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Don’t let his message Passover you
I didn’t exactly know what the “day of Unleavened Bread” was when I read this passage for the first time. After doing some research, I found that it is the first day of the Passover Festival. Celebration for the Hebrews’ escape from enslavement in Egypt. God is so amazing that he delivered an entire people from enslavement. I also did some research about the origin of the word “Passover.” One commonly held assumption is that it comes from the verb “pasàch” and means “He passed over.” Another translation of the verb, based on reviewing other uses of it in the Bible, reads the word means “he hovered over, guarding.” When I put that definition into use, Passover takes on a whole new meaning for me. Passover is not just a celebration of things long ago, but a constant reminder that he has delivered us from our eternal enslavement. The bread, his body, and the wine, his blood, are a symbol of not only the fact that Christ is enough for us, but that he will never leave us. He continues to guard us from leaven (sin) and that his personal sacrifice as the ultimate sacrificial lamb should never be forgotten.
In reading your comments the word pasach strikes me as interesting. I imagine a Jewish family huddled in their Egyptian home. They have all done as Moses asked and painted the Lambs blood above the door. But there is still doubt and fear. I imagine the family is trembling wondering if they did everything right. Parents grasping onto their firstborn children in desperation. Did we put enough blood on the door? Is everyone dressed to leave? Did we eat all the Lamb? Have we done all the “things” that are required?
I think we get like this…bogged down in the “right things”. I wish rather to be bogged down in faith, twisted and trembling in unfathomable awe and lack of understanding the true nature of God’s love. Not will I be passed over? But why would I be passed over?……..b/c he loves me.
Thanks Charlie I enjoyed both of the definitions of pass over you found. I do like the picture of God hovering over, guarding me and my family. In answer to question number 1, the thing I do to strenghten my faith is learn and know more about who I have put my faith in. The more time I spend getting to know God the stronger my faith becomes. My faith has gown as I have put my knowlage into action.
Thanks Charmanda…I mean, Charlie. Thanks for the images you paint with your word study of Passover…and the whole time element – the past, present, and future of Christ’s power in our lives…if we seek him whole-heartedly. Clearly a challenge to do – I long to have it be like breathing to me, but I tend to waffle between my relationship with Christ being too tasky or too loosey-goosey. It’s great having you and Amanda here at CCC. I look forward to getting to know you both better…and you my family. Take care…and thanks again.
I had never heard the “hover over, guard” definition. That seems just right with the mental picture I conjure when we take communion – Him hovering and guarding over us as we kneel at the cross together. Awesome Charlie. Thanks.
Thanks Charlie. That is good insight. We are all so equipped with the Holy Spirit to understand His word. Thanks for being willing and looking into this. I am so thrilled to be hovered over.
Charlie! You’re on the right path, bro. Stay hungry.
blessings my friend.