TAKE CARE NOT TO TAKE THE PASSOVER UNWORTHILY

From the West Meadow
By Pastor Wesley Higgins

Spring is here and with it the first of God’s Holy Seasons (see Deuteronomy 16:16). It is interesting that the spring Holy Season is one that Christians everywhere take very seriously. And right we should; Christ instructed us to observe this time in remembrance of Him (Luke 22:19). Likewise, Paul warned us not to observe this time in an “unworthy manner”, but to examine ourselves before hand (I Corinthians 11:27-32).

It always amazes me how much modern Christianity resembles the actions of the Pharisees. Jesus warned the Pharisees not to let their traditions get in the way of their worship of God. “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition...making the word of God of no effect...” (Mark 7:9, 13). Yet modern Christians often do the same thing–putting our traditions ahead of the simple instructions of God’s word.

His followers would understand the symbolism (I Corinthians 5:7-8, Deuteronomy 12:30-32) of the Old Testament ceremonies and how they are translated in Christ. “For the Law, having a shadow of good things to come...can never...make those who approach perfect...It is not one judge us regarding the observance of God’s Sabbaths and Holy Festivals, which are possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins...(Christ) when He came into shadows of things to come whose substance are found in Christ (see Colossians 2:16-17).

The world...said...’I have come–to do Your will, O God’...By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ...” (Hebrews 10:1-10). Paul tells us to let no one judge us regarding the observance of God’s Sabbaths and Holy Festivals, which are shadows of things to come whose substance are found in Christ (see Colossians 2:16-17).

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