Jesus Kept The Passover

JESUS KEPT THE PASSOVER

St. Mark 14:12 – 16 “And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the Passover?

And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.”

This week marked the beginning of holy week for the Christian community. This week will culminate next Sunday on what is called Easter Sunday.

The passage above from St. Mark 14 bears evidence to the fact that Jesus and His disciples made preparations for and kept the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. It was at this Feast that He instituted the communion of the saints. Showing the disciples how they would in the future keep the Passover feast as well as the serving of the communion in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice that He made for us on Calvary.

If we claim to follow Jesus Christ, we must truly follow all of His examples. We must do as He did and say what He said. We cannot chose to honour Him in a way which He would not approve of. It is said that the highest form of honouring an individual, is to imitate that individual. There is no reference in the bible indicating that Jesus or His disciples; before or after He ascended into heaven kept Easter. Yet we can find references of them keeping the Passover.

Easter is a pagan celebration representing the beginning of the spring season. As we know, the winter season is a cold, dead and dark time when the leaves fall off the trees and there is hardly any greenery. There are a number of individuals who suffer severe depression during this season. Spring comes after winter with new birth and new life. It is just wonderful to see the trees begin to send out new leaves and buds and the flowers bloom. With Jesus Christ’s death and His glorious resurrection it was thought that it would be a good thing to incorporate the celebration of the resurrection of the Saviour into this festival.

On the other hand, the Passover is not a holiday incorporated from some pagan celebration. As Israel we still must keep this festival which was observed by our fore parents and Jesus and His disciples in His day. Even the apostle Paul kept the Passover after he came into the church. The Lord still offers the same protection He did to our fore parents, “And when I see the blood, I will pass over you”. The blood of Jesus Christ applied to our hearts makes us eligible for his divine protection. Besides, this observance has the for ever law attached to it. As long as the earth remains we have to keep this feast. (Exo. 13:17; Eccl. 1:4). Special favour is afforded those who keep this feast. Just as Israel found favour in the eyes of the Egyptians before they left, the Lord still allows those of us who observe the feast to find favour in the eyes of others. (Exo. 12:36) John 4:23 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”

True worshippers do exactly what Jesus did. Are you a true worshipper?