The Cost of Passover

In this insightful Bible teaching delivered by Matthew Vander Els from Founded in Truth Fellowship, the meaning of Passover is explored beyond its traditional understanding as the commemoration of the Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt. The teaching delves into the profound significance of Passover for believers in Yeshua (Jesus), highlighting it as the pivotal moment when redemption, salvation, and freedom from a deeper slavery were made available to the entire world. By drawing connections between the original Passover and the events surrounding Yeshua’s crucifixion and resurrection, the message reveals the immense cost of this ultimate Passover and its ongoing relevance for our lives today.

The Foundational Passover in Egypt

The teaching begins by acknowledging the foundational importance of the original Passover in Egypt. This event, vividly portrayed throughout Scripture, marked the redemption and salvation of the Israelites from their bondage under Pharaoh. Their deliverance and passage through the waters symbolized a transition to a new status, moving from slavery to freedom. This initial Passover serves as a crucial backdrop for understanding the greater implications of Passover in the context of Yeshua’s life and death.

The Climax of Passover in Yeshua

According to the teaching, the narrative of Passover reached its ultimate culmination approximately 2,000 years ago in the person of Yeshua. On the day of Passover, the symbolism of the sacrificial lamb was eternally redefined. The impact of this event extended far beyond the Israelites, affecting all of creation and ushering in a new era of complete redemption, salvation, and liberation from the slavery of sin for everyone. The speaker emphasizes that before observing Passover, it is essential to reflect on the profound impact and the immense cost of this pivotal event, which he refers to as the manifestation of God’s covenant love.

The Analogy of the Cookies: Understanding Our Contribution to Brokenness

To illustrate the subtle ways in which individuals contribute to the brokenness of the world, the speaker shares a personal anecdote from his childhood involving free cookies at a Harris Teeter grocery store. Initially taking one or two cookies seemed inconsequential, but this gradually escalated to taking many at once. This unchecked greed led to a change in the store’s policy, implementing a system where children had to request a cookie from the baker. The speaker reflects on this experience, realizing that his seemingly small actions contributed to a situation that affected everyone. This story serves as an analogy for how seemingly minor acts of selfishness, such as gossip, lies, hate, envy, and greed, collectively contribute to the pervasive brokenness observed in the world. The speaker asserts that we often fail to recognize our role in perpetuating negative cycles and causing things to not work as they should.

The Crucifixion: The Ultimate Cost of Passover

The teaching then shifts its focus to Luke chapter 23, verse 32, describing the crucifixion of Yeshua alongside two criminals. This scene is presented as the very exaltation of Yeshua as king, fulfilling his own prophecy in Matthew 26:64 where he speaks of sitting at the right hand of God and coming in the clouds of heaven. This enthronement, however, was not through military might or the acquisition of power, but through sacrificial giving on the cross. Despite being urged by various groups – the people, some leaders, soldiers, and a criminal – to save himself, Yeshua remained on the cross to save humanity from a broken heart, a heart characterized by self-service and a willingness to harm others for personal gain. The speaker argues that just as taking “only one cookie” seemed insignificant, so too do individual acts of strife, anger, jealousy, envy, and gossip. However, these seemingly small actions accumulate, contributing to a world marred by brokenness. The crucifixion, therefore, represents the ultimate cost of Passover, where Yeshua took upon himself the weight of all the brokenness and sin of the world. The speaker directly challenges the audience, suggesting that if we contribute to the brokenness of the world, we are also contributors to Yeshua’s suffering on the cross.

The Promise of a Greater Exodus

The teaching references the prophecy in Jeremiah 23 concerning a coming king, the “branch of righteousness” (clearly identified as Yeshua), whose reign would be so significant that people would no longer primarily recall the Lord who brought them out of Egypt. Instead, they would recognize the Lord who ended their exile from His presence. This exile, the speaker explains, mirrors the exile of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, stemming from rebellion against God’s wisdom and the desire to define good and evil independently. While Judah returned to their land after the Babylonian exile, they remained in a state of servitude. The prophecy in Jeremiah 23, therefore, points to a deeper restoration, one that would address the fundamental issue of the broken, self-seeking human heart, enabling a true return to God’s presence.

Application for Everyday Life

• Reflect on your own contributions to the brokenness of the world. Recognize that even seemingly small acts of selfishness and negativity can have a collective impact.
• Embrace the self-sacrificial love of Yeshua. Strive to live a life characterized by giving to others rather than seeking your own interests at their expense.
• Recognize Yeshua as the ultimate Passover Lamb. Understand that his sacrifice is the complete and final redemption from the slavery of sin and death.
• Partake in the “meal” that Yeshua gave. Regularly remember his sacrifice and the new covenant established through his body and blood, allowing it to transform your heart and actions.
• Live as an ambassador of Christ. Share his love, mercy, and grace with the world, actively working to heal the brokenness around you.
• Focus on the greater exodus from exile into God’s presence. Understand that through Yeshua, we have been brought back into relationship with God, and strive to live in accordance with this new reality.
• Teach the full meaning of Passover to others. Emphasize Yeshua’s central role in fulfilling the Passover story and offering complete redemption.

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References

Bible Verses

• Exodus 12
• Matthew 26:64
• Luke 23:32
• Jeremiah 23
• Luke 24:1

Books and Resources

• The Bible by Various Authors