Easter 2021 is coming as the greatest opportunity for hope to your family. That’s why I invite you to meditate in this text on the 3 main elements of the biblical celebration that reveals Jesus. May this Easter pour out God’s grace on your home by doing what you cannot do on your own. God’s breakthrough requires only your yes by faith in Jesus.
A few years ago, before we moved to Texas, a friend prepared for our family a goatling in the Brazilian style – amazing! We were in São José dos Campos – SP and we had this promise for a long time. That was one of the best and most memorable meals we’ve ever had. He chose the goatling on the farm where he bought it, killed the animal, and prepared it for us to eat together.
I remembered that meal as I went through Numbers chapter 9 in my Annual Bible Reading plan this week. The Scriptures reports that in the second year after the Israelites left Egypt for the Promised Land, they celebrated Passover exactly as the Lord had commanded. But an unprecedented situation arose.
At that time, some men had become unclean for touching a corpse and, therefore, did not participate in the sacred celebration. However, everyone should participate or those who do not celebrate Easter would be killed. That was the law. They then went to Moses and Aaron, the leaders of the people, who consulted the Lord and gave them the following answer: everyone, without exception, must participate in the Lord’s Passover.
Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If any one of you or of your descendants is unclean through touching a dead body, or is on a long journey, he shall still keep the Passover to the Lord.
Numbers 9:10
3 Original Passover Ingredients
Passover is the most important event for the people of God, first for the Jews and then for all the people. This annual biblical celebration is rich in symbols and meanings. Below we will see how we can enjoy Easter 2021 as a mark of hope to our family.
1. Unleavened Bread: Promptitude
Unleavened bread is the first element to be presented (Ex 12:8). They express the urgency, haste, readiness, that we all need to celebrate the true Passover. Just as the Israelites hurriedly left Egypt, without looking back, you and I need to lay down our hearts now to accept the new that the Lord offers us today.
Without this promptitude, the occasion passes and we miss the opportunity to move towards the best of God for our lives. When Rapha prepares homemade bread for our family, we need to wait for the dough to rise, preferably in a metal bowl inside the turned-off oven. If we want to advance the preparation and bake the bread without the proper growth, the dough gets heavy. But unleavened bread is prepared without yeast, so it does not require any waiting or growing. The Passover offering requires promptitude.
This celebration of the newness of life and reconciliation with God is an invitation that should not be postponed. If your family did not celebrate the Easter of the Lord in 2020, even in full confinement at home, you cannot miss this opportunity now. This is a prophetic and very significant date for the Kingdom of God, and it requires promptitude. So say yes to Jesus by faith and receive today your daily bread.
Give us this day our daily bread
Matthew 6:11
2. Bitter Herbs: Perseverance
Then the Lord talks about the bitter herbs that accompany the Passover meal (Ex 12:8). They refer to courage, persistence, and perseverance until relief arrives. The Bible says that the Israelites were afflicted with hard work and great cruelty on the part of the Egyptians. Likewise, we tire of unpleasant situations that have accumulated in our lives over the years. And Easter presents God’s breakthrough (Ex 1:14).
Every year we are remembered through this celebration of God’s love that makes all things work for our good (Rom 8:18-28). The Israelites not only prepared bricks for Pharaoh but also carried out agricultural work and herded flocks. And all of this was useful to them when their children arrived in Canaan, the promised land. From only pastors, they have become skilled in other activities necessary for their future prosperity as a people.
Similarly, we need to learn the value of perseverance in the midst of the difficulties that each of us faces today. The truth is that you are not the only one with challenges in your marriage, with your children, in your finances, in your career, etc. We all sweat with anguish, each in our own reality. And we do not lose by insisting and persevering, because soon we will enjoy unique joy. And Easter reminds us of this reality of liberation after perseverance in the faith.
But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.
Psalms 71:14
3. Pascal Lamb: Payment
The last and most important element of Passover is the Lamb. The Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation point to this lamb who is Jesus (Rev. 5:1-14). Since before the foundation of the world, the plan of salvation for humanity is Jesus paying the ransom price for our lives.
This reconciliation with the Father is offered to you and me this Easter like never before. It is an invitation for you to exchange the messy life for your own choices for the plans that God has lovingly prepared for you. Note that Easter has never been more original in our generations, whether you are young or old, as in these past 2 years. While the COVID pandemic troubles the world around us, Jesus himself invites us to open the doors of our hearts and allow him to come closer to us (Ps 23:1-6; Ps 46:1-11).
On that occasion when my friend prepared the goatling for us, we shared the cost of the animal and it was not cheap like any grill. Much more than we can imagine was the payment that cost God for our reconciliation. But for you and me, salvation is completely free, requiring only our yes by faith in Jesus. And the grace of God will take care of everything else. Your life will never be the same after Easter 2021!
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Revelation 3:20-21
Conclusion
Easter 2021 is the opportunity you need to receive God’s grace by faith in your life and family. And my prayer for you that concludes the reading of this post is that a new revelation of Jesus will come upon your mind and heart.
So, say yes to Jesus this Easter. Allow Him to enter new areas of your heart that have not yet been accessed. And you will live with God the greatest experience of your own life. Certainly, many others will also be reached by the grace of God through you.
Prayer: God, I thank you for your eternal plan of love and salvation for me. I give my life to You completely and invite you to be welcome in my heart today and forever, in Jesus‘ name, Amen.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you?
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“I will bless those people who bless you. But I will curse anyone who insults you.
Through you, I will bless all the families of people on the earth.” Genesis 12:3
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