Elevate april3

this holy week we took a look at the Passover.

Passover is a celebration that in general the church has forgotten. We have released a Passover to the Jewish community while we emphasize the resurrection. The fault in this lies on multiple layers but in general by missing out on the Passover we take away a celebration that emphasizes the power of the blood. It was faith in the blood of the Lamb that allowed death to Passover the Hebrews in Egypt. The blood is something that Satan continues to battle against knowing its power. I believe on a spiritual level Satan is quite happy that the church does not emphasize Passover anymore.
The practical level Passover was celebrated by the New Testament church up until the Roman Empire under Constantine. Constantine was used by Satan to destroy much of Christian heritage and unique interactions with God. He made Passover illegal and moved the Resurrection celebration to the same day as a goddess of reproduction with a name that sounds an awful lot like Easter, and is represented by a rabbit.
I know that there are some who do not celebrate Easter because of its secular roots. I believe there is redemptive value in celebrating Easter as a resurrection morning, but I do understand why some would want to deemphasize the Easter celebration. As with most holidays in our western capitalistic society many have found ways to make money on religious holidays, this should also not deter us from an opportunity to focus on such a powerful event.

We focused on the Passover celebration by the king Hezekiah,from 2 Chronicles 29-31. This was a godly king who sought to recapture the worship of God. He recognized the Passover was the most important celebration of the year. Within the first month of his reign as King he started preparation to peer five the temple and bring about the celebration of Passover. Technically he did just about everything wrong. There were not enough priests for the sacrifice.
They moved the celebration back a month because they didn't have enough time to invite everyone.
People showed up who were not purified, and were allowed to celebrate anyway.
After a weeklong celebration they decided to do another one for second week.

Hezekiah's heart is what mattered. He reminds those who he invites think God is gracious and merciful He calls out to God regarding those who are in fewer to forgive them and cleanse them later after Passover, to which God answered his prayer. Hezekiah was a king who recognized the Gods character as one full of compassion / love for his people. He knew that love was not going to get stuck on ritual but would welcome home those who had run away. Hezekiah was noted as a king that sought God with his whole heart. This is what the Passover is really about.

Many Christians have celebrated a Seder meal. They have listened to and participated in the traditions and rituals that the Jewish culture brings to the Passover celebration. But what we see in Hezekiah is that God is not interested in the traditions and rituals around the Passover, He is interested in the heart of those who recognize the power of his blood.