Why Should Christians Keep the Passover?

Good News Magazine ^ | March 1998 | Allen Stout

[LostTribe]

>By the way I love your profile page, very interesting. I've done some limited study on the lost tribes and from what you've posted it seems right on.

Thank You! The Israelite population numbers, while not at all new, become very dramatic when posted against global population numbers as I have done. It demonstrates that the Israelites were indeed a HUGE population, not one to easily get lost in the woods. {ggg}.

> I did a search on Scythian artwork once and most art experts think that recovered Scythian art shows a "strong connection with Celtic...and Anglo-Saxon art.." which to me affirms that assertation that the Scytians and others may have been part of the lost tribes.

IMHO the major fault with past (and many current) writers on The Celts is that they miss the forest for the trees. They concentrate on individual tribes, and fail to see their common ancestry. Much of the history of Europe is Celts fighting Celts, all with a common heritage.

>Checkout this page for a brief outline of Scythian art.

Thank You. It's a fascinating site, and I have bookmarked it.

[2sheep]

>Tragically, no human (other than Jesus Christ) has kept God's law perfectly. All have broken it by sinning (1 John 3:4).

Well, look at this:

Luke 1:5-6 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

What do you think that means? Remember too the N.T. doctrine of perfection, which so many also deny these days.

[DouglasKC]

Luke 1:5-6 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
What do you think that means? Remember too the N.T. doctrine of perfection, which so many also deny these days.

I think they were blameless, but not sinless. If they were sinless the greek word "anamartetos", which means "without sin" would have been used. Instead the greek word "amemptos" was used, which indicates that they were something less than sinless... :-)

[DouglasKC]

I thought you guys might be interested in an update to this. Last night I participated in my first Passover service with my fellow church members.

The pastor started by reading the appropriate verses in the New Testament that describe the events of the last supper. Everyone had brought a small wash basin and towel with them and we split up into two groups, male and female. The males went to one section of the building and the females to another. We filled our basin s with (warm) water and then split into pairs and washed each others feet, a practice that Christ instructs all his disciples to perform on each other:

Joh 13:14 If then I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

I have to say that this is a very humbling, but holy experience. One can't be proudful or arrogant and do this...which of course was probably part of the intent.

After this we returned to the pews. One of the elders took a piece of unleavened bread and broke it into small pieces, thus equating it with the broken and battered body of Christ on the cross.

Luke 22:19 And He took bread and gave thanks, and He broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is My body which is given for you, this do in remembrance of Me.

The piece of bread were then passed among the congregation and we each ate a small piece.

Next tiny glasses of wine were passed out to the congregation. We each drank, remembering the words of Christ:

1Co 11:25 In the same way He took the cup also, after supping, saying, "This cup is the New Covenant in My blood; as often as you drink it, do this in remembrance of Me."

All in all it was very moving experience that I wished to share with you all.

[Jeremiah Jr]

Genesis 19
1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

Rashi notes they had a 'feast' with unleavened bread because it was Pesach! [Passover]

Excerpt:

Already four hundred years BEFORE the Exodus, Pesach (Passover) was celebrated in the city of Sdom! According to Rashi (Br. 19:3), Lot baked matzot, because his guests arrived on Pesach. At first glance, this statement seems rather absurd, for what possible meaning could there be in commemorating an event which had not yet taken place! In this week's shiur, while discussing the purpose and significance of the Korban Pesach, we will uncover the fundamental biblical theme of "Yom Hashem". This theme will help us understand the relationship between the destruction of Sdom and the process of Yetziat Mitzraim.

Good article at!
http://www.vbm-torah.org/pesach/bo-56.htm

Notice!
The only people who escaped the destruction of Sodom were observing Pesach!

[DouglasKC]

Already four hundred years BEFORE the Exodus, Pesach (Passover) was celebrated in the city of Sdom! According to Rashi (Br. 19:3), Lot baked matzot,

Wow...this is why I love freerepublic, I learn something everyday. That's some fascinating information, am looking forward to reading the link you provided...thanks!

[homeschool mama]

I agree with you...experiencing this kind of service is *very* moving. I look forward to my next Messianic Passover. :o)

[L,TOWM]

The washing of feet is pretty humbling for both the washer and the washee. I am blessed to be a small group leader at my church; my wife and I will usually wash the feet of our "sheep" annually. It is a great way to remind yourself of the Servant Leader model exemplified by Jesus.

[vmatt]

All in all it was very moving experience that I wished to share with you all.

I know you mean well but these are not things we who would come two thousand years later were instructed to follow but customs of their time just as greeting one another with a holy kiss. If you feel strongly about this, would you be kind enough to provide proof that this is what God would have us do today?

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

[Jeremiah Jr]

History of Design: The flag of The State of Israel includes two blue stripes on white background with a Shield (Star) of David (in Hebrew: Magen David) in the center. This design was first displayed in Rishon-LeZion in 1885 and was also used at the First Zionist Congress in 1897 (Encyclopaedia Judaica, 1971). It was inspired by the tallit (the prayer shawl with blue stripes worn by Jews during prayer) as a symbol. The Star of David is a common symbol of the People of Israel from Biblical times. The flag was adopted officially on October 28, 1948 (25 Tishre, 5709) by the Speaker of the Provisional Council of State.


***


The Magen David is a symbol of the two blood covenants!

When the Hebrews placed the blood of the paschal lamb on the side posts and lintel it formed a triangle pointing up to G-d. When Yeshua hung on the cross He formed a triangle pointing from G-d to man!

Psalm 118:23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

[LostTribe]

>The Star of David is a common symbol of the People of Israel from Biblical times.

Do you know when the symbol was first used? Presumeably no earlier than Davids time.

[JohnnyM]

"The pastor started by reading the appropriate verses in the New Testament that describe the events of the last supper. Everyone had brought a small wash basin and towel with them and we split up into two groups, male and female. The males went to one section of the building and the females to another. We filled our basin s with (warm) water and then split into pairs and washed each others feet, a practice that Christ instructs all his disciples to perform on each other:"

Don't you understand the signifigance of the washing of the feet at the Last Supper dealt with the Spiritual aspect of our lives.

Listen to the words of Christ when He is performing this act:

John 13:6-10
6 He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?"
7 Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand."
8 Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part in me."
9 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!"
10 Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not every one of you."

Clearly, Christ is speaking of their spiritual cleanliness. He said they are all clean, but one, and that one was Judas. The dirty feet represented the dirt and stain of the world on their Spiritual lives. As Christians, as we go out into the world, we get dirty with the sin and garbage of the world and we need to be washed by our fellow brothers and sisters. Christ is showing us through this humble act of washing His disciples feet, how we as Christians should uplift and wash the spiritual feet of our brethern when they have the stink and dirt of the world on them. There have been countless times where I have had the dirt of the world on me and I felt down or yucky and a brother or sister has lifted me up through song, through a good word, or through worship and my spirits were lifted. If you only see this act as a literal washing of the feet, you fail to grasp the true signifigance of it.

JM

[DouglasKC]

I know you mean well but these are not things we who would come two thousand years later were instructed to follow but customs of their time just as greeting one another with a holy kiss. If you feel strongly about this, would you be kind enough to provide proof that this is what God would have us do today?

LOL...Jesus commanded these things vmatt, so I'm going to do them!

[DouglasKC]

. There have been countless times where I have had the dirt of the world on me and I felt down or yucky and a brother or sister has lifted me up through song, through a good word, or through worship and my spirits were lifted. If you only see this act as a literal washing of the feet, you fail to grasp the true signifigance of it.

You're right, I should have expanded on the spiritual significance of the ceremony. Our pastor last night expounded on it quite a bit and my reading on the ceremony touched quite heavily and I'm sorry for ommiting it from my description of events last night. Ditton with the bread and wine.

That being said, there is something to be said also for the physically performing the acts that Jesus commanded. If he wished us to only learn spiritual lessons, he would have only taught by spiritual example. My belief is that since we are still in fleshly bodies, we still need fleshly and spiritual teachings.

[vmatt]

LOL...Jesus commanded these things vmatt, so I'm going to do them!

That's fine, all I ask is for proof Jesus commanded that you, today, do these things. Being as how you have engaged and extolled others regarding these rituals, you must already have proved to yourself they are truth. That proof is all I ask. Thanks.

[DouglasKC]

LOL...Jesus commanded these things vmatt, so I'm going to do them!
That's fine, all I ask is for proof Jesus commanded that you, today, do these things. Being as how you have engaged and extolled others regarding these rituals, you must already have proved to yourself they are truth. That proof is all I ask.

Joh 13:14 If then I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

Luke 22:19 And He took bread and gave thanks, and He broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is My body which is given for you, this do in remembrance of Me.

1Co 11:25 In the same way He took the cup also, after supping, saying, "This cup is the New Covenant in My blood; as often as you drink it, do this in remembrance of Me." Thanks.

[vmatt]

All the verses you present are to his disciples, not us today. Jesus took several of the customs of the day and used them to teach many lessons and we are to take the lessons, not the rituals themselves. These people really needed to have their feet washed, unlike today. It was considered a welcoming custom. These people already ate the passover and it was a meal to satisfy hunger, not us today. These people really did kiss each other but we don't. A "holy handshake" would be the modern equivalent custom and the true meaning would be consistent. You are taking these valuable lessons and turning them back into rituals. There were no "foot washings" in the early church.

Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

[DouglasKC]

All the verses you present are to his disciples, not us today. Jesus took several of the customs of the day and used them to teach many lessons and we are to take the lessons, not the rituals themselves. These people really needed to have their feet washed, unlike today. It was considered a welcoming custom. These people already ate the passover and it was a meal to satisfy hunger, not us today. These people really did kiss each other but we don't. A "holy handshake" would be the modern equivalent custom and the true meaning would be consistent. You are taking these valuable lessons and turning them back into rituals. There were no "foot washings" in the early church.

I'm not of the opinion that the words of Jesus were preserved for thousands of years just because they wanted to tell a nice little story. If we are Christian, then we are a disciple of Christ and should do what he tells us to do. That was the mission of the early church, to make disciples of all nations.

Footwashing certainly existed, but it was normally done by servants to guests. By doing this and setting is as an example, Christ shows us that service to our fellows is something to be emulated and desired. By actually performing what he commanded, we learn spiritual lessons of humility and service through this physical act of washing.

[vmatt]

Footwashing certainly existed, but it was normally done by servants to guests. By doing this and setting is as an example, Christ shows us that service to our fellows is something to be emulated and desired. By actually performing what he commanded, we learn spiritual lessons of humility and service through this physical act of washing.

I know you understand the significance of what Jesus was teaching his disciples because you describe exactly what was being taught, "shows us that service to our fellows is something to be emulated and desired." So in every small custom we have, opening the door for someone, allowing someone out in traffic can emulate this spirit correct? Take a "holy kiss" for instance. We greet each other with a handshake so if a saint enters your house or place of worship and you greet them with a "holy handshake" in sincerity and love you fulfill the same lesson, all that has changed is the ritual itself because it doesn't matter. Part of the lesson is that in every little thing you do even down to a simple handshake, do it with love sincerity and service, without respect of persons. These things we should do, not reach back to ancient customs of another time and copy their rituals as though Christ would be pleased.

[DouglasKC]

Part of the lesson is that in every little thing you do even down to a simple handshake, do it with love sincerity and service, without respect of persons. These things we should do, not reach back to ancient customs of another time and copy their rituals as though Christ would be pleased.

Well I guess we'll just have to disagree then. I happen to think it wouldn't be preserved for future disciples unless Christ wanted us to do what he commanded.