So here we are……..It’s April 2020 and we are in our homes, behind our doors.  The Passover has begun and there’s a parallel we can’t ignore.

Before the Israelites left the bondage of slavery in Egypt, they were to celebrate the First Passover.  It would happen at twilight on the 14th of Nisan. On our calendars this year, that date was at twilight on April 8, 2020.  But the entire Feast of Passover lasts for 7-8 days so the last day of observance will be April 16, 2020 at sundown.

THE FIRST PASSOVER

God instructed Moses and Aaron, and told them exactly what to do to prepare for the Passover:

“Tell the whole community of Israel that on the 10th day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household….. the animals you choose must be year old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the 14th day of the month (14th of Nisan), when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.  That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast (unleavened bread)….. this is how you are to eat it; with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.   On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”  EXODUS 12: 3-12

You can see from the verses that God would only spare those who had the blood of the lamb on their doors.

An interesting fact to note is that there would have been a basin at the bottom of the door to catch the blood of the sacrificed lamb.  The slaying of the lamb at the First Passover would have been done right at the door. 

Exodus 12:21,22

“Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.  Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood IN THE BASIN and put some of the blood on the top and on the sides of the doorframe.”

To me this idea of the basin at the bottom of the door speaks volumes.  It shows the entire door would have been sealed from top to bottom!  When the Israelites were behind the door they were completely covered by the blood of the lamb. The Angel of Death could not touch them.

Also the sacrifice was done right at the door.  These two things foreshadowed Jesus Christ, who would die as the sacrificial lamb on Passover. His blood would seal the deal for those who receive him as Savior.

Ephesians 1:13 says, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a SEAL, the promised Holy Spirit.”

I am getting goosebumps as I type this because I can see the doorway to life that Jesus created for me. I am forever sealed by the Holy Spirit, which is my guarantee of what’s to come- eternity with Jesus.  There is no gap in this seal.  It covers me from head to toe, just like the door was covered – the top, sides and the bottom.  Can you wrap your mind around this?  Once you receive Christ the door is open for you! His blood is what opens the door!

What’s also amazing about the verses of Exodus 12:22, 23 is that hyssop was used to paint the doors with the blood.  Hyssop was an important plant when it came to cleansing. If we look at Leviticus 14: 4-7  we see hyssop and blood are used in the ceremonial cleansing of a leper.  Numbers 19  shows that hyssop was also used to cleanse someone who had touched a dead body.

We also read about hyssop in Psalm 51 where King David pours his heart out to God. He is asking for God to cleanse him after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband Uriah killed.   David says,

“Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

Hyssop is tied to cleansing from “uncleanness”, sin and even death.

Fast forward to the New Testament and we see Jesus at his crucifixion:

John 19:28-30 says, “Jesus said, ‘ I am thirsty.’ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on the stalk of a hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink he said, ‘It is finished.‘ With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

It is no coincidence that Jesus is given vinegar on a sponge placed on the stalk of a hyssop plant. This act signified the cleansing of all sin. We learned in earlier scriptures that hyssop was used to cleanse lepers. A leper was considered unclean and cut off from society. They were outcasts.  Jesus’ death cleansed us of even the worst offenses, and he took our place as the outcast. He endured six hours of being the outcast, hanging for all to see on the cross.

Don’t  forget that hyssop was used to paint the Passover doors with blood. The hyssop being used at Jesus’ crucifixion points to the Lamb of God being the Passover sacrifice for all who receive his redeeming blood.

TETELESTAI: PAID IN FULL

Also did you notice Jesus said “it is finished” after he was given vinegar with the hyssop?  The word being used for “it is finished” is the Greek word tetelestai.  This is no ordinary word. It is an accounting term which meant a debt was PAID IN FULL.  After tasting the vinegar on the hyssop stalk with the sponge,  Jesus said to all who would receive him as Lord and Savior, “I HAVE PAID YOUR DEBT. YOUR ACCOUNT BALANCE IS ZERO.”  Hyssop was used to cleanse even those who had touched a dead body.  Here was Jesus giving his LIFE for you! He was cleansing you from the sting of death!  From the Passover lamb to the King of Kings who paid it all for you, this hyssop reminds us there is nothing in us that Jesus can’t cleanse.  Hallelujah!

THE TIMING OF THE PASSOVER SACRIFICE POINTS TO JESUS

Even more telling is the timing of Jesus’ death.  The slaughter of the Passover lambs began at 3:00 p.m. on the 14th of Nisan.  The Bible says Jesus died at the 9th hour, which is 3:00 p.m.

Matthew 27:46 records, “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'”    Then by verse 50 Jesus cries out, and gives up his spirit.

In Mark 15:34-37, it records the same timing.  It states it was the 9th hour when Jesus gave up his spirit, which would be 3 p.m.

Even when it wasn’t Passover, the evening sacrifice of the lambs occurred at 3 p.m.  Jesus died at the same time as these daily sacrifices.

During Passover, they stayed behind the DOOR

It’s important to note that the Israelites were not to leave their homes the evening of the Passover.  They were to eat the meal inside their homes, and they were to stay safely behind the blood stained door until morning.

“None of you shall go out of the door of house until morning. When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.” Exodus 12:22, 23.

There are layers of meanings to us as Christians.  We already know the blood of the lamb, Jesus, is what saves us, and guarantees our spot in eternity with Jesus. But, what about here on earth? We have to live here until eternity comes.  What about those times of fear and distress? What about this COVID-19 epidemic?

PSALM 91 AND COVID-19

Well, notice the scriptures say to stay behind the blood stained door while the Angel of Death passed over. This reminds me of Psalm 91, which says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High, dwells under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”  The idea of a dwelling reminds us of a door because dwellings have doors.  But, if our dwelling is with Jesus, we have nothing to fear.

Notice in just the first two verses of Psalm 91, it mentions God four times! It also says, “whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High”.  This means God’s protection is over those who dwell with him. The fact that God is mentioned four times in those verses should make us pay attention.

The first word for God being used in Psalm 91 is THE MOST HIGH.  This is the Hebrew word ELYON.  This word means a SUPREME MONARCH. This means God is supreme over all things- HIM AND ONLY HIM.  This word gives us the idea of an ELEVATED KING.  If we look at Genesis 14:18 we will see this word being used to describe the time when Abraham met Melchizedek. If you have studied scripture you know that  Melchizedek is a shadow of Jesus.

The second name being used in Psalm 91 is THE ALMIGHTY.  This word in Hebrew is SHADDAI.  This word SHADDAI refers to a powerful God who can provide for every need we have.  God is full of mystery and his ways are not our ways, but nonetheless he is the only one who can sustain us.

The third name being used is THE LORD.  Now this is fascinating! Keep in mind that Psalm 91 is in the Old Testament and wherever you see “THE LORD” in the Old Testament   it means “God’s name.” However, there is a catch.  God’s personal name could not be pronounced or spoken in the Old Testament days. In fact, there were four letters in God’s unpronounceable name.

God’s true spoken personal name had not been revealed yet in the Old Testament.  Whenever the Jews wanted to refer to God they would use names such as “Elohim”, “Hashem” or “Adonai”. According to Jewish rabbis, the actual name of God could only be spoken by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement. But, there is no written evidence of how the name was pronounced or spoken.

Many people have tried to give God a personal name by saying YAHWEH by using the English transliteration of the Hebrew letters which is YHWH. Between these letters they will add in English vowels.  But keep in mind that there are no written vowels in the Torah.  If you look up “the Lord” in Strong’s Concordance or the Blue Letter Bible you will see these 4 letters (seen above in the pic) listed as Jehovah. But this is done because it’s a way to TRY to pronounce the word for his name. But those letters cannot be pronounced. Jehovah is just another way to guess at the pronunciation, but God intended for his personal name to be unpronounceable………..that is UNTIL…..……the New Testament.  This is where we now learn the name that saves- WHAT IS THAT NAME?  JESUS!  In Hebrew his name is YESHUA which literally means SALVATION.  His name is pronounceable and it has GREAT POWER!  You can speak it and proclaim it all day long and you can certainly speak it out when you are in trouble, or facing viruses like COVID-19.

JESUS IS THE HIGH PRIEST

And what’s amazing is that we know Jesus is our HIGH PRIEST.  He also declares us a kingdom of priests so guess what?  Of course we can speak his personal holy name JESUS- YESHUA!  The High Priest was the only person who could meet with God in the Temple before Jesus came and died as the Passover lamb. When Jesus died, the veil was torn- the door opened- and we have access through our High Priest Jesus!

Do you understand what I’m saying?  The name of the PASSOVER LAMB- THE REDEEMING BLOOD, IS JESUS! His name is the DOOR TO HEALING AND PROTECTION! His name has been revealed! If you want the door to healing in your life- both physical and spiritual, just call on his name- JESUS, THE PASSOVER LAMB.

Of course we know Jesus is referred to by other titles such as the LAMB OF GOD,  THE GOOD SHEPHERD, KING OF KINGS, WONDERFUL COUNSELOR,  PRINCE OF PEACE, SON OF MAN, HOPE OF ISRAEL, THE BRIGHT MORNING STAR, FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD, THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE, THE GREAT I AM……..ETC.   These are all names we can use for Jesus because they tell us exactly who he is and what he does for us. So of course use those also!   But, isn’t it awesome to see how God’s personal name all along was referring to his Son Jesus! Call on that name!!!  People are often shy about using his name! Why? It is the name God revealed to us for salvation! Use it, use it use it, especially now during this COVID-19 epidemic.

ELOHIM

The fourth name being used in Psalm 91 is MY GOD and the word being used is Elohim.  We first see Elohim being used in Genesis 1:1 where it says, “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” If you are reading the Bible and you see the word God being used instead of “the Lord” then likely the word being translated is Elohim. Now what’s fascinating here is that Elohim means the ONE WHO IS FIRST, but it also is a plural word.  This idea of plurality seen in the Old Testament points to the Trinity- God the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit in one! Elohim also refers to the Creator and Judge of the Universe.

Elohim is also used in Genesis 1:26 where it says:

Then God (Elohim) said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

This fourth use of God in the first verses of Psalm 91 remind us that Jesus, (through the Trinity) is the first and the last. He created all things. He is the only Judge.

This should bring believers great comfort knowing Jesus has control over all things, including pandemics.

MORE PSALM 91

The next verses of Psalm 91 get very specific when they say:

“Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from deadly diseases, He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.”  Psalm 91:3,4

The dwelling of God has a door and his name is JESUS! Yes, he is the Passover door! The Angel of eternal death will pass you over if you are in Christ!  While you live on planet earth, you will be protected from all sorts of traps and diseases simply because the blood of Jesus covers you.  You have no idea how many times your life has been spared. Often we are not aware of these times when Jesus has protected us, or dispatched angels to give charge over us.

I’m not saying you are never going to get sick.  I’m not saying you will never experience tragedy.  What I’m saying is that you do not have to live in fear because you can trust that whatever comes your way has to be cleared by the Sovereignty of the Father in heaven.  The blood of his Son covers you when you dwell with him.  Even if a virus lingers over your city, you can rest assured that Jesus has the very hairs on your head numbered.  He has your times in his hands.

I want you to see something amazing that just occurred to me as I was reading the Word of God at Passover, as we are remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection.

JOHN 19 AND COVID 19

As I was reading the story of Jesus’ crucifixion, I realized I was in the Book of John, CHAPTER 19.  Throughout chapter 19 I am reading about the events leading up to Jesus’ death and burial as the Passover lamb.  In that moment the 19 jumped out at me and the fact that this year we are celebrating the Passover during this COVID-19 pandemic.  We are behind our doors. Those of us in Christ are literally sealed behind our doors by the blood of the Passover lamb- Jesus’ blood.  John 19 speaks of this sacrifice and the path to the cross our Savior took to seal us.  John 19 is what you should read to remind yourself  that while COVID-19 is sweeping the world, our Savior Jesus died for the sins of the world. He overcame it all for us.  JOHN 19 SLAYS COVID-19 ! Also, this pandemic is a wake up call to all those who don’t know Jesus.  It’s time to open the door for him to come in.

I would make it a habit to plead the blood of Jesus over your doors- not just during this pandemic, but each and every day!  Say it out loud.  This is what I say: “I plead the blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who came in the flesh and died on the cross and resurrected from the dead. I plead it over my doors, home and family.”    Do you notice how specific I am?  Well, a fantastic, amazing friend of mine told me it’s important to say exactly who Jesus is! When we say all those things we are letting the enemy know without a shadow of a doubt the we are referring to the one and only Jesus Christ.

EXODUS 19 AND COVID-19

Another thing I noticed was EXODUS 19.  This is where God meets with the Israelites on Mt. Sinai.  In verses 1- 6 God tells Moses, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen how I carried you out on eagles’ wings and brought you out myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all the nations you will be my treasured possession…..you will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'”

So here we see 19 again, but in these passages God is saying if you keep his covenant, you will be a kingdom of priests, as well as holy.   We know that once we are saved by Christ we enter into his covenant, which makes us part of the unshakable kingdom.

EXODUS 19:18 says “Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire.  The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.  Then Exodus 19:19 says “And the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.”

We see in Exodus 19:19 (see the double 19’s?) that the trumpet sounds. By the way, the trumpet is God’s voice! The trumpet is also God’s reminder to repent. When the shofar sounds, it awakens us to repent.  Even more amazing is that we know Jesus will return at the sound of the last trump!  1 Corinthians 15:52

COVID-19: What’s in a number?

Some people think numbers are numbers. But, do you know who invented numbers? GOD! He is the grand mathematician.  What I see in all these verses is God’s covenant through his Son Jesus.  When I think of COVID-19, I look back on these other 19’s in the Bible and it reminds me JESUS is sovereign.  He is sovereign over the events of the world and he is certainly sovereign over pandemics. If I can digest this truth, I will not fear what I cannot control.  I have a sovereign God who controls it.  I am behind the Passover door dwelling with my Savior and that’s all I need to remember and meditate on! Of course, don’t forget the reverse of 19 is 91.  Psalm 91 is the psalm of protection under Jesus’ wings.

JESUS DEATH AND BIRTH AT PASSOVER

I’m going to show you something that may throw you off because although most of you know Jesus died at Passover, you may not realize it is possible he was born at Passover! I know, you are thinking, “Jesus was born in December- at Christmas!”  Actually, most biblical scholars know he wasn’t born at Christmas even though it is the time of year set aside to celebrate it.  This date is not listed in the Bible but there are clues as to the time of year it likely happened.

I used to think Jesus was born in the Fall at the Feast of Trumpets, or the Feast of Tabernacles.  But recently I came upon some fascinating information I couldn’t ignore and now I am inclined to believe he was born at Passover.  Keep in mind that the Israelites were celebrating Passover for at least 1500 years before Jesus was born. The feast continues to be celebrated up to this very day.  It’s been celebrated for 3500 years since the Exodus!

The key to understanding the timing of Jesus’ birth is by paying attention to the clues in the scriptures.  For instance, if we look at Luke 2:8 it says:

^“And there were shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks at night.”

The shepherds were in the fields keeping watch AT NIGHT.  This is a HUGE CLUE!  Did you know the only time shepherds would be out in the fields even at night is in the Spring when lambs were born? Those shepherds would not be in the fields in the winter!  Likely, these shepherds who the angels appeared to, would have been priestly shepherds who were in charge of birthing Passover lambs in Bethlehem. They may have kept watch from a place called The Tower of the Flock, also known as Migdal Eder. When lambs were born, they would have been wrapped in strips of linen.  This was to keep them from getting blemished.  Remember when the shepherds were told:

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

It would be a sign because the Passover lambs would be born and then wrapped in strips of linen cloths!  Jesus would also be wrapped in strips of cloths.  The newly born lambs would be placed in a stone manger to protect them after they were born!  Jesus would also be placed in a manger.  These strips would not be ordinary strips of cloth.  They would have been worn out priestly garments that had been shredded.  The priests would have worn them in the Temple, and once they were no longer “wearable” they would have been used as wicks for the Temple menorah!

Isn’t that amazing? Jesus is the Light of the World and at his birth he is wrapped in priestly garments that would have been used for the Temple’s menorah. Keep in mind that Mary’s cousin Elizabeth was married to a priest! Elizabeth knew Mary was carrying the Messiah! She could have easily given Mary the strips of linen from the priestly garments.  Our High Priest Jesus was wrapped in the cloths worn by the priests of the Temple.  Wow!

I know we were brought up believing Jesus was born in a stable, but if you look at the historical evidence, it is more likely he was born at the Tower of the Flock, or in a cave.  There were caves in Bethlehem used specifically for birthing sacrificial lambs. These lambs would be wrapped in strips of linen to protect them from blemishes.  Caves were dark, rough places, so the lamb’s delicate body had to be protected.  Sacrificial lambs could not have blemishes.

Keep in mind that birthing lambs in biblical times was done on a cycle.  This is not something that happened all year! Passover Lambs are only born one time of the year- in the months of March/April, or on the biblical calendar it would be Nisan.  When is Passover celebrated?  In the Spring, or Nisan (March/April).

Jesus is the LAMB of GOD and it makes sense that shepherds would witness Jesus’ birth- seeing him lying in the manger like a Passover lamb.

Bethlehem was the place where the lambs for the Temple sacrifice would be born.  We know Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which means HOUSE OF BREAD.  We also know Jesus is referred to as the BREAD OF LIFE, or the unleavened bread.

Here’s something else to ponder. If we read Exodus 12:5 says, “The animals you choose must be year old males without defect.”

This detail is ASTOUNDING! Why? Well, this means PASSOVER LAMBS WERE BORN AT PASSOVER AND DIED AT PASSOVER!  How do I know this? Well, we know lambs are birthed at Passover season. The Passover lambs are birthed in Bethlehem.  We also know the lambs used for Passover had to be ONE YEAR OLD.  So that means the lamb was born at Passover and exactly one year later that lamb would be………ONE YEAR OLD AT PASSOVER!

Looking at this detail we can see how it is possible that JESUS COULD HAVE BEEN BORN ON PASSOVER AND DIED ON PASSOVER.  The reason these details have been lost to us as Christians is because we have remained separate from the Jews for so long.  We have lost the ties and connections to our Jewish Savior! Whether we want to believe it or not, Antisemitism runs deep in the early church and that is why many of the roots have been lost.  But as the time comes closer to the return of our Savior,  the Lord is making these connections known.

Passover is called one of THE LORD’S FEASTS in Leviticus 23. The word feast in Hebrew is the word MOED.

THIS MEANS APPOINTMENT!  If you have an appointment at the doctor do you miss it? Of course not. So why would we miss appointments with God?  We are not under the law so we are not punished for missing these things, but look how many amazing things we miss out on!  The feasts are meant to be rich connections that teach us about our Savior.

It is still entirely possible that Jesus was born at the Feast of Tabernacles because there is evidence that points to this as well.  Whether it is Tabernacles or Passover, I believe Jesus was born at one of God’s appointed times- during HIS FEASTS.  See Leviticus 23 for a full listing of the Lord’s Feasts.

PASSOVER IS TO BE REMEMBERED

The scriptures also say that Passover is a day to remember forever. It is a day to commemorate.  We remember lots of other holidays that aren’t even biblical.  We should certainly remember a holiday the Lord asks us to commemorate.  Of course, most of us remember what we call Easter, but we aren’t using the right name.  Passover is a seven day feast that includes the Feast of First Fruits- Jesus rose on First Fruits.  It has never been called Easter in the Bible.  Easter is a pagan name tied to a fertility goddess.

It is fantastic to celebrate Resurrection Day- First Fruits- (Easter), but why not also learn about the entire feast of Passover?  I enjoy doing the Passover Seder dinner each year because it reminds me of the full sacrifice and promises of Jesus.  Again, this isn’t something that earns you points or saves you.  What it does is show you the full picture of Jesus as Messiah.   Celebrating Resurrection Day (Easter) is a huge and important part of celebrating Passover. But Passover has many other elements to celebrate and understand that many may not be aware of.

The Birth of Israel; The Birth of Jesus: The Birth of the Church

Passover is an appointment that resulted in the BIRTH OF ISRAEL.  God brought them out  as a chosen people.  Jesus’ death at Passover resulted in the BIRTH OF HIS CHURCH!  Without his birth, then his death and resurrection, the birth of the church could not have happened. We would remain separated from God, and from the Jews.  But, Jesus broke down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, and the veil was torn.  The Jews and Gentiles are on the olive tree together through Messiah Jesus.

JESUS’ RETURN IS RIGHT AT THE DOOR.

I want to briefly share something that happened last year before Passover.  I was in the store and I was looking all around at the items being sold for Resurrection Day (Easter). I could see bunnies and eggs galore.  I even saw llamas and unicorns! I was disappointed because I didn’t see much connection to Jesus as I looked at the items being sold.  Sure, there were a few stuffed lambs, but I just felt like it wasn’t enough. As I was about to walk away I noticed a small section of chocolate crosses.  I was happy to see it, though it was only a small section compared to the mega amounts of bunnies. I prayed to the Lord and said, “It’s not really enough Lord. Resurrection Day should be all about you.”

After this I went to another store.  The same thing happened.  Lots of bunnies, eggs and unicorns, but not much pointing to Jesus.  I thought the same thing again……..it isn’t enough. Before leaving the aisle I glanced to my right and saw a small section of chocolate crosses like I’d seen at the other store.  I thought to myself, “Jesus, this still isn’t enough. Too many bunnies and not enough you.”

A few days later a friend of mine came over for a visit. She sat down and the first thing she said was, “Wow, I had an amazing dream the other night.”  Right away I was interested so I said, “I want to hear all about it.”

She said the dream began and she was in her house. She was rushing about because Jesus was on his way. She said, “In the dream, I knew he was right at the door.  It was the 11th hour and he was on his way.”

When she said this I felt goosebumps. She continued and said she immediately wanted to find a gift to give to Jesus.  She looked all around her house and could not find anything appropriate.  She looked all over, trying to figure out what she could possibly give him. Then, she realized she did have one thing she could give him.   DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS?  CAN YOU GUESS?

I’ll tell you!  IT WAS A CHOCOLATE CROSS!

When she said that I almost fell out of my chair! I never told her about being in the store and seeing the chocolate crosses and thinking they weren’t enough.

Then she looked at me and said, “So I had the chocolate cross to give to him but I didn’t think it was enough.”

Again, I almost fell out of my chair!  “What happened next?” I asked.

“Well, he was at the door and then I woke up!” she said.

Wow, wow wow!  Let me tell you people…….I am floored by how the Lord speaks.  Isn’t he wonderful!  You know what’s interesting about my friend’s dream?  She wanted to give Jesus a gift, but do you know what the GREATEST GIFT we can give to him is?  OURSELVES!  WE CAN GIVE HIM OUR LOVE, OBEDIENCE AND OUR LIVES.  He doesn’t need perfect people. He doesn’t need money. He doesn’t need anything but our hearts!

I hope you remember during the Passover season, and during this unprecedented time of COVID-19, that Jesus loves you! When you look at the closed door of your home, don’t look at it with sadness. Let it remind you of the door that has been opened for you, not closed.  But you have to turn the doorknob to let Jesus in.  Letting Jesus in keeps fears of viruses and calamity out. Letting him in means allowing life to enter.  He died as the Passover lamb to keep eternal death from entering.

I’m going to leave you with perhaps the most Messianic verses in the Bible.  They come from ISAIAH 53.  They describe the suffering servant……..the suffering Passover lamb, who willingly went to the cross for you! When you read these verses written by the Prophet Isaiah hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth, you can see a clear picture of Jesus.  There is absolutely no doubt it is describing him.

I’ve also included a link to Chosen People Ministries where you can get a book called ISAIAH 53 by Mitch Glaser.  He is a Jewish man who came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior. It’s a great book to share with Jewish friends.

 

ISAIAH 53: King James Version

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

² For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers, so he openeth not his mouth.

 

Here is a link if you are interested in receiving a free copy of the book Isaiah 53 by Mitch Glaser.

Shalom!!!!!

 

Resources:

Holy Bible, NIV AND KJV

Jonathan Cahn: Hope of the World Ministries

Hebrew for Christians Ministries

God’s Day Timer by: Mark Biltz

Zola Levitt Minstries

The Feasts of the Lord by Kevin Howard and Marvin Rosenthal

Unlocking the Secrets of the Feasts by Michael Norten

Blog copyright belongs to Angela Rodriguez