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Norbert Bohnert—March 11, 2022
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I'm going to talk on preparing ourselves for Passover, but will be taking a little bit different aspect. I'm not going to get too specific on what the Passover is all about. But basically trying to give an understanding of what our perspective of what Passover should be!
How we should approach Passover and what we should be preparing ourselves for, and for the days of Unleavened Bread. It's probably the most crucial time for all of us that at this time we take extra effort to prepare ourselves. But this should be an ongoing thing for all year.
How are we approaching another Passover as another year has rolled by? It's only just a little less than a month away and I'm just going to rehearse a few things and remind us of some of the pretty basic things concerning Passover, which leads onto the days of Unleavened Bread without getting too specific.
The Passover is the most important key element of God's Plan. This time of the year is so important in each of us in our spiritual growth and conversion process.
This is the opportunity that God has given us and that opportunity every year to renew that covenant that we have made with Him upon our baptism, conviction and commitment to the Laws of God and His way of life.
Sometimes our mind is rather simple, and maybe God knew that. We forget and thus it's a good thing that we have to rehearse this on a yearly basis. To replenish that knowledge that we received and to lead us on to developing what God has in mind for us, and what we should be doing yearly to continue on covenant with God!
Our approach and attitude toward Passover and toward God Himself is of paramount importance. We should ask ourselves:
- How do I view God?
- How do I view my Father?
- How do I view my elder brother Jesus Christ?
All questions that are good starting points for this Passover season, to refresh us of what our calling is all about.
- Do we feel that God is up there? He is all-powerful and Almighty!
- Is He just waiting for just one misstep and one false move that we make?
- Is He going to hit us?
- Is He going to get us?
- Is that the attitude that we have?
- Should that be the attitude that we have?
- Is He going to pound us, hit us hard and punish us because we didn't do as He wanted us to do?
NO! Our loving God is not a harsh, mean Being up there that just wants to pounce on us for any misdeeds that we do for the year or on a daily basis.
We need to understand that right perspective especially as we approach another Passover, and even more important, seeing the world conditions crumble around us in so many ways.
Satan has taken hold of the entire world, and we should not be surprised by that, but rather be strengthened by what we know to get ou lives back in control and do what we must as per our calling that we received directly from God the Father.
Preparing for the annual Passover should not only be done a couple of months before the time, but should be on a continual basis as we develop and grow during the entire year.
We must get serious! We cannot slide! Let us refurbish that zeal that we had initially! That warmth and energy to totally give ourselves first of all to God the Father and Jesus Christ, which is the only hope that we have!
The right perspective of God is that God is there for us! He supports us, loves us and wants us to do well. That is His whole goal! We tend to forget that at times, and we are so wound up about things going on about us, and God, unfortunately, gets pushed aside!
We need to keep God in the forefront of our mind in whatever we're doing. I'm speaking to myself, too; this is not just meant for you. It's for everyone!
- God is calling us to succeed
- He wants us to succeed
- He wants us to do well
He's calling each one of us to be part of—a big part—of His God Family!
What does God have planned for us? God reveals that His Son Jesus Christ is the One Who will be guiding us.
Hebrews 1:1: "God Who spoke to the fathers at different times in the past and in many ways by the Prophets, has spoken to us in these last days by His Son, Whom He has appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the ages" (vs 1-2).
Hebrews 2:6: "But in a certain place one fully testified, saying, 'What is man, that You are mindful of him, or the son of man, that You visit him? You did make him a little lower than the angels; You did crown him with glory and honor, and You did set him over the works of Your hands; You did put all things in subjection under his feet.' For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that was not subjected to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor on account of suffering the death, in order that by the grace of God He Himself might taste death for everyone; because it was fitting for Him, for Whom all things were created, and by Whom all things exist, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (vs 6-10).
Christ suffered! Is it not true that we also learn through suffering, personally, each one of us? We should be learning by suffering!
God's ultimate purpose for mankind is to give him dominion over all His creation, the whole universe! God has set His firstborn Son—Jesus Christ—at the controls of the universe. He wants us to ultimately share that vast, great and tremendous power and authority after we are literally born of Him at the resurrection.
The power and authority that we're talking about is Godly power! Godly authority that will always be used for the good of mankind! God loves His creation! Jesus Christ loved mankind! He died for mankind! So, that power and authority will always be used for the good of mankind.
It will sometimes—especially toward the end—be used in some very dramatic ways. Frankly, unfortunately, many people will die. But there is hope with God's plan they will be resurrected and they'll have a chance to learn the right way. That's what God has in store for mankind.
We are destined—if we obey God and overcome our human, carnal nature—to become like God, His very own children at the resurrection, part of His Divine Family!It is a concept that is very hard to comprehend. But that's what we're told. That is part of God's plan. That is the incredible, awesome, supreme purpose of human life! That is the definition of true success! That should be our #1 goal in life!
Those of us who have had children, we loved them and wanted them to succeed and do well. We would go out of our way to do what we could to help them, to have them do as well as they could, to ensure that they would be successful. We will be positive and encouraging to them as they grow up. God is the same way! We will help them every step of the way where they are going. God is the same way!
Would God the Father and our elder Brother Jesus Christ do any less? We know the answer to that; I don't think so! Let's go through some Scriptures to remind us how God actually loves us:
3-John 2: "Beloved, I personally am praying for you, that in all respects you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul is prospering."
This was John writing, but he was a representative of God, and that goes for us, too. God wants above all things for us to prospere and be in health.
Proverbs 10:27: "The fear of the LORD prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened."
Do we want a long life? I think we all do! We would all like to have a long, healthy life. The fear of the Lord is not like the concept that we understand as being afraid of God. The respect for God's way of life, the joining into that way of life, the helping and teaching that way of life is what prolongs our days!
Of course, there's that Scripture that we've heard many times:
Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
- that is God's perspective on us
- this is how God sees us
- this is what God wants for us
- that's what God thinks of us
- that's what God is doing for us
- that is how God is helping us
He loves us and is there for us! He wants us all to make it, to be successful!
In addition to that basic attitude and perspective toward God, we need to realize something else, which I think is equally important: God will give us the tools that are necessary to have that success! God will intervene and continuously intervene in our lives.
- He gives us what we need to move forward
- He gives us the tools necessary for us to accomplish that success He wants
There are many Scriptures in God's Word that give us instruction on:
- how to live
- what to do
- how to act
- how to react
- how to walk in God's way
We hear about them weekly at Sabbath services. The wonderful things that God has in store for us. He gives us the map, directions and tools to work with. What more can we ask for?
Take the time to read 1-Peter 1; it's ideal to review as part of our self-exam before Passover. Looking at all those characteristics that God lists there and see how we are doing, each one of us, our own personal assessment can be made based on that. That's what this time of year really, really emphasizes for us.
1-Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has come upon you except what is common to mankind…."
What does that mean? The lives that we're living, other people have lived those lives before! We've all been tempted by various things in our lives. There's nothing brand new under the sun, but remember that God is faithful!
"…For God, Who is faithful…" (v 13).
This is the God we worship! This is the God that is part of God's Family Who created us and is directing and guiding us.
He "…will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear…" (v 13).
This should be encouraging to all of us as we go through these difficult times in this world. We are tried, tempted and proven in so many ways. But the Scriptures say very clearly that God is faithful! He is faithful to us and will not let us be tempted and torn apart, beaten down to the point that we will drop our oars and quit!
If we don't want to quit, He will be there! Of course, we have to do our part. If we don't want to quit He will be there for us! He will stand for us!
"…but with the temptation, He will make a way of escape, so that you may be able to bear it" (v 13).
Have you ever been a situation where you just thought that you didn't know if you could take this any longer? I can probably speak for many of us; I think that it is very, very common!
If you're still in that situation and you're following God's way, then God knows better than you do. He knows that you can take it just a little bit longer. It will disappear, but in God's timing.
You have to realize that! There is a purpose! He is the one who will help us in a situation, whatever the trial may be, or the difficulty that we find ourselves in.
- He will provide that way of escape
- He will provide whatever we need
God knows us intimately, each one of us!
- He knows who we are
- He knows what we need
We are all unique and different and we all need different things. God knows that and He knows what we all specifically need. Each one of us have different needs. He will make a way for us to escape so that we can bear whatever we're going through. But we must apply ourselves!
2-Corinthians 4:16: "For this reason, we do not lose heart; but if our outward man is being brought to decay, yet, the inward man is being renewed day-by-day."
God gives us those tools necessary to be successful! Isn't that encouraging for us to know that? The outward man perishes; sometimes that is the way it is! But the inward man does not have to perish! That inward man, through contact with God through prayer, study and meditation, can be constantly renewed day-by-day! God gives us that opportunity.
2-Corinthians 10:4: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the overthrowing of strongholds."
- Are we in warfare in our present state?
- Are we fighting? We better be for our own good!
We are fighting and we know that! We wake up each morning having a different battle to fight. We're fighting the world around us. Whose world is it? It's not God's world out there; it's Satan's world! Satan has permeated everything that's out there.
- What are we doing now?
- What are we doing now differently than we did 20 years ago?
that's what we should be gauging ourselves on
- Have we grown?
- Have we changed our attitude?
or
- Are we just floating around engulfed by society around us? It's so easily done!
We need to continue to fight! That fight has to continue, and it's comforting to know that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal! We actually have supernatural resources; weapons that are not carnal! The Mighty God gives us those tools to be successful! He will encourage us along the way!
John 14:18: "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."
God always keeps His promises, not sometimes! We don't listen, but whose fault is that? It's not God's fault!
Hebrews 13:5: "Do not allow the love of money to influence your behavior, but be satisfied with what you have; for He has said, 'In no way will I ever leave you; no—I will never forsake you in any way.'" God is talking to each one of us!
Ephesians 3:14: "For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; and that being rooted and grounded in love, you may be fully able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ, which surpasses human knowledge so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (vs 14-19).
This is an excellent set of Scriptures to go over and really think about, and meditate over at this time of year just before Passover.
- What is "…the breadth and length and depth and height…"?
- Can we comprehend that?
We can with God's help, and He will make sure that we can!
On a physical level, we can't do that! We can't even fathom what it's all about. But God gives us that understanding to comprehend this "…breadth and length and depth and height…" of what He has for us in His Word!
Verse 19: "And to know the love of Christ, which surpasses human knowledge so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Wouldn't it be nice if we had a benefactor, someone who does good? Of course, we do! We have God! He is our benefactor! He is the One Who does good for us above anything we could possibly imagine, above any thoughts!
Verse 21: "To Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all generations, even into the ages of eternity. Amen."
You may be asking where am I going with all of this? Well, it's very important for us to run through these Scriptures up to another Passover season. We need to get that proper attitude and approach to God straight in our mind and realize that God is there for us! That is the purpose and plan of God. He loves us dearly; He is working with each one of us on a personal basis.
First of all, He has called us out of the many, many people in this world. He wants us all to make it! He wants us all to be successful! With this said, there are a few additional things that we need to understand, and one of those things is that we need to be growing! We need to be applying ourselves and growing in character, in true Godly character.
God loves us so very much that He wants us to succeed so well, to grow and move forward, to do good things and to draw close to Him at the same time. That one on one relationship that we talk about is so important between us and God. That is how we develop righteous character. What do we mean righteous character? Perfect Holy and righteous character is the ability in such a separate entity:
- to come to discern the true and right way from the false way
- to make voluntarily a full and unconditional surrender to God and His perfect way
- to yield to be conquered by God and His Word
Perfect character can only come from God; we cannot develop that on our own. This growing character, which is ongoing, involves some basic understanding.
Deuteronomy 30:19: "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, so that both you and your seed may live." That's what it's all about!
As we approach another Passover, one question we might ask ourselves: Am I growing in the ability to discern between right and wrong?
It's a very simple question to ask, and you may think that it's pretty easy to answer. You may know what the answer is, but are you applying it the way it should be.
Am I studying God's Word on a regular basis so that I know what God wants and says? It doesn't come to you; you have to study! Discernment is so critical in our lives; making good and wise choices when confronted with decisions.
We've all faced that! Unfortunately, many times discernment was not even used in the choices/decisions that we made. With those decisions and choices that we make, we have to have the desire to do the right thing and then to follow up on that by doing it. Not thinking it, but doing it, acting on it. Not just a desire to do right, but actually doing it. That is a weakness that many of us have. Talk is cheap sometimes, but action is where it's all at!
It's like the old phrase, and pardon my language: the road to hell is paved with good intensions!
What are our intensions? They may be the best of intensions, but if they're not backed by action, by doing things, then they're basically worth nothing!
As mentioned before, God gives us the tools that we need. He gives us the power, whatever is necessary to do what is right. What He has done in our lives, what He has done personally with each one of us He has called, once we've realized what is right and what is wrong.
He also gives us the power to do what is right if we ask Him for it. God keeps those doors open. God wants to build a relationship with each one of us, one on one. This is not a group effort. This is a one on one relationship.
James 1:22: "Then be doers of the Word, and not only hearers, deceiving your own selves. because if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, this one is like a man considering his natural face in a mirror. Who, after looking at himself, went away and immediately forgot what he was like. But the one who has looked into the perfect Law of Freedom, and has continued in it, this one himself has not become a forgetful hearer, but is a doer of the work. This one shall be blessed in his actions" (vs 22-25).
We see the importance. We cannot just think about it, we have to actually act. When we read these Scriptures:
- Do we actually grasp what we read?
- Are we convinced that we need to change whatever it is in our lives?
We need that desire to change ourselves, but we can't do it on our own! We need God's help! We must realize that, too; we cannot do it on our own.
Humans generally can change to a certain respect, a little bit over time. But overall on a spiritual level, we cannot change ourselves; only God can do that for us. We cannot do it by ourselves; we just can't! we cannot change on a spiritual plane without God.
Ephesians 2:11: "Therefore, remember that you were once Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by those who are called circumcision in the flesh made by hands; and that you were without Christ at that time, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (vs 11-12).
This is speaking to people who God called into the Church that hadn't been in the Church before. There are many out there that grew up in the Church, and everyone must learn those same principles. We all do; we must accept them, and we must make them a part of us.
Before we knew those principles, before we had made them a part of our lives, we were without hope. We really were, brethren, we cannot do it by ourselves. God is there to help us. It has been repeatedly said, 'God will support us and help us, and do everything He can for us so that we can be successful. Sometimes, unfortunately, it takes correction to help us.
Hebrews 12:6: "For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and He severely disciplines every son whom He receives."
God does need to chasten and correct us when necessary. I'm sure that we all have experienced that, and will continue to experience that.
2-Corinthians 3:16: "But when their hearts turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away."
Isn't it interesting that reproof and correction are coached between doctrine and instruction in righteousness? They're part and parcel of doctrine and instruction in righteousness.
We as teachers, each one of us, must realize that one of the very best ways to correct someone is to allow them to see the need for correction. That being each one of us assesses ourselves. Too many times that has not been the case. That's an important concept that we must grasp. If we can see it—and it doesn't have to be driven into us—it will come to us. We can realize on our own misgivings, problems and through help from God, we are more likely to change. God does that for us. He does that very often in our lives. Sometimes whether we realize it or not.
1-Corinthians 11:27: "For this reason, if anyone shall eat this bread or shall drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, he shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup according" (vs 27-28). This is the time we're coming to.
I don't know if you've experience this, but over the many years many brethren come ask the question or make the statement that they cannot partake of the Passover claiming that they would be taking it unworthily doing disrespect to the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
You must connect the two verses I just read, because IF you examine yourself deeply and profoundly with God's help, and you ask for His intervention in that self-examination, THEN you won't be taking the Passover unworthily.
That is the test! We must not be passive! What happens when we examine ourselves? We pinpoint a few more of our problems, more than we would ever want to admit to!
I think, personally, that God is very merciful to us, each one of us. He doesn't show us everything at once; He doesn't throw it at us all at once. At least I can speak for myself in this instance.
Many of us, including myself, have been in the Church many years. Each year we still find things about ourselves—after our self-examination—that we never saw before, or that hasn't come to light before.
What's really discouraging at times is when you find something personally that you thought you got rid of many years ago, and suddenly it reappears out of the blue! Just reappears!
Verse 28: "But let a man examine himself, and let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup accordingly." That is what the Passover is about!
Romans 14:10: "Now then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, because it is written, '"For as I live," says the Lord, "every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God."' So then, each one of us shall give account of himself to God" (vs 10-12).
No one else but yourself! Let us never forget that each one of us is accountable for ourselves! No one else is; no one! That's why we all refer to self-examination we don't talk about. We should all be examining ourselves and no one else. It's our own self-examination!
- we should not be examining anybody else
- we should not be making judgment on anybody else
It's you and God! God says to examine yourself! We will give account of ourselves as individuals when these we stand before God!
2-Corinthians 13:5: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; prove your own selves. Don't you of your own selves know that Jesus Christ is in you? Otherwise, you are reprobates."
We cannot forget that each one of us is accountable for ourselves! No one else! We read this every year, but do we really understand the importance of it! Examining ourselves whether we are in the faith!
It doesn't say to examine ourselves and see what a wonderful person we are.
- Are we still in the faith?
- Are we still there?
- Are we still doing what we should be doing?
Those are questions that we should be asking ourselves! We can and we should every year when Passover comes around ask ourselves:
- Am I in the faith?
- Am I more solidly in the faith now than a year ago?
- Am I more enthusiastic about God's way now than a year ago?
OR
- Am I beaten down and tired?
- Have I wanted to give up?
- Have you ever been in that state, brethren?
I can say I have!
- Have you ever been in that state that you wanted to give up?
It is at times that I think that God just picks us up and says, 'Come on! I'll give you a little smooth water for a moment.' A rest! Then we go back to His Word and take that courage from what God has given us in His writings, for what He has told us in His Word.
- What has our performance been during the last year?
- Has it been a good year?
Or
- Has it been a bad year?
We must be careful when we ask that question, because it may have been a year that was very torturous in many ways was the year we learned more spiritually than we had ever done before.
God tends teach and reach us a great deal in rough waters, in trials that we experience, in tribulations, whether we realize it or not. The thing is, God looks at our progress, how we are doing:
- Are we making progress?
- Are we moving forward?
- Are we going forward?
He looks at our progress! With Him looking at our progress, we must do the same. Are we progressing? We're not close to perfection, we know that, but:
- Are we progressing?
- Are we growing?
This is the time of year that we really have to face ourselves squarely, look at ourselves in the mirror and plainly ask: Are we growing? Be honest! It may be a difficult question to answer. We need to look at our sins:
- What are our sins?
- Do we know what our sins are?
We should at least know some of them, I would hope! We should know what they are:
- whether they are against the letter or the spirit of God's way
- whether they are sins against someone else
Whatever the case may be!
Romans 3:10: "Exactly as it is written: 'For there is not a righteous one—not even one!'" Fairly plain! There is none righteous! That means that:
- we all have sins
- we all need help
- we all need correction
God will do that, because it helps us and brings us forward, closer to the goal that He has set for us. We need that correction. It's unpleasant, yes! But we need that correction!
Growing up as a child, many times you get corrected and you wondered why they are being so mean, why? There usually was a purpose for it. It is a tool that can be used to learn from. I always remind myself, and would like to remind you from time to time that we need to ask God for balance and that self-examination and evaluation that we do.
Jeremiah 10:23: "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing" (vs 23-24).
It's so critical! We can ask God to help us, to correct us, but as gently as possible! My experience has been that God, every year around Passover time—and other times, too—does help us. He will help us! We know that this is the time of year that Satan is working on all of us; he does not like this time of year above all other times.
God will correct us! Ye, He will help us see things about ourselves! We can be thankful that He does that. He is a very merciful God; He doesn't show us everything at one time.
I think that would be way, way too much for most of us to handle. If we are honest with ourselves, repentant, God will show some things about ourselves that we didn't know existed or that we were ignorant of. Or that we just ignored it. We have to be honest and above all repentant in wanting to go God's way! We want to change those things!
Sometimes we need a lot of help to do that; that's what God is there for. Sometimes we even need to talk to someone. We can't do everything alone as we can probably all attest to.
Sometimes we think we can, but it really becomes impossible! It's impossible usually on the physical plane and it certainly is on the spiritual plane. Never feel bad about asking for help! It's amazing the various ways that God will help us, even when it is correcting us. We must be open to it and, of course, we must be seeking it.
We must have a desire to change, because what are changing into. That's what the question should be: What are we changing into? We are changing to be more like our elder Brother Jesus Christ!
That's what we're all striving for! Changing to be more like God the Father, building God's character! That's what it's all about. We talk about reconciliation and getting reconciled with God, getting in line with God. That is our purpose!
That is what our life should be all about as spiritually-minded beings. We've got a long battle ahead of us, but God has given us that opportunity. So, briefly I just want to go through a few highlights regarding taking the Passover, and hit on a couple of things concerning some of the symbolisms we see there, because it's very important. We will rehearse these I'm sure with messages to come.
We should, each one of us, review the Passover ceremony and understand what the Passover represents and the importance of that day for all of us.
There are many out there that have had to take the Passover on a very regular basis all alone! There's nothing wrong with that because God knows where you are and what your situation is; it not a problem. The symbols and the meaning of Passover remains the same whether you are by yourself or with a group of other brethren.
As far as the foot-washing, that of course becomes a little more difficult to do, but there again, God knows the circumstances. It is important to partake of Passover ceremony, humility, which is represented by the foot-washing is so important for us who are following God's Word. It is essential! Humility is something that we should all desire. Humility is something that is lacking usually, in a lot of our thoughts, in our mind and people generally.
It's the foundation without which we cannot go forward and to grow. Humility is very important, and that's why God put the foot-washing ceremony into the Passover evening.
Then we speak of the bread and the wine.
John 6:54: "The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up in the last day."
Christ is living in us, meaning that we have subscribes to God's way of life. That means that we have totally yielded ourselves to God's way. Upon counseling for baptism, we said to God, 'I need Your help, show me the way; help me go the right way!' If we do that from the innermost part of our being, and mean it and want that, God will honor it. He will work with us and will come to that point that we can be baptized and be part of that spiritual family and learn more of God's way!
1-John 1:7: "However, if we walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His own Son, cleanses us from all sin."
God is there holding the flashlight for if we're going on the right path. He's there to help and shine that light to show us the way. He's there for us!
Romans 8:9: "However, you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God is indeed dwelling within you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. But if Christ be within you, the body is indeed dead because of sin; however, the Spirit is life because of righteousness" (vs 9-10).
We can experience that life! It is something difficult physically speaking. We will go through trials and difficulties, each one of us, in different degrees. But God is there for us! All of us! Let us not forget that.
He will help us and he wants us to succeed! He has a marvelous plan for all of us, true and faithful to the end! Taking the bread, a symbol of the tortured and crushed body of Jesus Christ, symbolizes our acceptance of Christ. We accept Christ to live within us through the power of the Holy Spirit.
When Christ is living in us, we are ready to do whatever it takes to follow God's way! That's what we should be coming to. God gives us those tools to work with. He will give us the strength that we need as weak as we are physically-speaking.
Taking the sine is a symbol for the shed blood that Christ sacrificed Himself for the sins of mankind. When you think of it, what hope would mankind ever have without Jesus' sacrifice? God loves us all! God loves mankind and wants us to succeed. He's there for us. The strength that we need will be given to us—each one of us—but we must be there and ask Him for it. We must ask Him for it!
We must make sure that we are in accord with His way; that we are trying to go His way! We are not there to think that we will become perfect. It's a struggle for each one of us. Some moreso than others. But that's the inner strength that we can build with the power of the Holy Spirit working within us to grant us that opportunity and that God would guide and direct us.
We don't have to be perfect for God to help us. If that were true then I don't think many of us would be here. But God will help us, each one of us, if He see the desire within us to do that will of God.
In closing, let us take this time before another Passover to:
- reflect on the significance of this day
- reflect on the purpose of our calling
- reflect on the goals and subsequent rewards waiting for us
God's plan is an awesome plan!
God gave us Jesus Christ, His beloved Son, to sacrifice Himself for all mankind. What an awesome understanding that is in itself; that we can have and approach another Passover. Let's make it and do it right. Let's do it from a right perspective. Let's remember what God's perspective on us is: that He is there for us!
- He wants us to make it
- He wants us to succeed
Of course, we must do our part, and that involves a great deal of work on our part. But God is there every step of the way! God is there helping us. If we get knocked down, we get back up! It's our will that makes it work and that is what we should be striving for.
Are we there for God? That is the true perspective of what the Passover is all about! Everything else related to that day is also very important! This is the basics: Are we there for God?
Scriptural References:
- Hebrews 1:1-2
- Hebrews 2:6-10
- 3 John 2
- Proverbs 10:27
- Romans 8:28
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
- 2 Corinthians 4:16
- 2 Corinthians 10:4
- John 14:8
- Hebrews 13:5
- Ephesians 3:14-19, 21
- Deuteronomy 30:19
- James 1:22-25
- Ephesians 2:11-12
- Hebrews 12:6
- 2 Corinthians 3:16
- 1 Corinthians 11:27-28
- Romans 14:10-12
- 2 Corinthians 13:5
- Romans 3:10
- Jeremiah 10:23-24
- John 6:54
- 1 John 1:7
- Romans 8:9-10
Scripture referenced, not quoted: 1 Peter 1
NB:bo
Transcribed: 4/6/22
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