With Passover just a few weeks away, Christians must be more focused on Jesus Christ and the various aspects of our relationship with Him than at any other time of the year. We should be driven by an increasing sense of urgency to be prepared for this annual opportunity given only to those who have been buried with Him in baptism and raised to newness of life. God has made certain, through the apostle Paul, that all members of the Body of Christ recognize the necessity of participation in this solemn memorialization of Christ's death, as well as the careful preparation that is key to proper participation. Each individual must scrupulously examine himself while recognizing the inestimable cost of what has been done on his behalf. God has clearly shown what He expects from all participants leading up to that evening. God does not intend for us to go through this examination process with a sense of self-condemnation, but as an approval process of making an honest evaluation of how we are relating to the One who has paid the price for our lives, the One to whom we owe allegiance in our every thought and action. Without proper preparation for the Passover, we bring condemning judgment on ourselves for not undergoing the preparation process with all our hearts. God has given us tools to handle this process, and one of the best is to go through Jesus' own words spoken in the last 24 hours of His human life, as detailed in five chapters of John's gospel, which serve as a guide for our self-examination leading to the Passover.

Preparing for Passover requires significant personal effort, as it is a day that, though not a holy day, demands the most profound spiritual preparation. Passover itself is preparatory, setting the stage for participation in the rest of God's plan as outlined by the holy days. The purpose of Passover is not merely to recall historical events but to deeply grasp the meaning of Christ's death as the Lamb of God slain for the sins of the world. Failing to comprehend this meaning increases the likelihood of treating His death unworthily. Understanding Christ's sacrifice properly determines the quality of our observance of Passover. To prevent taking it in a careless or unappreciative manner, we are charged to examine ourselves, testing and proving our hearts to discern the Lord's body. This self-examination should involve seriously reviewing our spiritual and moral failures in contrast to the perfect glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lived without committing even a single sin. To avoid taking Passover unworthily, we must not participate without deeply considering its meaning, for failing to do so means sharing in the guilt of those who crucified Him. Despite this self-examination, the focus at Passover is not on ourselves but on the payment for our sins through Christ's sacrifice, the means by which we are forgiven. It is a time to concentrate on the most elementary precepts of our salvation, especially on the part Jesus Christ plays in it. Only by thoroughly understanding and energetically applying these fundamentals will we overcome sin. At Passover, our focus should be on the grace of God to justify us through Christ's blood, emphasizing the awesome cost of salvation manifested in His sinless sacrifice.

As the Passover season approaches, there is an expectation of increasing trials and pressures, orchestrated by satan to distract from the profound benefits this time offers. In preparation for the Days of Unleavened Bread, careful attention is given to removing leaven from homes, symbolizing the removal of sin. This process extends beyond physical cleaning, as God, through Paul, urges a deep self-examination to assess personal progress over the past year. This examination is not meant for condemnation but for honest evaluation of the heart's attitude, enabling one to approach Passover confidently with a right spirit. God desires worship in Spirit and truth, encouraging an honest review of one's current state rather than dwelling on past, repented issues. The standard for this self-assessment is Jesus Christ, the perfect example possessing all the fruit of God's Spirit. Despite the busyness before Passover or the personal cost of true self-examination, God calls for a sincere review of life over the past year and the making of necessary changes. This process, though painful at times due to the resistance of human nature, is supported by God's boundless love and readiness to forgive upon repentance. In preparation, God encourages prayer and fasting to seek His help in seeing oneself clearly. He understands the trials faced and offers forgiveness for all iniquities, showing mercy and grace. He does not punish according to sins but completely removes transgressions. With a true fear of God, there is no need for fear, as He knows human limitations and remembers human frailty. Planning time for this self-examination before Passover allows one to approach the season with thankfulness and joy, free from heaviness or doubt.

As we approach the Passover, just 3.5 weeks away, we prepare to keep this solemn yet joyous memorial on the evening of March 31st, shortly after sunset, marking the start of the 14th day of the first month on God's sacred year. This God-appointed occasion calls us to participate in a peace offering with the King of Peace, reflecting on the inestimable cost that demands our absolute faith in action. Our responsibility before God is to dig into the truth of His word, ensuring we keep this set-apart memorial time in line with what He desires us to learn. We must examine ourselves within the body of Christ, remembering the covenant made at baptism to live as Christ lives, and focus on the unity and humble service commanded by Him. As we share this peace meal, we are reminded of our privileged responsibility as friends of God, called to love and serve one another without partiality, bearing fruit that remains through our faith and works. Let us consider the example of Abraham, who, after sharing a peace meal with Melchizedek, the King of Peace, shifted from relying on his own strength to humbly serving and trusting in God's righteousness. This preparation for Passover urges us to reflect on how well we treat each member of the body of Christ with outgoing concern, striving for the unity that only Jesus Christ can produce.

As Passover approaches, we must prepare by storing God's Word in our minds to combat temptation, following the example of Jesus Christ. He relied on His Father's Word to defeat Satan, demonstrating the necessity of memorizing Scripture to replace wrong thoughts with divine truth. This preparation is not just for Passover but for every day, as Satan seeks constant opportunities to weaken our trust in God. By arming ourselves with specific verses and using them against temptation, we strengthen our resolve and align our thoughts with Christ's. This ongoing process of memorizing and applying God's Word equips us to choose His way over our own, ensuring we are ready to face daily challenges and honor His sacrifice.

In preparation for the Passover, we are called to engage in self-examination, as admonished in I Corinthians 11:28, which states, "But let a man examine himself and so let him eat the bread and drink of the cup." This process may reveal our guilt in certain areas, yet it does not necessarily prevent us from partaking in the Passover. We cannot make ourselves worthy, but through self-judgment, as mentioned in I Corinthians 11:31, "If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged," we have the opportunity to make changes and avoid harsher trials. This examination is a vital step in preparing our hearts and minds for the Passover, ensuring we approach it with a renewed focus on our relationship with God.