THE
LORD'S PASSOVER
Purge
out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.
For even CHRIST OUR PASSOVER is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us KEEP THE
FEAST, ----—----——- 1st Cor. 5:7-8
In our
lesson today we intend by the help of the Lord to show you according to
the scriptures the Lord's plan for His children concerning His Passover for this
age. We contend that the Lord's supper as instituted by Jesus Himself is BOTH
spiritual and natural. This ordinance is without down a REPLACEMENT of the old
Jewish Passover of Exodus 12. This being true, we only observe the ordinance
ONCE a year in the proper SEASON. In this holy service we use "unleavened
bread" and "wine" --- Jesus said. This is my BODY and this is my
BLOOD. In connection with this service we wash the saints feet as so plainly
taught in John 13.
In the
long, long ago God heard the cry and groaning of His people in Egypt. He
remembered the covenant with Abraham concerning His people and he looked with
mercy upon their bondage. (Exo. 2:23-25) He appeared to Moses in the burning
bush and made known to Moses a special mission. Exo. 3:l-l4 ---This mission
called Moses to LEAD His people from this terrible bondage to a land
"flowing with milk and honey." God gave Moses a number of signs to
convince the children of Israel and Pharoah that he was sent of God. (Exo. 4)
We
read where Moses made his first trip to Pharoah to ask the release of God's
children; This request was not granted.(Exo. 5) This wicked ruler increased
the burden on these poor children. Then God begin to visit Egypt with different
plagues. He sent blood, frogs, dust, lice, flies, boils, hail, etc. (Exo. 7 to
10). In each of these plagues Pharaoh would give consent for the children of
Israel to go and serve their God, but when the curse was removed he would
"harden his heart" and refuse to let them go.
God
told Moses that he would bring one more plague upon Egypt and then Pharaoh will
let the people go. (Exo.11:1) God said,. About midnight I will go out into the
midst of Egypt and the firstborn shall die from Pharaoh that sitteth on the
throne to the firstborn of the maid-servant behind the mill. (Exo. 11:4-6)
God
made a provision! He commanded His
people to select a lamb "WITHOUT BLEMISH" and to kill it at a certain
TIME (evening) and strike the blood of the lamb on the two side posts and on the
upper door post of every house. The flesh of the lamb was to be roasted
with fire and eaten with unleavened bread and herbs. They were to eat in HASTE
and it is to be MUCH OBSERVED and ALL the congregation of Israel shall keep it
--- But NO STRANGERS shall eat thereof. (Exo.12:1-51) God said, IT IS THE LORD'S
PASSOVER -— (ver. 11) The blood shall be to you for a token ----- "When I
see the blood, I will pass over you," ----- (ver.13) He further instructed
Moses and the children that this ordinance was to be OBSERVED FROM YEAR TO YEAR
-— Exo.13:10 as a MEMORIAL --- ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for
ever. Exo.
Now, let
us turn to the New Testament. We read these words: Now the feast of unleavened
bread drew nigh, which is called the PASSOVER. (Luke 22:1) Then came the DAY
when the PASSOVER must be killed (ver.7) Jesus sent Peter and John to
"prepare us the passover, that we may eat" ---- (ver.8) He instructed
them how they would find a man bearing a pitcher of water (we must remember they
needed water for the feet washing) --- They were to follow this man and he would
direct them to a "large upper room furnished" --- He told them there
to "make ready." (ver.12) We find that they later went and "made
ready the passover" and when the HOUR was COME, Jesus sat down, and the
TWELVE APOSTLES, (ver. 14) Please notice there were NO STRANGERS present on this
occasion! Jesus said, I have
desired to EAT THIS PASSOVER with you before I suffer, (ver.15) ---- I am going
a length to prove to you that they were EATING the PASSOVER when Jesus took
bread and gave thanks and brake it and said "This is my body" ---
likewise he took the cup, and gave, and gave thanks and said "This is my
blood"--— Mat.26:26-28 — Mark 14:22-24 --Luke 22:17-20 ——
Paul said
Jesus did this the same NIGHT he was betrayed. (1st Cor. 11:23) If
this is the Lord's SUPPER ---(1st.Cor.11:20) Why would some observe this
ordinance in the daytime? Remember the Passover lamb was to be killed in the
evening --- (Exo. 12:6). Why
will some permit unbelievers to be present when NO STRANGERS are to be there? (Exo.
12:43) Jesus and his disciples were alone (Luke 22:l4) --- Why will some observe
this ordinance every Sunday, every month, every three months, etc -----? The
passover was only ONCE a year. (Exo.13;10) and was to be in SEASON! Some will
say, We take the Lord's supper as often as we feel led because Paul said
"For as often as ye eat this bread ---——-" (1st.Cor.11:26) ---
That simply means "every time" you eat this bread ----- This has no
bearing whatsoever that it isn't to be but ONCE a YEAR in the season. The old
Jewish Passover was to be for a MEMORIAL — (Exo. 12:l4) The Lord's supper is
also a MEMORIAL -- (1st Cor.