I have always loved the Passover festival, but since I was saved I love the festival for different reasons. It is not just because the family gets together, not even because of the gifts (even though that is nice). No, it is mostly because it is another reminder of God's great grace. It reminds me of the salvation he gave me and that God always keeps his promises.
God appeared to Abraham and promised him and his descendants the land of Canaan. He took the children of Israel out of Egypt, from slavery to freedom, because he remembered his covenant.
One of the things we do at Passover, on the eve of the seder, is to drink four cups. Those four cups correspond to each of the actions that God promised the people of Israel in these verses: "I will bring you out," "I will deliver you," "I will redeem you," and "I will take you."
For me this is another reminder of how much Jesus did for me: "Then he took a cup, gave thanks to God, and gave it to them. 'Drink it, all of you,' he said; 'this is my blood, which seals God's covenant, my blood poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink this wine until the day I drink the new wine with you in my Father's Kingdom.'" (Matthew 26:27-29).
At the last supper, Jesus drank the first two cups, actions that had already been fulfilled: "I will bring you out" and "I will deliver you." When he raised the third cup, the cup of redemption, he blessed and said "this is my blood." He did not drink the fourth cup, "I will take you," because this is a promise that will be fulfilled when the saved come to the kingdom of heaven.
For me it is so encouraging to know that God kept his former promise and will also keep the latter one, that the day will come when I will be with Jesus in his kingdom, at the time when "all Israel will be saved."
I pray that everyone who celebrates the Passover will be able to see God's promises and their fulfillments, that they will, like me, look forward to coming into God's kingdom where we will be in the presence of God.
- 4 APRIL -