Risen Indeed/Passover!

Resurrection Sunday

Beloved, Christians throughout the world celebrate and rejoice in the glorious truth that Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4).”  The resurrection was God’s sign of approval and acceptance of Christ’s redemptive work on the cross.

Passover

Jews, celebrate Passover remembering their deliverance from Egyptian slavery.  For centuries, the early church would celebrate the resurrection during Passover.  Why?   Jesus died on Passover during the exact moment the Passover lambs were being slaughtered.  Thus, Paul stated, ^“Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

The Feasts of Passover (Pesach), Unleavened Bread (Hag HaMatzot), and Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim), are all part of Passover.

Unleavened Bread represents a pure bread, without sin (leaven), – Jesus was without sin, ^“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Firstfruits, “But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of them that are asleep” (I Cor. 15:20).

Messiah became Sin!

Jesus died a horrible death on the cross for our sin.  He cried, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani – My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me (Matthew 27:46)?”  This was the moment when God the Father hid His face from His Son (Hab. 1:13). Why?  Because it is written at that moment Christ became a “curse for us.” For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  (Galatians 3:10, 13, 14; Isaiah 59:2; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

The Charge

The resurrection is God’s affirmation that he has not only, “reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ,” but has “given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18,19).”  After the resurrection, our Lord gave us a mandate to be witnesses for Him “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).” The Lord also gave us the charge to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature…to the Jew first, and, also to the Greek (Mark 16:15; Romans 1:16).”  

Success

Israel Today Ministries is committed to this charge, and with your partnership we are touching literally thousands with a simple meal, and the gospel and love of the resurrected Messiah.  Lives are being changed eternally, and temporally, in the name of Messiah Yeshua, (Jesus Christ). Please pray about your investment for God’s ancient people, and Israel Today Ministries – then give joyfully – the need is urgent!

Great Return

This season, as we remind ourselves of the meaning of Calvary, the empty tomb, and the Passover, may we also remind ourselves of our indebtedness to our Lord who redeemed us through His blood, and to His ancient people who presented the Gospel to the nations two-thousand years ago.

God said regarding Israel:

“I will bless them that bless thee (Genesis 12:3.)”

 “Inasmuch, as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (Matthew 25:40).”

 Thank you for partnering with me.  As you prayerfully invest your gifts I know God will bless you in profound and wonderful ways.

Always remember, Time is short; Life is precious and Jesus is coming soon!

Chag Pesach sameach! (Happy Passover), Happy Resurrection Day! 

Until He comes, we are

Together Under His Wings,

Dr. Jeff