I just wanted to touch base with you and encourage you during these next few days. Such a wonderful time; it is spring, warm weather for the most part, nice temperatures for the most part, a time of anticipation of good things that God has in store for us.
It is a time of great celebration because of what our Savior accomplished this week, especially the next few days. No matter what trails or problems you are facing, it is a time to lift up your head, survey the cross, that wondrous cross and know that a Savior loved you so much that He gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Tonight (Thursday) would be the time of the Passover Meal; the Last Supper. It was a time of deep fellowship with His disciples, a time of His final teaching and instructions on what was to come. It was a time of preparation and anticipation of His Death. It was also a time of betrayal and denial. l can only imagine what must have been going through His mind.
He was the Son of God. Revered, honored, adored in Heaven. He had never suffered, been abused or misused. He had never been hungry, lonely or cold; until He came to earth. This was part of His sacrifice as the Son of God and the Son of Man. The suffering he would endure the next several hours would be intense. What love!
This special meal that He shared with His Disciples would give Passover a new meaning. The Passover is a celebration when God delivered the Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Ten plagues had been sent upon Egypt. Pharaoh hardened his heart each time a plague was sent upon the land. However, when the tenth plague and worst of the plagues was sent, it got his attention. The plague of the death of the first born showed him God meant business. God's people were instructed to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a slaughtered spring lamb and, upon seeing this, the Spirit of the Lord passed over (Passover) and no death came to that home. Death came to the Egyptians, even to the house of Pharaoh. In his grief he sent the Israelites on their way. When Pharaoh did finally free the Israelites, they left in such a hurry that they could not wait for bread dough to rise (leaven). This deliverance was remembered and celebrated in the holiday called, Passover. It was a very special time for God's children.
I think it is interesting that of all the times of the year, Jesus would die on the cross as our Lamb during this Passover observance. Because of His sacrifice we are able to find our covering and protection for Death and the enemy of our soul. The BLOOD of the Lamb is applied to the doorpost of our heart and we are set free. We are no longer in bondage to the Pharaohs of this world that would keep us in slavery. Sin can be defeated. Addictions, mindsets, strongholds, curses, all of it can be broken once the Blood is applied to the doorpost of our hearts!
So rejoice, rejoice and again I say rejoice! No one can or ever will love you like Jesus does!
Hope to see you for the Good Friday Service at the Chapel on Friday April 18 6:00. Tomorrow is Good Friday...Friday and as Carmen the singer sings, 'it's Friday but Sunday is coming! Resurrection Day!
Be blessed,
Diane
