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Passover: An Extraordinary Peace Offering

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

The Passover, observed annually at the beginning of the 14th of Abib, serves as a commemoration of Jesus Christ's death, highlighting a unique facet of His sacrifice. It is not primarily about atonement for sin but rather a demonstration of God's gracious acceptance and exemption, as seen in the Exodus account where God overlooked Israel's sins without addressing forgiveness. The Passover instructions emphasize a distinctive meal, focusing on the eating of the specially prepared lamb, shared by circumcised households, setting it apart from the sin offering which was not generally consumed by the people. In contrast to the sin offering, which was tied to atonement and restricted to priests in specific scenarios, the Passover meal represents fellowship and peace with God. It aligns more closely with the peace offering, which pictures a shared meal of harmony and satisfaction, celebrating a relationship on good terms with God. The Passover, as a type of communion sacrifice, unites participants with God and each other through the sacrificial meal, symbolizing acceptance and well-being rather than cleansing from sin. During Christ's Passover with His disciples, the focus was on fellowship, love, and peace, without mention of sin. He spoke of oneness with the Father, joy, and friendship between God and man, emphasizing the covenantal relationship initiated through this meal. The bread and wine, central to the New Testament observance, symbolize Christ's sinless life and the blood of the New Covenant, representing a pledge of God's faithfulness and the promise of spiritual completion. This covenant, sealed by Christ's blood, goes beyond forgiveness to encompass a profound relationship of knowing the Father and the Son, leading to eternal life. Thus, the Passover is a solemn yet joyful celebration of the peace and spiritual abundance we have in Christ, a memorial of His death that sealed the covenant. It underscores God's mercy in initiating fellowship, focusing on ongoing communion with Him and with fellow believers through the living Bread and the blood of the covenant, which promises ultimate fulfillment when we are made complete.

The Bread and Wine of Passover

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

Passover, as a covenant meal, holds profound significance as a ritual instituted by God, uniting participants with Him and with each other. It centers on a shared meal, emphasizing eating, particularly the bread and wine, which symbolically join us with Christ, the object of the sacrifice. This act fosters thankful and peaceful fellowship, making us one with God and with fellow partakers through the shared bread, which represents Christ. The Passover meal resembles a peace offering, symbolizing a state of fellowship and gratitude for God's acceptance and provision, rather than an attempt to make peace or atone for sins. It reflects a sense of well-being, akin to the Hebrew concept of shalom, encompassing the presence of all that is good and the absence of all that is not. The bread and wine of Passover are deeply tied to covenantal themes, echoing the fellowship meal between Melchizedek and Abraham on the eve of God's covenant with Abraham. This connection underscores God's mercy in overlooking Israel's sins for the sake of His covenantal faithfulness. The timing of Christ's sacrifice aligns with the Abrahamic covenant, marking a significant step forward in its fulfillment, upon which the New Covenant is based. The wine, representing Christ's blood, symbolizes the New Covenant, sealed not with the blood of sin offerings but with blood from peace and burnt offerings, signifying a relationship of satisfaction and wholehearted devotion. This covenant includes remission of sins but extends beyond to a personal knowledge of God and a transformative fellowship, promising eternal life and perfection. Passover is not merely a memorial of past events but also forward-looking, pointing to the future fulfillment in the Kingdom of God. It commemorates Christ's death that sealed the covenant while celebrating the ongoing spiritual abundance and hope due to God's faithfulness. The act of partaking in the bread and wine is a continual process, reflecting an abiding relationship with Christ, where His life is shared with us, imparting true well-being that the world cannot offer. Thus, Passover stands as a solemn yet joyful celebration of peace, acceptance, and communion with God through Jesus Christ, grounded in His grace and covenantal promise rather than atonement for sin.

Passover (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The annual reaffirmation of the covenant through the Passover is at the core of an on-going relationship with the Father and Son, beginning the perfecting process.

Was Jesus Christ's Body Broken? (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Christ's body was not broken, and the bread of Passover, broken so it can be shared, is a symbol of being joined to His sinless life rather than death.

Remember Me (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Ronny H. Graham

If an unbeliever partakes of the Passover, he will indeed be held accountable due to his unworthiness, but how much more will God hold a believer accountable?

Remember Me (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Ronny H. Graham

For the most part, Passover is not about us: It is a solemn assembly to remember Jesus Christ and what He has done for us in laying down His life.

Hebrews (Part Three): Who Was Jesus? (cont.)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

John identifies Christ as co-eternal with the Father, equal in character, but subordinate in authority. Christ's sonship was unique; He was the 'only Begotten Son.'

Hope to the End

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Peter, while warning about impending suffering, nevertheless distinguishes himself as the apostle of hope, keeping our minds on what is to be rather than what now is.

Being a Christian

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

Micah provides a formula for being a Christian: 1.) Doing justly, 2.) Exercising mercy and 3.) Walking humbly. These demand total commitment, not a pretense.