Today is a day of celebration! Amen? Today we celebrate our Risen Lord!
There are may ways to say it: Happy Easter! Happy Resurrection Day! Happy Passover!
Because this year is a bit different, not just because of the current pandemic situation, but also because this year Resurrection Day falls right in the middle of Passover. As I’m sure many of you know there is a partnership of great significance between Passion week/resurrection and the Hebrew Passover feast.
On Resurrection Sunday we celebrate the fact that Christ was raised from the dead. And Passover Does a great job of explaining not just the deliverance of Israel from Egypt in the natural sense, but also, the spiritual aspects of God’s deliverance of all believers from the bondage of sin and judgment made possible by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Allow me to set the scene.
Luke chapter 24 paints for us a picture of the tomb. The women went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus with the spices that they had prepared. As they approached the tomb, they notice that the stone that had covered the entrance of the tomb had been removed and the body of Jesus was not there. Suddenly, they found themselves in the presence of what appeared to be angels.
In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” 8 Then they remembered his words.
Luke 24:5-8
Church, the tomb is empty and that is why we celebrate today. But what exactly does this mean for us today? This is where we can draw on the Old Testament for illumination.
As we look though the Passover tradition, It is my prayer today that together we will see Jesus the Passover Lamb more clearly and we will hold close to our hearts the work of the Holy Spirit as we connect with each other and with Christ in His death, His burial, and His
resurrection. Let’s move into our main text and see what God has for us today.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.
1 Corinthians 15:3-5
I’ve broken this down into three parts or points that will help us along the way.
Jesus Is The Passover Lamb
…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3
According to the scriptures, Pastor, what scriptures are we talking about here? I’m so glad you asked. We are talking about the Old Testament scriptures (the only one available at the time).
Surely, he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to
Isaiah 53:4-6
our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Jesus took upon himself our sin and affliction to pay the penalty for us and his blood is the sign of this covenant. Now according to the Passover narrative, in Exodus 12 we see two reoccurring elements throughout the story. We see the unleavened bread/ the bread made without yeast and the Passover Lamb, whose blood was applied to save them from death and
judgement. This is Passover or The Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs. 8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.
Exodus 12:7-8
While the eating of the bitter herbs is to symbolize the bitter harshness of their reality as slaves, the main focus remains on the bread and the blood of the lamb. The bread was to be made without yeast because the yeast was to symbolize sin and affliction. Whereas, the lamb who was without defect and innocent was to be slain for the protection of the Israelites against the plague of death and the judgement of the wicked in Egypt. The deliverance of Israel during the Passover has everything to do with God preparing his
people for freedom by the sacrificial death and the covering of sin.
In light of Jesus Christ we can see the foreshadowing the new covenant. Just like Moses leading God’s people out of Egypt we can see Jesus leading all believers into a new covenant in His blood that will bring the forgiveness of all sin. Moses forewarns the Israelites:
The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.
Deuteronomy 18:15
In short period of time God established the animal sacrifice in which the blood would cover the sins of the people. God is bringing his people around to make his point that humanity is incapable of saving themselves. We are people that are afflicted with sin and the wickedness of this world. And the thing we need most of all is a savior… We need Jesus! Each time God Bring deliverance it is more complete and more telling than the last. In this ancient time the blood is to cover over the sin, But look at this… John the Baptist had this to say…
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29
Jesus is the complete and final sacrifice to remove/not just cover over the sin of our world. Jesus is the reason we celebrate; his resurrection is the foundation of all that we hope for and all that we believe.
For us today this means that God has seen your life, He has seen your pain, and He has seen your affliction. Along with this God has seen your sin. Fortunately, God’s heart has also been broken for you. And in his love and mercy He sent His son Jesus to die in our place. Just like the lamb He was slain, and his blood was to cover your life so the destroyer would not be permitted to enter. With Jesus, we have died to sin and are born again in the new covenant of his blood. Through his sacrifice He has defeated death, Hell, and the grave and has been exalted to the righthand of the Father. In him, we have been made righteous and have eternal life. I’m here to tell you church that today when you sit at home watching your sermon online,
THE TOMB IS EMPTY!
“He will come” broken, striped, pierced. Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures.
Jesus Is The Resurrection
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
1 Corinthians 15:4
According to the scriptures/the Old Testament. It was foretold that the Messiah would be buried and raised the third day.
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.
Hosea 6:2
Church this is not just about Him but it is always about what God is doing for His people. Jesus is the resurrection because He Himself is raised, but also because he has given us new life. After two days he will revive us. The word here used as revive come from a primitive Hebrew root meaning; alive should not live, came to life, give life, or healed.
Jesus comforts Martha the sister of Lazarus. Now Lazarus has been dead for 4 days and the Jews believed that after three days the spirit leaves the body. For Mary and Martha, the scene seemed hopeless. Mary says, “if only you were here earlier.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26
The Passover celebrates God and the Miracles done through Moses as Israel
is rescued from Egypt. They are given new life and a new purpose in the kingdom of God. This is a sign or foreshadow of the resurrection life all believers will have in Christ Jesus. All according to the scriptures.
The Passover tradition uses the symbolism of a cup set aside for Elijah. The one who is to declare the coming Messiah. Elijah’s cup is a symbol of the expectation of the coming Messiah.
“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.
Malachi 4:5
John{the Baptist} replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
John 1:23
On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus with his face shining and bright clothes talking to Moses and Elijah. Jesus tells His 3 disciples in confidence…
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Matthew17:9
Jesus is the resurrection, conferring in glory with the Patriarch Moses and Elijah the prophetic forerunner to his coming.
Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
Matthew 17:11-13
What this means for us today is that is this: Because Jesus Christ is risen, we can have full faith in knowing that he will raise us too. Remember in accordance with the scriptures, Church! This is not just my opinion or the ramblings of the breaded guy online. But the truth according to the scriptures and celebrated as a lasting ordinance, in Jesus’
name!
Jesus has made away for you and me to be alive in his presence! Let’s get excited, church!
And I’ll move on to my final point.
Jesus Is Alive And Is Making Himself Known
and that he appeared to Cephas {which is Peter}, and then to the Twelve.
1 Corinthians 15:5
In Matthew 28 and Mark 16, and Luke 24 Jesus showed himself to the 2 Marys and then later to is disciples just as he had said. John’s gospel chapters 20&21 Jesus revealed himself to the disciples 3 times.
And the Apostle Paul reports…
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:6
…A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Deuteronomy 19:15
Here the Lord uses an untold number of witnesses.God is not hiding from you. This is not a game of spiritual hide and seek. He wants the world to know that he came to save them. He wants everyone to celebrate the Passover He wants everyone to celebrate His resurrection. For those who are in Christ Jesus have eternal life. It’s time to celebrate, Church!
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Revelation 3:20
This is an open invitation to receive your free gift of salvation. This is an open invitation to receive Jesus, to be close with him. Like a friend you would share a meal with, and He’s buying. Jesus commanded us in…
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
He says, “go all over the world and tell everyone about me. Tell them all that I taught you and remind them that I will always be with you.”
Today and every day Jesus is your Passover Lamb. Today and every day Jesus is your Risen Savior. Yes, we want to take time through the year to remember all of the things that God has done for us. It is a lasting ordinance for all those who believe.
John 20:30-31—Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Today, I have done my best to present Jesus the Lamb of God who died in our place so that we could have eternity with God. Now is your chance to believe, will you open your heart to Jesus today? I believe He is coming back soon. Jesus is coming back soon, friends.
Will you open your hearts today and receive what God has for you? Will you ask Him to Help your unbelief today? Many of you need a fresh touch from God today.
There’s some form of deadness or bondage in your life or your relationships today and God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life. You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to resurrect this in your life. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late. It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today.
Will you say yes to Jesus, today?
Will you bow your heads with me?
Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today.
If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here. Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life.
If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family.
Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Remember the Afikomen, “afikomen” is a Greek word that means “He will
come.” As the tradition goes, the broken Matzah that was hidden or buried is searched out by the children and a reward is given.
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. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8
JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE:
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
John 6:51
This Matzah represents the broken heart of Jesus, suffering for our sins. Him taking on the plague of death so that we could be passed over. Broken, striped, and pierced
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
Matthew 6:26
THE CUP OF REDEMPTION
This cup is the cup of the new covenant in his blood. It recalls God’s promise to redeem Israel—”I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.” Therefore, the Cup of Redemption or the Cup of Blessing. This is the cup the Jesus used to symbolize is sacrifice for us as the true Lamb of God.
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:27-28
For whenever you eat of this bread or drink of this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes
1 Corinthians 11:26
“‘“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:22
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’