Passover, Tradition, Leaven and Changes

Worship in Spirit and Truth Are you wondering just what the Biblical Christian’s duty is toward this holy day that approaches? Read on!Opinions, it seems, are as plenteous as individual beliefs. It seems every denomination holds to one of two main concepts of Passover. 1) The Jewish frame of reference, i.e., shank bones, bitter herbs, an egg and a prayer (no disrespect intended); and 2) The Christian observation, namely, "The Lord’s Supper". Within these two opposites are many variations and even some who straddle the middle ground attempting to capture and include facets and aspects of each. Although honorable in their own ways, both have little to do with the Scriptural truth of Passover. Are the people of Jehovah to keep Passover? Are we to keep a “Lord’s Supper”? What about an amalgamation of both? Let’s see what the traditions are and how they compare to what the Scriptures say. Many hold to the traditional understandings of “The Lord's Supper” and believe it to be a replacement for Passover. This rite, along with Baptism, is considered to be (what the Catholic Church calls) “sacraments.” They, (the Catholics and her Protestant daughter denominations) teach that these things are essential for salvation (thus the term, “sacraments.”) I certainly wouldn't say they are essential – not without being unfaithful to the clear doctrines of atonement for sin accorded by the blood of Joshua (Jesus) alone. Other denominations, while NOT requiring Eucharist (Lord’s Supper) for salvation, DO require membership in their sects to participate in these rituals. True communion is a deep and broad subject that I will leave to another forum (See question # 120 from my book, The Questions of Jesus, “Where is the Guest Chamber?”).... No longer are we to participate in empty rituals of cups and broken bread, but rather a solemn night of remembrance and worship. No symbols to clutter our thinking and split our congregations, no Jewish fables and traditions to divert us from the truth, the night of His passion has become “the night to be much OBSERVED” "It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations." Exodus 12:42. Soon, we will gather at our dinner tables just as we do every night, but on Passover evening it will be different only in this respect, when we lift our cup (“. . . as oft as ye do this”) we will remember His blood. As we eat our bread, we will recall the Bread of Life that was broken on this very night long ago. Not 3500 years ago, but 2000 years ago. We do not remember a lamb, we remember THE LAMB. The Law has changed in many ways, and Passover is only one of these changes. Don’t be caught participating in Jewish fables. Don’t be intimidated by Protestant or Catholic threats of excommunication. Don’t have a merely symbolic relationship with your Father. Keep the memorial of Christ our Passover. Fare well. Friendly, Think Red Ink Ministries - Don C. Harris Page 4Mentioned in this episode:TRI Radio App