Passover Thoughts

I went with my daughter on an elementary field trip to a farm. One of the activities was watching a sheep get sheared. The sheep didn't fight back, it was as if the sheep knew its shearing was necessary. The sheep submissively allowed itself to be flipped from one side to the other on the ground, while hundreds of children and teachers watched, chattering away indifferently. Seeing the sheep, Isaiah's words about Jesus came to mind, "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 is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." Isaiah 53:7 Jesus was the strongest of us all, yet gave himself a sacrifice for us.

It is interesting that Jesus is the Lamb of God and also our Shepherd. He knows about being a lamb and about going to slaughter. He knows about afflictions and sorrows. He knows how to counsel and help us because of what he went through for us- the perfect Shepherd. 

"For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned- every one- to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:1 ESV

Everything wicked and terrible found its complete opposite and answer in Jesus. Jesus turned upside down the evils that were done to Him. He also turns upside down the evils that we may experience.  Unlike the world that wrongly judged and condemned Jesus to death, Jesus did not come to condemn, but to save- to give new life.  Instead of facing a trial of false accusations alone, like Jesus did, Jesus is our Advocate before the Father. He pleads for mercy for each of us with his own life- though there's plenty we've done wrong and could be accused of. 

Instead of giving us the rightful punishment for our sins, He takes our pain and punishment to bear himself. He took on himself the consequences of our sins and gives us freedom and a new life. He is merciful to those who believe in Him and follow Him. He is full of love, light, mercy, and justice. 

When Jesus prayed, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven," He was the beginning of the answer to that prayer.  Jesus brought the Father's kingdom and will to earth through his selfless sacrifice for us. In Jesus' humble willingness to take on himself our sins and forgive us, we see how Heaven operates. It is entirely different and opposite from the selfishness, pride, and evil corruption so present in our world and its leaders today. Jesus is our perfect example. 

Last fall I was making grape juice. The grapes went into the process perfectly shaped, beautiful blue globes full of sweet juice. When they came out, they were entirely spent, all the juice had been taken out of them. Jesus told us about grapes and wine, to tell us how far his love for us would take him.

At Jesus' last Passover, or the Last Supper, Luke records the following, "After supper, he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you." Luke 22:20 NLT

Jesus knew the terrible ordeal ahead of him. His reassurances and explanations to the apostles were beyond their comprehension until they had witnessed the Lord's death and miraculous resurrection. By the time he had suffered through Gethsemane, the scourging, trial, and crucifixion, Jesus had given everything he could for us. He was entirely spent and completely perfect in his love for us and his Father. 

Isaiah compared Jesus' sacrifice for us to treading the wine press alone. 

"Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save." Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress? I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments and stained all my apparel. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come. I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so my own arm brought me salvation, and my wrath upheld me." Isaiah 63:1-5 ESV 

(Edom the unbelieving nation southeast of Jerusalem, typifies the world in its contempt for the promises of God. Bozrah is Edom's capitol city)

"Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me, oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me." The song, "I Stand All Amazed," captures many of our feelings. 

In our mind, we know the Lord gave his life for us. Yet when challenges come, feeling distant from the Lord, and maybe forgotten is so easy to fall into. The Lord compares our relationship to him as that of a bridegroom and bride- close, protective, watchful. 

It is instructive to see pairs of geese or ducks, and how loyal and protective they are to their partner. A few times I have observed male ducks standing on guard, and protecting their female duck while they eat. They stand watch- looking in all directions, ready to warn of any danger while their mate has her head down, eating. It is tender to see so much courage and dedication in a small duck or bird.

A few days ago,  I was walking and thinking/praying, wondering what to do about personal challenges.  I was feeling off and a bit scattered, and I doubted my ability to receive an answer to prayer. I saw 2 Canadian Geese on my walk. Canadian geese squawk to coordinate their movements as they fly, but this time, they weren't moving; they were mostly standing in one place, and one was squawking at the other. They were just a few feet apart- one on a tiny hill and the other just below it. I wondered what message the goose on the little hill was trying to communicate to its partner below; it was obviously standing guard. The other goose looked relaxed, although it couldn't see the other one. It had its head down, eating young spring grass. As I watched them for a minute, wondering what their squawking communications meant, the thought came, "It means, "I am here. I am close by." As those words came into my mind, they hit my heart. It felt like the Lord's message to me. The challenges are there, but the Lord is close by watching over you and me, and it will be OK. He speaks to us not because we have earned it, or are worthy, but because of who He is. He is our Shepherd. 

Jesus stands watch over us- He is much closer than we can see. If we are listening, we'll hear his reassurances that He is near, He is close by and protecting us. How much comfort Jesus' presence brings! The geese standing watch for each other also made me think of when Jesus asked his disciples to stand watch while he prayed in Gethsemane. How much Jesus needed someone to stand watch with Him that night as he prayed and made intercession for our sins. He must have known the terrible events that lay ahead of him and would have drawn comfort from the presence of his friends. Though Jesus was left alone when He needed it most, Jesus is always willing to walk with us and guide us through our challenges.

Worldly chaos and trouble increase, but we can rest in His care- knowing Jesus is watching over us. The Lord will send encouragement and reassurance that He is near. Having given all for you on the cross and in Gethsemane, Jesus is close by, still loving and protecting you. We find many personal reminders that our Lord who loved us enough to leave his throne on high, is still close by and aware of every doubt and trial in our lives. His love for you has not changed- you were worth it to Jesus at the cross, and you're still worth it to Him today. 

"All heaven will praise your great wonders, Lord . . . For who in all of heaven can compare with the Lord?  . . . You rule the oceans. You subdue their storm-tossed waves. . . The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours: everything in the world is yours- you created it all.  . . . Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth go before you. Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. They exult in your righteousness. You are their glorious strength. It pleases you to make us strong. Yes, our protection comes from the Lord, and he the Holy One of Israel, has given us our king." Psalm 89:5-18 NLT