January 31- The Passover Picture

January 31, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Exodus 12:14-13:16; Matthew 20:29-21:22;
Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 6:12-15

Exodus 12:14-13:16

Recently it has been reported that Facebook is the largest photo storage site on the planet.  Over 10 billion photos have been uploaded to Facebook.  Why do you think that is?  Well, it could be because human beings love images of themselves. We like to see ourselves and our loved ones.  We want other people to be able to experience us. Pictures represent our emotions and are a physical representation of who we are.  Pictures reveal our relationships. They reflect the people and things that we love.  It's like show and tell without ever having to do the telling part.

God loves pictures, too.  He wants representations of Himself and His emotions out there for the world to see.  That is why He implemented Passover.  God didn't use a camera.  He used a ceremony to picture Himself.  As Exodus 13:16 says,  "It is a visible reminder that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt with great power."

Passover is more than just an event showing God's power to free the Israelites from bondage in Egypt.  It is a picture of how Christ (our Passover Lamb) died for our sins.  Our sin kills the innocent lamb. As we brush the blood of his sacrifice over the doorposts of our life, death passes over us.  We are brought into eternity to live forever with God.  The bitter herbs eaten in the meal of Passover represent our sin.  The bread with no yeast is the body of the Lord, which had no sin in it.  The Israelites were to eat the unleavened bread, just as we partake of the bread of life which is Christ, who knew no sin.  Jesus is our Passover.  This ceremony pictures the Messiah, who would deliver the whole world from the bondage of slavery to sin.

Lesson:  Christ died to free us from sin. 

Have you partaken of Christ?  Have you eaten the unleavened bread of His sinless life, tasted the bitterness of your own sin, and brushed the blood of the sacrificial lamb over the doorposts of your heart?  Have you been set free from the bondage of this world?

Matthew 20:29-21:22

Usually conquering kings would ride into the territory they had conquered on a horse.  The horse is the animal of war.  Horses are uniquely designed to have courage in conflict.  They are also incredibly fast and determined animals.  Donkeys, on the other hand, are slow.  They plod along at their own pace.  They are considered pack animals that can carry the weight of the world. 

Jesus rides into Jerusalem as the King of the Jews on a donkey.  He is carrying the weight of all of the world's sin from past, present, and future on his sinless shoulders.  He comes in peace, offering forgiveness to those who hear his call. Certainly this is a clear picture to the nation of Israel that the Messiah comes in humility to earth before he returns in triumph for his earthly reign. In the book of Revelation Jesus is seen riding a white horse prepared for judgment and war (Revelation 19:11). It will be very different the next time he comes to earth.

But this time as he enters Jerusalem in this humble fashion, he gets a royal welcome.  The common people spread their cloaks and robes on the ground and proclaim, "Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord."  This is a declaration that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah who saves.

Matthew points out that these incidents concerning his triumphal entry, clearing out the Temple, and healing people are all fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies.  Here are the Scriptures fulfilled:

• Isaiah 62:11
• Zechariah 9:9
• Psalm 118:25-26; 148:1
• Isaiah 56:7
• Jeremiah 7:11
• Psalm 8:2

Lesson:  Jesus came the first time in peace. We are in that time of peace. Next time he will come in jugdment.

Have you heard his call?  Do you claim him as Messiah?

Psalm 25:16-22

Rescue me from trouble, O God.

Proverbs 6:12-15

How can you tell who is wicked?  Well, here's some of the things the wicked do... they lie, make signs to friends secretly behind people's backs, plot evil, stir up trouble.  The wicked will be destroyed.

What did you see today?  Why not share?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

P.S.  Congrats!!!! You finished the month of January.  Don't give up now.  The story is just getting going.  Let's see what February will bring to us!