- Jan 19, 2024
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Dear Friends in Christ,
As we approach the season of Passover and Easter, we are reminded of the profound connection between these two celebrations and the fulfillment of God's divine plan through Jesus Christ. Passover, a Jewish festival commemorating the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage, carries deep prophetic significance that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
In the Old Testament, we see the first Passover instituted in Exodus 12, where the blood of a lamb on the doorposts protected the Israelites from the angel of death. This event, though deeply significant for Israel, pointed forward to a greater deliverance. The prophet Isaiah, centuries before Christ, spoke of the coming Messiah who would be "led as a lamb to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7). This was not merely a physical deliverance from Egypt, but a spiritual redemption for all mankind.
When Jesus gathered with His disciples to celebrate the Passover meal, He made a powerful statement, which we find in the Gospel of Matthew. He took the bread and the cup, saying, "Take, eat; this is My body. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins'" (Matthew 26:26-28 NKJV). In this moment, Jesus was establishing a new covenant, one not based on the blood of an animal, but on His own sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
As we celebrate Easter, the significance of Jesus' resurrection becomes central to our faith. Easter is not merely a time to reflect on Jesus' death, but on His triumph over death. In John 11:25-26, Jesus Himself declared, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." His resurrection offers the promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him and do God's will as he Himself did.
Christian Easter is distinct in its focus on the resurrection of Christ. While the Jewish Passover remembers the historical deliverance of Israel, Easter celebrates the victory over sin and death, as Jesus' resurrection offers eternal life to all who believe in Him. It is through His sacrifice and resurrection that Christians are spiritually made alive by the gift of the Holy Spirit, just as the Israelites were physically freed from Egypt, but with far greater eternal significance."
The true meaning of Easter, therefore, is not simply about a holiday or a tradition. It is a celebration of the ultimate victory of Christ over sin, death, and the grave. It is the foundation of the Christian faith. As Jesus Himself said in John 14:19, "Because I live, you will live also." This promise of eternal life, made possible through His death and resurrection, is the heart of Easter.
Let us then, this season, reflect not only on the historical events of Passover and Easter but on the deeper spiritual truth they reveal. The sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, and His glorious resurrection are the fulfillment of God's plan for humanity, a plan that began in the Old Testament and was completed in Christ. As we celebrate, let us embrace the life, hope, and freedom that His death and resurrection bring.
The Triumph of the Risen Christ
Upon the morn, the stone rolled far away,
And from the tomb, the risen Christ did rise,
Triumphant o'er the grave, He pierced the day,
To bring us life, through Heaven's wondrous skies.
The Lamb, once slain, now reigns in glory bright,
His sacrifice, the ransom for our sin,
He conquered death, dispelling endless night,
And bids us rise, eternal life to win.
O gracious Lord, whose blood our souls has bought,
In death's dark shade, Thy light of mercy shines,
Now death is vanquished, and our souls are sought,
In Christ alone, we find the life divine.
Through His great love, we live forevermore,
A gift of grace, from Heaven's sacred door.
Blessings, JFF
"The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci
As we approach the season of Passover and Easter, we are reminded of the profound connection between these two celebrations and the fulfillment of God's divine plan through Jesus Christ. Passover, a Jewish festival commemorating the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage, carries deep prophetic significance that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
In the Old Testament, we see the first Passover instituted in Exodus 12, where the blood of a lamb on the doorposts protected the Israelites from the angel of death. This event, though deeply significant for Israel, pointed forward to a greater deliverance. The prophet Isaiah, centuries before Christ, spoke of the coming Messiah who would be "led as a lamb to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7). This was not merely a physical deliverance from Egypt, but a spiritual redemption for all mankind.
When Jesus gathered with His disciples to celebrate the Passover meal, He made a powerful statement, which we find in the Gospel of Matthew. He took the bread and the cup, saying, "Take, eat; this is My body. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins'" (Matthew 26:26-28 NKJV). In this moment, Jesus was establishing a new covenant, one not based on the blood of an animal, but on His own sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
As we celebrate Easter, the significance of Jesus' resurrection becomes central to our faith. Easter is not merely a time to reflect on Jesus' death, but on His triumph over death. In John 11:25-26, Jesus Himself declared, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." His resurrection offers the promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him and do God's will as he Himself did.
Christian Easter is distinct in its focus on the resurrection of Christ. While the Jewish Passover remembers the historical deliverance of Israel, Easter celebrates the victory over sin and death, as Jesus' resurrection offers eternal life to all who believe in Him. It is through His sacrifice and resurrection that Christians are spiritually made alive by the gift of the Holy Spirit, just as the Israelites were physically freed from Egypt, but with far greater eternal significance."
The true meaning of Easter, therefore, is not simply about a holiday or a tradition. It is a celebration of the ultimate victory of Christ over sin, death, and the grave. It is the foundation of the Christian faith. As Jesus Himself said in John 14:19, "Because I live, you will live also." This promise of eternal life, made possible through His death and resurrection, is the heart of Easter.
Let us then, this season, reflect not only on the historical events of Passover and Easter but on the deeper spiritual truth they reveal. The sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, and His glorious resurrection are the fulfillment of God's plan for humanity, a plan that began in the Old Testament and was completed in Christ. As we celebrate, let us embrace the life, hope, and freedom that His death and resurrection bring.
The Triumph of the Risen Christ
Upon the morn, the stone rolled far away,
And from the tomb, the risen Christ did rise,
Triumphant o'er the grave, He pierced the day,
To bring us life, through Heaven's wondrous skies.
The Lamb, once slain, now reigns in glory bright,
His sacrifice, the ransom for our sin,
He conquered death, dispelling endless night,
And bids us rise, eternal life to win.
O gracious Lord, whose blood our souls has bought,
In death's dark shade, Thy light of mercy shines,
Now death is vanquished, and our souls are sought,
In Christ alone, we find the life divine.
Through His great love, we live forevermore,
A gift of grace, from Heaven's sacred door.
Blessings, JFF
"The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci
