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BY
JAMES MALM
Perhaps the most important page on this site is the ETERNAL IS GOD page. I strongly recommend reading
that page as well as the SABBATH, the COVENANTS, MARRIAGE and the SPRING FESTIVAL pages before studying this page.
They will provide a very good foundation for this material. This page covers what we do during the PASSOVER service,
with some explanations. The Bible is full of material on this subject and I would urge all to undertake some serious
personal study. The actual taking of the unleavened bread and wine during this PASSOVER service should only be done
by truly committed, baptized persons and then only after self examination and repentance.
For further explanation
of the PASSOVER and the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the SPRING FESTIVAL page should be read. The Festival of Unleavened
Bread begins as the PASSOVER day ends and lasts for seven days during which no leavened products are eaten. The first
and seventh days of this Festival are Holy days, during which no servile work (WORK OF ANY KIND, Strong's Concordance
5656 abodaw') may be done. The PASSOVER day is actually a preparation day for the First Holy Day Mark 15:42. The
removal of all leaven, all cooking and all other preparations for the Holy Day should be completed before the evening,
ending the PASSOVER day Exodus 12:15-20. On annual Holy Days, including the first and seventh days of Unleavened Bread, we
may eat food which has been previously prepared and we may do those things that would normally be done on the Sabbath.
See the SABBATH page. The very fact that the PASSOVER is a preparation for the Holy Day of Unleavened Bread, reveals
the fact that the wages of sin must be paid before we can be empowered by the Holy Spirit to turn away from sin. As
Israel went out from Egypt, AFTER the PASSOVER day, on the First Holy Day, so we may begin the journey away from sin only,
AFTER the PASSOVER sacrifice of Christ has been applied to us.
EXODUS chapter one
to thirteen, describes the plight of Israel in Egypt and the events leading to their deliverance. Exodus chapter twelve
covers the ordinance of the PASSOVER. The picture here is one of a people in grievous bondage which they are unable
to escape by their own efforts. They are calling out to God for deliverance and He hears their cries.
The
first question is; Why does He hear the cries of Israel and will not hear the cries of others in bondage? It is because
he wants to make an example of Israel, so that others may follow. 1 Cor 10:11. He has chosen Israel to be this
example because of His promises to His friend Abraham Gen 22:15-18.
So we find Israel in hard bondage. This
is typical of all those who find themselves in the hard bondage of sin. As Israel could not deliver herself, so we cannot
deliver ourselves. For the wages of sin is death Rom 6:23; And those wages must be paid. God delivered Israel
by many miracles, the final miracle which caused Israel to be set free was the PASSOVER. Even so, it takes many miracles
to deliver us from the burden of sin and the debt of our lives which must be paid. The final miracle which pays
this debt and frees us from all past repented sins is the PASSOVER of the New Covenant.
In Israel, a lamb was chosen
on the tenth day of the first month. This lamb was to live with it's family until the beginning of the fourteenth
day. Immediately after sunset ending the thirteenth day, the lamb was to be killed and some of it's blood was to
be placed on the two door posts and the lintel of the door to each household, before midnight. At MIDNIGHT the destroyer
came through the land and killed all the firstborn of man and beast, PASSING OVER those households with blood on their doorposts.
Jesus Christ is our PASSOVER sacrificed for us 1 Cor 5:7. With His death He made atonement for us, paying the
debt, the penalty that we owed for our law breaking, for our sin. For sin is the transgression of the law 1 Joh 3:4.
The list of our sins, the laws that we had broken, the list of transgressions that were against us was nailed to the
cross Col 2:14. Christ taking upon Himself the sins of the world that the world might be made free from sin 1 Joh 2:2.
It should be self evident that the life of a lamb could not be worth the life of a man. The token of a lamb's blood
on the doorposts of Israel was only symbolic of the need for a better sacrifice. The first PASSOVER in Egypt was only
a type or example of the New Covenant PASSOVER sacrifice of the Creator of mankind for His creation John 1:1-5.
Jesus
ate the PASSOVER with His disciples after sunset ending the thirteenth day, at the beginning of the fourteenth day Mat
26, Mk 14, Luk 22 and John 12-18. At His last PASSOVER in the flesh, knowing that He would be sacrificed for the sins of the
world, in a few hours on PASSOVER day, Jesus gave His disciples guidance and instruction. Each year, it is right and
correct that we remember what He has done for us and review His words on that occasion.
At the end of the PASSOVER
meal, Jesus girded Himself and washed the disciples feet. Please read all of John 13:1-17. It is the custom of
the Church of God to follow the example of our Lord and wash each other's feet at the PASSOVER Service. This is
an act of humility as some suppose, but it is also an act of SERVICE as Jesus Himself has declared John 13:12-17. Demonstrating,
once again by example that he who desires to be great in the Kingdom of God must become the greatest servant Mat 20:25-27,
Mat 23:11-12.
REGRETFULLY, in some Church of God Groups, the ministers wash each other's
feet while the members wash each other's feet. This loses sight of the example of Jesus Christ who washed the feet
of His disciples. By refusing to wash a member's feet, they are demonstrating arrogance and not humility, for they
are saying that they will not serve those that they consider beneath them. To follow the example of Christ, they must
show themselves humble and ready to serve all peoples, not just those they consider their superiors or equals. I have
known of certain members who make a point of seeking out those they feel that they have had a problem with and to wash their
feet, using this occasion to humble themselves and seek reconciliation. I declare to you that such an act is far more
noble than someone seeking out his peer to make some show of false humility.
After the footwashing, we will
take, bless and eat a small amount of unleavened bread Mat 26:26 as a symbol of the body of Christ which was beaten, although
not one bone was broken, before His crucifixion. It is also a symbol of Jesus Christ as the Bread of life John
6:31-38. This is analogous to the meat or grain offering which was to accompany sacrifices. It shows that we MUST
take Jesus Christ into ourselves, we Must allow Him to dwell in us through His Spirit, we MUST act like Him and become like
Him 1 Cor 3:16, 1 Joh 2:6, 2 Cor 5:15-17.
Then is the blessing and taking of a small amount of wine Mat 26:27-28.
This represents the shed blood of Christ, the draining out of His life in service and sacrifice for His creation. This
is the blood of the New Covenant which pays the price, pays the penalty, for repentant sinners and their sins. No sinner
may enter into the marriage covenant with Christ. By atoning for repented sin, Jesus Christ has made it possible for
all past sins to be forgiven, making us free from sin and enabling us to enter into the New Marriage Covenant with Him.
Please read the COVENANTS page for more on this miracle.
When a debt that we owe is paid, that does not mean that
we are free from having to pay for any other future debt that we may incur. When we break a law and pay a penalty, that
does not mean that we are now free to break all laws at will, in future. Christ's PASSOVER sacrifice pays for sins REPENTED
of, His sacrifice DOES NOT JUSTIFY continuing in sin. If we continue in breaking God's law, we continue to deserve
and must still pay, the penalty for such law breaking. GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED, NOR WILL HE ALLOW US TO MAKE A MOCKERY
OF THE SACRIFICE OF HIS BELOVED SON. How then can we turn from sin; Through the power of the Holy Spirit of Almighty
God and His Christ 2 Ti 1:7.
After these things we read through the words spoken by Christ at His last PASSOVER
in the flesh in John 13:18 to John 18 and then through to the end. It is VERY IMPORTANT to not just read these words
for the simple sake of reading them. We should think about what we are reading and try to understand what He is telling
us. Pray about these things and ask for understanding. Make yourself worthy to observe this occasion through repentance.
PRACTICAL MATTERS
The Unleavened Bread taken at PASSOVER is a representation of our Lord Jesus Christ the
Bread of life. It should be a fitting symbol of the perfection that is Christ. Absolutely NO leavening agent of
any kind should be used. If pure stone ground whole grain flour is not available at your market, it can usually be purchased
at your local HEALTH store. They will often have the whole grains on hand and will grind it for you right on the premises. If
you live in a part of the world where a harvest is taking place, be careful that the flour is not from the new harvest.
The reason will become clear as we begin the Pentecost study. This bread is simple to make. Take about 1 cup of
flour and add about 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil and salt to taste (sea salt is purest). Then add pure water until
you have a dough like a pie dough. Roll it out like pie crust and bake at about 375 degrees for ten or fifteen minutes
until done. Make in different size pieces as it suites you and experiment a few times to adjust the salt, oil ect to
your liking.
Why stone ground flour? When flour is milled the germ and bran are removed. This is done
by sifting since these parts are much larger than the white starch. Milled flour that is called whole wheat flour, simply
has these ingredients added back into the flour. If you try to sift such flour you will find that the bran will not
pass through your sifter. While this type of milled flour is called whole wheat, many of it's nutrients have been
damaged during this process. When flour is stone ground, all parts of the grain are ground down into the SAME SIZE,
meaning that it can be sifted. Nothing is removed and then added back, so that the proper perportion of all nutrients
remains, just as God intended. No damage is done to the nutrients and the bran and germ being ground down into a fine
size makes the cooked item less course and easier on the stomach.
The wine, which is representing blood should
be red and of a good quality. It should be a grape wine and not some fruit or ethanol based product and with as few
added chemicals as possible.
An appropiate amount of bread and number of wine glasses should be made ready in advance
of the service. You need not use the whole bottle of wine or the whole batch of bread. Only that portion that
is blessed is sanctified for the service.
The term LEAVEN, refers to any cooking or baking YEAST. It
also refers to artificial yeast substitutes such as BAKING POWDER, which were invented to replace yeasts. Baking Soda
is NOT a leavening agent, until it is mixed with moisture and an acid. Therefore, soda in toothpaste or some other product,
not containing acid and not intended for cooking, is NOT leaven. While eggs are not a leavening agent, to beat them
to purposely incorporate air so that they act as a leavening agent, puffing up the product being cooked, is definitely wrong.
It breaks the spirit of the law and amounts to trying to get as close as possible to breaking the commandment, while technically
keeping the letter of the law.
The PASSOVER service should take place after sunset ending the thirteenth and beginning
the fourteenth day of the first month of the Biblical year. It would be entirely appropiate to hold another service
during the day, or perhaps a family meeting to discuss the events that happened in Egypt and the events of Christ's sacrifice
in more detail. Indeed, God commands that we diligently teach our children these things. It is often true that
in teaching, the teacher also learns much. As parents we learn leadership, partly by leading our families.
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BY KENNETH HOECK The
Passover in Scripture: [This is a memorial day. It is not one of the "annual
Sabbaths" as work is not prohibited.] Leviticus 23:5 "In the fourteenth
day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover." The Passover:
After being set aside on the 10th day and examined by the religious leaders, the spotless lamb (of the first year) was
sacrificed, on 14th day of the first month of the year, to redeem the first-born of Israel providing deliverance from certain
death [Ex 12]. Those houses that bore the blood of the lamb were passed over by the death angel [Ex 12:23]. Joshua
led the people into the Land in Joshua 4:19 on the 10th of the month (setting aside of the Lamb) and circumcised the children
of Israel [Josh 5]; Moses, representing the law, could not lead the people into the promised land, but Joshua ("Joshua"
means Salvation and is the Hebrew form of the name "Jesus") the son of Nun ("Nun" means "eternal")
led them in. This antetype shows that the law couldn't save us (lead us into the promised land) but Jesus, the Son of
the Eternal, can and He circumcises our hearts and leads us in. Compare the other types:
Christ, the sinless Lamb of God [John 1:29,36], was sacrificed for our sins on 14th of the month (Passover) [I Cor 5:7].
He is the First-born of many brothers [Rom. 8:29], provides deliverance from "the second death" for the first
born of the church [Rev 20:6] who have the blood of Christ covering them [I Cor 10:16; I Pet 1:18,19; Rev 1:5]; Jesus
also was examined by the religious leaders and was found without blemish [Luke 23:14,15, 22]. Passover may be viewed as an
ante-type of the Day of Atonement except only the "firstborn" (first resurrection) are atoned for at this time.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread in Scripture: [The first and last days of this feast
are "annual Sabbaths"] Leviticus 23:6-9 "And on the fifteenth day
of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day
ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the
LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. And the LORD spake unto Moses,
saying, ...." Feast of Unleavened Bread: Israel's exodus from
bondage of Egypt; they had to sanctify the firstborn and all had to put out all leaven and eat unleavened bread [Ex 13:1-10];
came to a point later where they had to be 'baptized' under the waters of the Red Sea [Ex 14; I Cor 10:1,2], then
continue in the leaving behind of the lifestyles they had in Egypt. We notice and compare that Jesus is the "Bread of
Life" [John 6:35, 48, 51] without sin [leaven]. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which in Hebrew, means house of bread. The
believers in Christ that take the Passover should then be unleavened [Matt 26:17, I Cor 5:7-8]. The Gospels and Epistles
also admonish us numerous times to sin no more and to be perfect. The WaveSheaf [Elevation Sheaf]
in Scripture: [This is not an actual 'holyday' but it ties the Passover/Days of Unleavened bread with
Pentecost.] Leviticus 23:10-12 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye
be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits
of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after
the sabbath the priest shall wave it. And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the
first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD. Wavesheaf: The First cut sheaf
of the first fruit harvest cycle is elevated [Lev 23:10] on the morrow after the weekly Sabbath that occurs during the Feast
of Unleavened Bread. Compare to the elevation into the presence of the Father of the resurrected Messiah [John 20:17] , the
First of the Firstfruits [I Cor 15:20,23], who was also risen to the Father on the morrow after the weekly Sabbath that occurs during
the Days of Unleavened Bread. [John 20:1,19; Mark 16:19] ------------------------------------------------- Old
Testament Prophecies and New Testament Parallels Regarding The Messiah's Death Betrayed
by a friend: Psalms 55:12-14, 21 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither
was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man
mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company .
. . . The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were
they drawn swords. Psalms 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread,
hath lifted up his heel against me.John 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the
scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Luke 22:47-48
And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and
drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man
with a kiss? Sold for thirty pieces of silver: Zechariah
11:12-13 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price
thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at
of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord.
Matthew 26:14-15 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will
ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 27:9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces
of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; Laughed at and mocked: Psalms 22:1-2 <<To the chief Musician
upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.>> My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why
art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and
in the night season, and am not silent. Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?Psalms 22:6-8
But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn:
they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let
him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
Psalms 22:12-13 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of
Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. Matthew
27:39-44 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that
destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise
also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot
save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God;
let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified
with him, cast the same in his teeth. Beaten, Crucified and Gambled Off Garments:
Isaiah 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the
sons of men.
Luke 22:63-64 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded
him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
Matthew
26:67-68 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
Psalms 22:14-18 I am poured out like water, and all
my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd;
and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the
assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all
my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
Matthew 27:26-35 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered
him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the
whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of
thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him,
saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And
after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify
him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they
were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall:
and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots:
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they
cast lots. Despised and rejected, an offering for sin:
Isaiah 53:1-3 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as
a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there
is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted
with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Luke
23:18-25 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Who for
a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake
again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath
he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. And they were instant with
loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. And Pilate gave
sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into
prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will. Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he hath borne
our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for
our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his
stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;
and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:7-12 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he
opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth
not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off
out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave
with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall
see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail
of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured
out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for
the transgressors. Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself
took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the
sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews
12:2 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 1 Peter 2:21-25 For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who
did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened
not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body
on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring
us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation
for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Romans 4:25 Who
was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Counted
As Criminal & Buried with Rich: Isaiah 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and
with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Isaiah
53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath
poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of
many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Matthew 27:57-60 When the even was come, there came a
rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged
the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a
clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled
a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
Luke 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must
yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and
the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
Mark 15:27-28 And with him they
crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And
he was numbered with the transgressors. ------------------------------------------
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