Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, The Teacher says, ‘My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.’ ” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover. Matthew 26:17-19
Celebrations. We Americans live for them. Birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Day, Veterans Day, Independence Day, and even the Super Bowl are all faithfully celebrated year after year by those that have a significant reason to commemorate such days. Each celebration is a time to reflect upon the past and look forward to the future. So many memories, so many cherished moments are tied to these events. Certain traditions are held with each one — certain foods, certain people, certain activities — all in the name of what we hold dear.
Jesus celebrated, and right before His death, He shared in a significant celebration of the Passover with the traditions that had defined it for many hundreds of years. But this…. THIS Passover was more intense than any other. It was the last to be faithfully had by binding commandment of the old law to commemorate the Jews deliverance from Egypt. It was Jesus’ last celebration before He was about to turn the world upside down through a despised and shameful death that would change everything. Soon a new covenant would be in order and HE would become the Passover — the deliverance for all people (1 Cor. 5:7). What a compelling time to reflect upon the past and find joy in the knowledge that when the endurance of death was finished, a bright and better future was ahead; a future that will forever be tied to this cherished moment which is to be celebrated all in the name of saving what He held so dear….US!
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Prayer:
My God, thank you for the blessings of celebrations. Thank you that we get to share these moments of joy to commemorate things that are precious to us with our communities, families, and friends. But most of all, thank you that Your children get to celebrate what we hold most dear every Lord’s day with our brethren; that is the death of Your Son for the sake of our deliverance and is our most cherished celebration of all! As I faithfully partake in the tradition of breaking bread, I will reflect upon my past — remembering Your abundant forgiveness and all trials You have brought me through — and look forward to a brighter and better future all in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Truth in love,
Heather
Truth in Love 