bible, but to quietly connect with God. The less you talk, the better.
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Sunday, April 3, 2011
Was God Just Playing with Them?
By Allen White
This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance. Exodus 12:11-14
The final sequence of events leading to Jesus’ death started the Passover celebration with his disciples. Passover harkens back to the time of Moses and the exodus from Egypt. As a persecuted people, Jewish holidays celebrate God’s protection over and over again throughout time: Passover (Exodus), Purim (Esther), and Yom Kippur (Maccabees). God provided for His people then and will provide for His people again today.
Passover centers on the last of the ten plagues inflicted on the Egyptians. The plagues are a bit curious. After all, frogs, locust, hail – was God just taking creative license? All ten plagues were purposeful in targeting a specific Egyptian god.
The frogs were directed at Heket, the Egyptian goddess of fertility, water and renewal. She was actually represented as a frog, and here we thought that was reserved only for princes.
The locusts were sent to show God’s power over Seth, the Egyptian god of storms and disorder. And, the hail fell to overpower Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the sky. And, the list goes on.
The final plague resulted in the death of the first born son in every family. While the first born son is often the heir, the first born son of the Pharaoh was regarded as divine. The final plague overcame the chief Egyptian deity, the Pharaoh himself.
To protect themselves, the Israelites were given instructions to sacrifice a lamb and paint the doorposts of their house using hyssop as a brush. God provided a way of escape using the blood of the lamb.
Jesus, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29) began His journey to the cross by celebrating Passover with His disciples. He wasn’t kissed by the angel of death, but He was kissed by Judas.
The gods of this age are not tied to natural phenomena like the Egyptians’ gods. The gods of this world are more personal: lust and greed, drunkenness and gluttony, selfishness and pride, anger and hatred. Jesus came to deliver us from all of these false gods.
Which one of these challenges you most directly these days? Which do you struggle to overcome? Do you believe that God is greater than the power of these forces? Ask Him daily to help you overcome.
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This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance. Exodus 12:11-14
The final sequence of events leading to Jesus’ death started the Passover celebration with his disciples. Passover harkens back to the time of Moses and the exodus from Egypt. As a persecuted people, Jewish holidays celebrate God’s protection over and over again throughout time: Passover (Exodus), Purim (Esther), and Yom Kippur (Maccabees). God provided for His people then and will provide for His people again today.
Passover centers on the last of the ten plagues inflicted on the Egyptians. The plagues are a bit curious. After all, frogs, locust, hail – was God just taking creative license? All ten plagues were purposeful in targeting a specific Egyptian god.
The frogs were directed at Heket, the Egyptian goddess of fertility, water and renewal. She was actually represented as a frog, and here we thought that was reserved only for princes.
The final plague resulted in the death of the first born son in every family. While the first born son is often the heir, the first born son of the Pharaoh was regarded as divine. The final plague overcame the chief Egyptian deity, the Pharaoh himself.
To protect themselves, the Israelites were given instructions to sacrifice a lamb and paint the doorposts of their house using hyssop as a brush. God provided a way of escape using the blood of the lamb.
Jesus, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29) began His journey to the cross by celebrating Passover with His disciples. He wasn’t kissed by the angel of death, but He was kissed by Judas.
The gods of this age are not tied to natural phenomena like the Egyptians’ gods. The gods of this world are more personal: lust and greed, drunkenness and gluttony, selfishness and pride, anger and hatred. Jesus came to deliver us from all of these false gods.
Which one of these challenges you most directly these days? Which do you struggle to overcome? Do you believe that God is greater than the power of these forces? Ask Him daily to help you overcome.
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