Corona and Passover Feast

Celebrating Passover Introduction In the wake of many calamities that have hit the human race, such as the Covid-19 (Coronavirus), the locust invasion in Kenya and the terrorism that is happening around the world, the term plague may not be new per se. A plague is an outbreak of a certain phenomenon that seems hard to explain, is abrupt and hard to contain in an instance. Passover was such an instance where in the last season of God’s dealings with Pharaoh, He decided to hit him where it hurt most, and knew that its result was going to be phenomenal. It was after this plague that Pharaoh let the children of Israel to leave Egypt into the Promised Land Exodus 12:50. Old Testament The first Passover happened in a night when the angel of death went around Egypt killing all the first-born sons in order to secure redemption for the Children of Israel. God released this plague so as to pressurize Pharaoh to let the Israelites free from slavery. However, Moses had received special instructions that in every house of the Israelites, they were to slaughter a lamb and paint their doors’ lintels with the blood of that lamb. The reason for this painting was that when the angel of death passed by Israelites’ homes that night, he would not kill the first-borns, but would pass-over Exodus 12:13. This became a day that God ordered to be commemorated by all generations in Israel Exodus 12:14. Since this time, the Passover has been celebrated by the Jewish people who remember the day God delivered them from the oppression of Pharaoh. In coming to the New Testament, we see that the ceremony was carried on but in a new light. New Testament Jesus was perceived to be affirming the Passover in that He called His body the flesh and His blood the drink that had been offered for salvation of humanity Luke 22:7-22. Luke describes the state in which Jesus asks that a room be made for Jesus to partake of the Passover with His disciples. He settles on the dining table and after giving thanks to the Father, He called the bread His flesh and the cup of wine His blood, for the New Covenant inauguration. The death of Jesus replaced the ceremonial sacrificial lamb slaughtered during the Passover to atone for sin. Hence He satisfactorily appeased the Father once and for all, so that the blood of bulls and sheep in the Old Covenant were no longer needed to atone for sin. Passover today As Christians, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus by partaking of the Holy Communion elements in remembrance of his accomplished work for us. Every year following the Roman Calendar, Passover has been referred to as Easter, though with various debates on what to refer to it today due to the name associated with Pagan worship originally. Some have lost the real meaning by bringing in unnecessary hypes that are a way of distracting people from the real thing. Easter, as many could refer to it, is a season for many to travel home and catch-up with some unmet deadlines for the year, while others know it as a season to make money through selling the Easter bunnies and eggs etc. Mary Magdalene The settings surrounding her first instance with Jesus were not pleasant at all. She was a prostitute, who had been arrested in her normal line of operations, and brought to Jesus for prosecution. The guys who had her case were not relenting until they hear the verdict of a judge who seemed to have some authority, Jesus. Their expectations were unmet since they were ready to lynch her for her evil shameful acts. But the Lord seemed to pass-over her life and overlook it, by asking them to throw the first stone if they were innocent. This story portrays the love of Jesus in the middle of accusations, that He forgave Mary. This woman, in recognition of what the pass-over had done for her, would hardly leave the grave of Jesus when He was crucified. Her love for Jesus is seen when she insisted to know for a truth whether the angel’s words were a reality. She asked Jesus without her knowing it was Him, “Where have they hidden my Lord?” The question was directed to Jesus who was alive, and until she heard Him call her name, she was not willing to let go of the perceived gardener till he explained the disappearance of her Lord. It surprised me that Mary would refer to a dead Jesus as Lord. Mary was a recipient of Jesus’ love which may be named an early Passover, where instead of death, she had received love. Why insist on Passover celebration? Forgiveness of sin Paul admonishes that they have no condemnation who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1-2. Sin separates men from God, and brings condemnation eternally. The penalty for sin is death, which means that those who are outside of the saving grace are condemned already. There needs to be no trial since the outcome will be death sentence. However, Jesus suffered as a sinner, so that those who accept Him can reign with Him, and have eternal life. Mary Magdalene had just been rescued from death from people who had determined to give her what she actually deserved. However, meeting Jesus as the judge changed her whole story, and assured her of renewed conscience. Passover meant that another died on behalf of the sinner, and the sinner was free from the death sentence. This is a great reason to celebrate Passover today. Peace with God When Adam and Eve fell, they affected the whole human race with their genes of sin. There was loss of fellowship with God, resulting in strained communication. The earlier priesthood in Levitical order was a gracious way provided by God in which to relate with Him through human mediation. However, in all their perfectness, none could satisfy the Father in fullness in being a real mediator. Jesus’ part was to fulfil the role of a mediator/reconciler between God and man with a hope of restored relationship. Paul refers to Jesus as the second Adam, as the mediator of the New Covenant. Therefore, celebrating peace with God means highly viewing Passover today. Peace with one another Passover is a time when one is required to be loving to God by remembering the sacrifice he gave for humanity. The love for God can never be complete if it has not been exercised on the neighbor we can see. Celebrating Passover should prompt in every believer the desire to be reconciled to the neighbors whom they never talk to. Being called the sons of God is a privilege which is incomplete without the fellow believers. It means then that believers need to put efforts in reconciliation among themselves as a result of the Passover. Reconciling the world to God The highest of this reconciliation is when believers notice that the rest of the world stands condemned without a relationship with the Father through Jesus. Not only do believers need to restore lost relationships with one another, but advocate for the world to be reconciled with God in obeying the Great Commission. There are various ministries that serve the purpose of the Great Commission in Kenya. These include, churches, EAK, LIFE Ministry, LIFE Challenge, Global Outreach Day, and many others where believers can join the rest of the laborers in the harvest field Matthew 9:35-38. This privilege of reconciling the world to God must be celebrated and encouraged by believers all over the world during the Easter season. There is a practical way in which believers can engage the world around them in sharing the gospel. For example, in May this year, there is a global effort to encourage all believers to get involved in reaching out to at least one person per week with the gospel. Wherever you are as a born again Christian, it is your work to bring many people into the kingdom of God, and make the Passover celebration a reality. Materials for evangelism and discipleship are available on the website of www.go2020 where you can participate in a global obedience to the command of Christ, as well as getting in touch with the above mission organizations through their website. Conclusion We only love because He first loved us. Jesus became sin so that men could be reconciled to God thereby replacing the Levitical order of sacrificing bulls and sheep in atoning for sin. He rescued the human beings from sin which plagues them. God’s way of restoring man to Himself is by offering grace for the sinner. Our task is to seek to be reconciled with one another as well as with God, plus bringing this reconciliation to others. May we be found faithful ministers of reconciliation to help others to know the forgiving God this Passover season.