1st Day of Unleavened Bread – 2021, March 28, 2021: www.seachord.org

 

1^st Day of Unleavened Bread – 2021                     March 28, 2021

 Welcome to the First Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 

We are in the season of the Spring Holy Days which starts the beginning of God’s plan for salvation for all mankind and for each of us, personally. We just finish up the service for the Passover and, last night, the Night to be Much Observed.  Today is going to be a review, keep in our mind. 

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 

What do we do at this time, every year, we remove the leavening from our homes, cleaning our homes and vehicles.  We understand the meaning behind our actions, of removing physical and spiritual leaven from our lives. 

Let us turn to the chapter in the Scriptures that covers the Feasts of the Lord. 

 Leviticus 23:1 The LORD said to Moses, 

The Lord is the one we called, Jesus our Messiah, our Elder Brother. 

Leviticus 23:2 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. 

Notice, Jesus said these are my, my appointed festivals and sacred assemblies. 

The first one Jesus mention is the Weekly Sabbath and then the Passover. 

Leviticus 23:3-4 "'There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the LORD.  (4)  "'These are the LORD's appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times:

Notice, Jesus tells us the sabbath rest is a day of assembly. 

Leviticus 23:6 "On the fifteenth day of that month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD. For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread. 

{Notice it say 15^th day of the month, not the 14^th which is the Passover} 

Notice the command by Jesus that we are to east Unleavened Bread 

Leviticus 23:7-8 On the first day that you hold the sacred assembly you are to do no servile work.  (8)  Instead, you are to bring an offering made by fire to the LORD daily for seven days. On the seventh day you are also to hold a sacred assembly during which you are to do no servile work." 

Notice, we are to hold an assembly, which is what we are doing right now. 

Exodus 12:15 You are to eat unleavened bread for seven days. On the first day be sure to remove all the leaven from your houses, because any person who eats anything leavened from the first day until the seventh will be cut off from Israel.

This verse adds a little more information.   We are to remove all the leaven from our homes.  Things we will eat.  Cookies, bread, ice cream cones, baking soda, 3 cans of baking powder, yeast, etc.  Things we will eat.  Use some common sense.  Are going to eat, like tooth paste? 

Hard to be tempted if these items are removed from the home. 

Exodus 12:16 Also, on the first day you're to hold a holy assembly, and on the seventh day you're to hold a holy assembly. No work is to be done during those days, except for preparing what is to be eaten by each person. 

Exodus 12:17 "'You are to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread, since on this very day I brought your tribal divisions from the land of Egypt. You are to observe this day from generation to generation as a perpetual ordinance.

Exodus 12:18 In the first month, from the evening of the fourteenth day of the month until the evening of the twenty-first day of the month, you are to eat unleavened bread. 

How many times does Jesus have to say this, eat unleavened bread

Evening of the 14^th day

What does this mean to you.  When do we start to eat unleavened bread, from Passover through the last day.  This verse adds additional information. 

Exodus 12:19-20 For seven days leaven is not to be found in your houses. Indeed, any person who eats anything leavened, is to be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether an alien or a native of the land.  (20)  You are not to eat what is leavened. You are to eat unleavened bread in all your settlements.'" 

Numbers 28:17-18 You are to hold a festival on the fifteenth day of this month for seven days, during which time unleavened bread is to be eaten."  (18)  "On the first day, you are to hold a sacred assembly. No servile work is to be done. 

Numbers 28:25 On the seventh day you are to hold another sacred assembly for your benefit, on which no servile work is to be done." 

We are to eat, unleavened bread each day during the feast. 

Did Jesus and His parents observed the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread? 

Luke 2:41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 

Luke 2:42-43 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. (43) When they had finished the days {or festival was over}, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 

Notice Verse 43 states, “the finished the days” which meant the Passover and the seven days of Unleavened Bread was over. 

Did Jesus observe the Days of Unleavened Bread as an adult? 

Mark 14:1-2 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. (2) But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people." 

Remember, the Feast of Unleavened Bread is only 7 days long, the Jewish Leadership counts Passover as a day and that makes it 8 days.  Verse 1 and 2 pertain to the planning of Christ’s enemies to arrest Him. 

Mark 14:12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover meal?" 

They were well aware that He would be observing the Days of Unleavened Bread. Verse 12 show how Christ directed His disciples in arranging for the Passover meal. 

Did the Apostles observe the Days of Unleavened Bread after Christ’s death and resurrection?  Doctor Luke wrote: 

Acts 12:3 When he saw how this was agreeable to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter, too. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.     {about 50’s A.D.} 

Acts 20:6 After the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we sailed from Philippi, and days later we joined them in Troas and stayed there for seven days.   {about 55 A.D.} 

Luke uses this reference as an event that was observed by the Church this many years after Jesus resurrection.  Over 20 years later. 

What instruction or command did Paul give Gentiles Christians in regard to observed this festival? 

1 Corinthians 5:6-8  Your boasting is not good. You know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough, don't you? (7) Get rid of the old yeast so that you may be a new batch of dough, since you are to be free from yeast. For the Messiah, our Passover, has been sacrificed. 

(8) So let's keep celebrating the festival, neither with old yeast nor with yeast that is evil and wicked, but with yeast-free bread that is both sincere and true.  {Around 55 or 56 AD} 

Leaving is used as a symbol for sin. 

Matthew 16:6 Jesus told them, "Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!" 

Matthew 16:11-12 How can you fail to understand that I wasn't talking to you about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!"  (12)  Then they understood that he did not say to beware of the yeast used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

There was, and is, nothing wrong with eating things containing yeast at other times, but for the purpose of the Days of Unleavened Bread it was used as a symbol of sin.  Coming out of sin. 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in union with the Messiah Jesus our Lord. 

Upon repentance and baptism, Christ's sacrifice blots out all of one's past sins. When Paul asked if we should continue in sin, what did he answer? 

Romans 6:15-16 What, then, does this mean? Should we go on sinning because we are not under Law but under grace? Of course not!  (16)  Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 

The Apostle Paul wrote about 25 years later to the Church members (Gentiles) in Corinth and told the Christians to observe this festival.  Feast of Unleavened Bread. 

Paul was expressing that as Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us, we should proceed to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Remember, Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles.  

Paul commanded the Corinthian Christians—mostly gentiles—to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. His instructions show that Christians from non-Jewish communities and cultures kept the Days of Unleavened Bread. 

Setting an example for all Christians today, these Jews and non-Jews observed these days in accordance with God's laws. 

Paul tells us that Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead.  The First born. 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (4) and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 

God said Jesus was dead, brought to life as the Firstborn, the first of many in the future. 

Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

Hebrews 12:23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 

Revelation 1:5-6 and from Jesus the Messiah, the witness, the faithful one, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood (6) and has made us a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, be glory and power forever and ever! Amen. 

We went through all these verses and kind of understanding, why are we to eat Unleavened Bread during the feast.  We are to separate from the world but in the world.  There are many reasons, but have covered a number of them. 

Passover night, Jesus said unleavened bread represents His Body and because it was the symbol of rejecting sin of Satan spiritual world.  It is a symbol of choosing Life because of Jesus over sin which leads to death. 

Repeat:  Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

We are the church of the firstborn. 

Have a good Feast of Unleavened Bread, 

As we eat unleavened Bread during the Feast, take these things and think about our lives, our families, friends and mediate about what it really means to us personally.

Ask God to give us the wisdom with His Holy Spirit to grow, to change, to overcome, so we can become more Christ-like in the way we live. 

Enjoy ourselves during the Feast of Unleavened Bread because of the Truths that the Holy Spirit lead us in.

 

Jesus 6 trials: March 27, 2021, www.seachord.org

 

Jesus 6 trials                                       March 27, 2021

The death and resurrection of Jesus is the most important event in the history of the universe.  This is the Bible main theme of the entire Bible. 2/5 of Matthew’s Gospel is concerned with the final week in Jerusalem. 3/5 of Mark, 1/3 of Luke and nearly ½ of John. 

I would like for us to review what happen during the time Jesus was arrested and to His ascension to Heaven. 

***I have added a map of Jerusalem, the numbers before the verses relates to the map I added.  You can compare what happens to Jesus from His beatings and how far they made Him walk on the map from the Scriptures with very little sleep. 

I have a question before we start. No right or wrong answer.  What is the longest you stayed awake.  Overnight, almost 2 days. 

How long was Jesus awake before the Passover Service. 

Tuesday, Day and Evening Time 

{17} Luke 22:7-8 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.  (8)  Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover." 

{1} Now, Jesus is on the Mount of Olives with the disciples, Jesus prays and disciples sleep. 

Luke 22:46 "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." 

Tuesday, Night Time – Nisan 14, After the Passover Service 

{1} Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, after Passover Service.

{2} Judas was leading a detachment of soldiers, and some officials, sent from the Chief Priests, Pharisees, teachers of the law, and elders of the people.
Carrying torches and lanterns, a large crowd armed with swords and
clubs. 

Mark 14:44-46 Now he who was betraying Him had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him and lead Him away under guard."  (45)  After coming, Judas immediately went to Him, saying, "Rabbi!" and kissed Him.  (46)  They laid hands on Him and seized Him. 

·      Jesus said to those who had come for him, "Am I leading    a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture
me?    Saving, “Betrayed by a kiss” is used in our society

·      Every day I was with you; I sat in the temple courts teaching,
and you did not lay a hand on me to arrest me.

·      But this has all taken
place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.

·      Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. 

{3} Jesus 1^st trial, taken to Annas, his home.  

Then the soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials bound Jesus and led him away.    This was illegal to bound Jesus.

They brought him first to Annas {so the priests can gather at Caiaphas home} was considered to be the real high priest by the Jews.  

John 18:12-14 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.  (13)  And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year.  (14)  Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 

{4} Peter denies Jesus first time 

John 18:15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since the other disciple was known to the high priest, he accompanied Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 

John 18:17 The young woman at the gate asked Peter, "You aren't one of this man's disciples, too, are you?" "I am not," he replied.   {1^st denial} 

The High Priest, Annas Questions Jesus 

John 18:22 When he said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Jesus on the face and demanded, "Is that any way to answer the high priest?"      {Illegal to slap a prisoner} 

Jews Illegal trial 

·      The binding of a prisoner before he was condemned was unlawful unless resistance was offered or expected.  Jesus offered none.

·      It was illegal for Judges to participate in the arrest of the accused

·      No legal transactions, including a trial, could be conducted at night.

·      While an acquittal could be pronounced the same day, any other  verdict  had to come on the next day 

{5} Jesus 2^nd trial, taken to Caiaphas home, Jewish leader appointed by Rome. 

John 18:24 Then Annas sent him {Jesus}, with his hands tied, to Caiaphas the high priest.        

·      At Caiaphas home during the night time, the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.

·      Though many false witnesses came forward and testified falsely against him, their statements did not agree.

 

Matthew 26:62-63 At this, the high priest stood up and asked Jesus, "Don't you have any answer to what these men are testifying against you?"  (63)  But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest told him, "I command you by the living God to tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God!" 

·      The high priest tore his Priestly garment; he was never permitted to tear his official robe;

·      If he did not have on his priestly robe, he could not have put Jesus under oath.

·      No prisoner could be convicted on his own evidence

·      The trial under Caiaphas took place in his home rather than the council chamber where it should have been held. 

Matthew 26:64-65 Jesus told him, "You have said so. Nevertheless I tell you, from now on you will see 'the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power' and 'coming on the clouds of heaven.'"  (65)  Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Listen! You yourselves have just heard the blasphemy! 

·      The hatred they have for Jesus shows up now, even more now, saying Jesus is worthy of death. 

·      The physical abuse really starts now. 

Matthew 26:67-68 Then they spit in his face and hit him. Some slapped him, (68) saying, "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you?" 

Mark 14:65 Some of them began to spit on him. They blindfolded him and kept hitting him with their fists and telling him, "Prophesy!" Even the servants took him and slapped him around. 

{6} Peter denies Jesus 2^nd and 3^rd times.  {believe this is right place?} 

Matthew 26:74-75 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.  (75)  Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.   {Remember, Peter was a fisherman, strong body and language} 

{7}  Jesus 3^rd Trial before the Sanhedrin, probably at the Temple council chamber, suppose to be held there for conviction. 

Mark 15:1 As soon as it was morning, the high priests convened a meeting with the elders and scribes and the whole Council. They bound Jesus with chains, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 

Matthew 27:1-2 When morning came, all the high priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put him to death.  (2)  They bound him with chains, led him away, and handed him over to Pontius Pilate, the governor. 

Judas Hangs Himself 

{7}  Matthew 27:1-10 Summary: When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned,
he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the
chief priests and the elders in the sanctuary. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." Then he went away and hanged himself.  

{9} Acts 1:18-19 (Now this man bought a field with the money he got for his crime. Falling on his face, he burst open in the middle, and all his intestines gushed out.  (19)  This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that this field is called in their language Akeldama, that is, "The Field of Blood".) 

{16} Jesus 4^th Trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate at the Hasmonean Palace (most authority said) 

Meanwhile, by now it was early morning {around 6 am?}, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace, Roman governor’s official residence; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 

During Passover, if a Jew entered a house that contained leaven, he or she would be ceremonially defiled and unable to celebrate the feast. Thus Jews would not enter the residence of any Gentile for fear of being ceremonially defiled. 

So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?" 

Jewish leadership claim this is what Jesus has done. 

Luke 23:2 They began to accuse him, "We found this man corrupting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that he is the Messiah, a king." 

Luke 23:4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no fault in this Man." 

John 18:31-32 Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," they objected.  (32)  This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die. 

{8}  Jesus 5^th Trial before Herod Antipas, Ruler over Galilee 

Luke 23:6-7 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean.  (7)  And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. 

Luke 23:10-11 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him.  (11)  Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. 

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long
time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. 

{16, 11}  Jesus 6^th Trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate 

Pilate slowing and reluctantly and fear surrenders to the demands of the Jewish Leadership for Jesus to be crucified.  Judge at the Bema Seat. 

Bema is the Greek word that is typically translated as "judgment seat" in English. It refers to the raised platform from where a ruler would give his judgment in court cases.   (2 Cor 5:10)  

{16}  John 19:15 But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.  {this is a bad saying} 

This happen around noon. 

John 19:14 It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. "Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews. 

John 19:16 Then Pilate handed him over to be crucified, and they took Jesus away. 

{11}  Mark 15:16 The soldiers led Jesus into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters) and called out the whole guard. 

Mark 15:19-20 They kept hitting him on the head with a stick, spitting on him, kneeling in front of him, and worshiping him.  (20)  When they had finished making fun of him, they stripped him of the purple robe, put his own clothes back on him, and led him away to crucify him.

{12}  Luke 23:27 A large crowd of people followed him, including some women who kept mourning and wailing for him. 

Luke 23:33 When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 

{13}  John 19:25 Meanwhile, standing near Jesus' cross were his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 

John 19:26-27 When Jesus saw his mother {around age of 50?} and the disciple whom he kept loving standing there, he told his mother, "Dear lady, here is your son."  (27)  Then he told the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. 

Matthew 27:56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons. 

The parallel passage names Salome, the mother of James and John, as one of the four women; hence, it is generally supposed that Salome was the sister of Mary and the aunt of Jesus. 

Salome was the wife of Zebedee, the mother of the disciples James and John, and a female follower of Jesus. 

This Salome was the one who came to Jesus with the request that her sons sit in places of honor in the kingdom (Matthew 20:20–21). 

Jesus was cousins to James and John, when we realize this, this answer many questions about the family relationship. 

Luke 23:45-46 because the sun had stopped shining. And the curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two.  (46)  Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice and said, "Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit." After he said this, he breathed his last. 

John 19:30 After Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and released his spirit. 

John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 

{14}  John 19:38-39 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.  (39)  Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. 

John 19:40-41 They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths along with spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews.  (41)  A garden was located in the place where he was crucified, and in that garden was a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed. 

Ascension of Jesus to the right side of Our Father in Heaven 

{15} Acts 1:9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 

Luke 24:50-51 Later, he led them out as far as Bethany, lifted up his hands, and blessed them.  (51)  While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven.

Passover: Why do we do it? March 20, 2021

 

Passover: Why do we do it?                       March 20, 2021 

Passover is a memorial day, a very important anniversary day for a Christian Believer.  It is a feast day, but not a High Day.  A review today. 

Exodus 12:14 "'This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a festival to the LORD. You are to celebrate it as a perpetual ordinance from generation to generation. 

Memorial:  something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc., as a monument or a holiday. 

Why should we, as a Christian, observe the Passover?  

Because we are told to. 

Leviticus 23:4-5 These are the LORD's appointed feasts, sacred assemblies that you are to declare at their appointed time.  (5)  "The LORD's Passover is to begin on the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight. 

Convocation just means, a Rehearsal, something called out, assembly, calling. 

Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus, our Lord said why we are to observe the Passover”  

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; (24)  and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."  (25)  In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."  (26)  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. 

As we approach Passover this season, we are to prepare ourselves and our homes.  

How are we to do it?  I think about what the Apostle Paul tells us what the Gospel is, because it applies to this time of year.  We are to remember Jesus death, burial and resurrection, which took place during this time period. 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Now I'm making known to you, brothers, the gospel that I proclaimed to you, which you accepted, on which you have taken your stand,  (2)  and by which you are also being saved if you hold firmly to the message I proclaimed to you, unless, of course, your faith was worthless.  (3)  For I passed on to you the most important points that I received: 

1.   The Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 

2.   he was buried,

3.   he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures: and is still alive! 

Jesus is at the right hand of God’s Throne and on His Own Throne. 

We are to prepare ourselves and our homes as we approach the Lord’s Passover this season. 

Why do we remove leaven from our homes? 

Exodus 12:15 You are to eat unleavened bread for seven days. On the first day be sure to remove all the leaven from your houses, because any person who eats anything leavened from the first day until the seventh will be cut off from Israel. 

Why, so we do not accidently eat something leaven.  We find leavening symbolizes sin and we are to remove it from our lives.  Sin puffs up just as physical leaven puffs up. 

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Your boasting is not good. You know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough, don't you?  (7)  Get rid of the old yeast so that you may be a new batch of dough, since you are to be free from yeast. For the Messiah, our Passover, has been sacrificed.  (8)  So let's keep celebrating the festival, neither with old yeast nor with yeast that is evil and wicked, but with yeast-free bread that is both sincere and true.  {Unleavened Bread} 

What is Leavening? baking powder, baking soda (bicarbonate of soda), yeast, etc.  Something that makes your cooking puff up. 

We always can go to extreme, we check every corner to see if there is leavened products in our homes, but we fail to eat Unleavened Bread for the seven days we are told.  Yes, every day we are to eat Unleavened Bread. 

Exodus 13:6 You are to eat unleavened bread for seven days, and on the seventh day there is to be a festival to the LORD. 

Yes, we are to eat it every day with our meals. 

How are we to prepare ourselves for the Passover? 

1 Corinthians 11:27-29 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks from the cup in an unworthy manner will be held responsible for the Lord's body and blood.  (28)  A person must examine himself and then eat the bread and drink from the cup,  (29)  because whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. 

It is a shame, the word “Unworthy” has been use to put a guilt trip on individuals in the past.  The Greek word means, nonchalant, profaning and regards the celebration as a mere ritual.  If we have the attitude of we have not sinned and become before the Passover, then we could be in an unworthy manner.  

But if we examine ourselves, and find we have come short, then we are the ones that needs to take of the Passover for our Lords Blood to cover our sins and we are then worthy of the Passover.  Self-examination is essential in our walk with the Lord.  It is a lifetime walk of overcoming.  

In our self-examination, we look to see how far we have grown and how much we still need to overcome and to rededicate ourselves to the covenant we have made with God at our baptism and each following Passover Service. 

Yes, we do rededicate ourselves openly to the world at each Passover Service. 

Is it OK to observe the Passover in our homes? 

It is interesting, the disciples did ask Jesus our Lord this very question. 

Luke 22:7-13 Then the day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread came, on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed.  (8)  So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover meal."  (9)  They asked him, "Where do you want us to prepare it?"  (10)  He told them, "Just after you go into the city, a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him into the house he enters (11) and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks you, "Where is the room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?"'  (12)  Then he will show you a large upstairs room that is furnished. Get things ready for us there."  (13) So, they went and found everything just as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal. 

This example of Jesus our Creator that it is OK to observe the Passover in our homes and not in some rented building.  Number of members makes a difference. 

When should the Passover be Observed? 

On what day are we to observe the Passover Services.  There is disagreement among Church of God Church groups, Jewish groups and other Sabbath groups.  On the 14^th or the 15th day of the month.

We know from Scripture that our Creator God set the days to begin and end at sunset or twilight.  

Numbers 9:5 They observed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight, in the Wilderness of Sinai. The Israelis did everything that the LORD had commanded through Moses. 

Also:  Numbers 28:16, Joshua 5:10,  also says Passover is to take place on the fourteenth day of the first month. 

How should the Lord’s Passover be Observed? 

The Jews have a dinner, called, Seder meal, on the 15^th day of the month at evening.  This is how the Jewish Nation observe the Passover today. 

Same time period as we have the Night to be Observed 

We saw that the Lord’s Passover was on the evening of the 14^th, through the Scriptures. 

What do we do during the Lord’s Passover? 

Jesus gives us a command during the Passover Service, if we follow His command, it show we love Jesus. 

John 14:15 "If you love me, keep my commands. 

Notice that this ceremony of washing His disciple’s feet had nothing whatsoever to do with the Old Testament observance of the Passover. 

We look at Scriptures what Jesus did on his final night before His death and resurrection. 

By washing their feet, Jesus was illustrating to His disciples that He had come to earth to serve mankind.  

Foot washing depicts the attitude of humility and service to others that Jesus desires every Christian to have. 

Foot Washing service.  Why do we do it:  This was Jesus command and His example for each of us to follow. 

John 13:4-5 therefore he got up from the table, removed his outer robe, and took a towel and fastened it around his waist.  (5)  Then he poured some water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to dry them with the towel that was tied around his waist. 

John 13:8 Peter told him, "You must never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "Unless I wash you, you cannot be involved with me." 

John 13:12-17 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer robe, he sat down again and told them, "Do you realize what I have done to you?  (13)  You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right because that is what I am.  (14)  So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you must also wash one another's feet.  (15)  I have set an example for you, so that you may do as I have done to you.  (16)  Truly, I say to you with certainty, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.  (17)  If you understand these things, how blessed you are if you put them into practice! 

Why do we take of Unleavened Bread during the Passover Service because Jesus commands it to be done. 

Matthew 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and handed it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it. This is my body." 

This is why we follow this example, Blessed the Bread, brake it in pieces and pass it around, this represents Jesus Body.  

Notice, the Apostle Paul added another command by Jesus: 

1 Corinthians 11:23-24 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,  (24)  and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 

Isaiah 53:5 But 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. 

Luke adds something we may not be aware of before: 

Luke 22:16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." 

Wine service, why this?  Also command and example. 

The wine represents His shed blood of the New Covenant. 

Matthew 26:27-29 Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, (28) because this is my blood of the new covenant that is being poured out for many people for the forgiveness of sins.  (29)  I tell you, I will never again drink the product of the vine until that day when I drink it with you once again in my Father's kingdom." 

The Apostle Paul added something new, added keep doing this in memory of me. 

1 Corinthians 11:25 He did the same with the cup after the supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. As often as you drink from it, keep doing this in memory of me." 

Why read mainly from the Book of John? 

John the Apostle was beloved by Jesus, a family cousin, and know Him probably best of all and he was able write down the final, innermost, personal feeling and desires of our Lord and Creator last time with Jesus shared with the disciples.  

Why sing a song at the end of the service?  

An example that Jesus and the disciples did for us. 

Matthew 26:30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 

Finally, Jesus did not abolish the Passover; He added a foot washing service and merely changed the symbols used.  

Instead of annually shedding the blood of a lamb and eating its roasted body, we are now to use unleavened bread and wine symbols which represent His Body and His shed Blood.