Monday, November 13, 2006
Passover
Passover
The Passover lamb was symbolic of Christ, the Lamb of God.
Each lamb was spotless, perfect - as prescribed.
The blood on the doorposts kept the angel of death from taking those inside,
and in Israel's camp that night, nobody died.
Their enemies were marked for destruction, the oldest family members.
Much pitiful mourning and wailing was heard that night.
The Passover supper was instituted, a memorial of redemption
every year at the time of Israel's freedom flight.
For a week their bread was made without yeast, signifying the working of sin
that can leaven the lump of dough and bring disaster.
Not every person is virtuous within the congregation
and can cause some of the flock to stray from the Master.
After bondage in Egypt for four hundred years, Israel was led by God
out into pastures green to start anew.
Like them, we Christians are transformed into a worthy people,
a metamorphosis, a switcheroo.
Ahead of Pharaoh's soldiers, facing a raging sea,
between a hard place and a rock the Jews were stuck.
The only place to look was up, up to the God of heaven.
They needed more than just a spot of luck.
They were crying out in fear, but God said "Stop your whining!
Go forward. I am with you all the way."
The water of the Red Sea turned out to be salvation,
just as water saves obedient souls today.
Baptism is our circumcision, signifying death
of our old attitudes and shameful sin,
a burial and resurrection to a righteous life
where loving sacrifice and peace begin.
Jews had to re-learn freedom, like a bird whose flight is gained
by slow degrees until its wings are strong.
God's word within our hearts helps us daily grow and change
in the image of the One who did no wrong.
Like the early church, we gather each Sunday to commune
with one another in the blood of Christ,
a time of great thanksgiving for all that he has done,
giving us his best, the perfect sacrifice.
And because he gave his best, he expects the same of us,
a dedicated life of serving others.
Real happiness is ours only if we share its blessings,
giving freely of ourselves to help our brothers.
(From a sermon by Roger Holm)
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
The Passover lamb was symbolic of Christ, the Lamb of God.
Each lamb was spotless, perfect - as prescribed.
The blood on the doorposts kept the angel of death from taking those inside,
and in Israel's camp that night, nobody died.
Their enemies were marked for destruction, the oldest family members.
Much pitiful mourning and wailing was heard that night.
The Passover supper was instituted, a memorial of redemption
every year at the time of Israel's freedom flight.
For a week their bread was made without yeast, signifying the working of sin
that can leaven the lump of dough and bring disaster.
Not every person is virtuous within the congregation
and can cause some of the flock to stray from the Master.
After bondage in Egypt for four hundred years, Israel was led by God
out into pastures green to start anew.
Like them, we Christians are transformed into a worthy people,
a metamorphosis, a switcheroo.
Ahead of Pharaoh's soldiers, facing a raging sea,
between a hard place and a rock the Jews were stuck.
The only place to look was up, up to the God of heaven.
They needed more than just a spot of luck.
They were crying out in fear, but God said "Stop your whining!
Go forward. I am with you all the way."
The water of the Red Sea turned out to be salvation,
just as water saves obedient souls today.
Baptism is our circumcision, signifying death
of our old attitudes and shameful sin,
a burial and resurrection to a righteous life
where loving sacrifice and peace begin.
Jews had to re-learn freedom, like a bird whose flight is gained
by slow degrees until its wings are strong.
God's word within our hearts helps us daily grow and change
in the image of the One who did no wrong.
Like the early church, we gather each Sunday to commune
with one another in the blood of Christ,
a time of great thanksgiving for all that he has done,
giving us his best, the perfect sacrifice.
And because he gave his best, he expects the same of us,
a dedicated life of serving others.
Real happiness is ours only if we share its blessings,
giving freely of ourselves to help our brothers.
(From a sermon by Roger Holm)
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
