The LORD our Passover

In Leviticus it is further revealed that the lamb is for a peace (3:6-7) and also a sin offering (4:32, 35) and the rest of the rituals, such as the washings, by commandment that accompany this sacrifice follow in what will become the Mosaic Law.

Then in what is titled the New Testament, which is actually the continuing of the Old until after Jesus' ascension, we pick up on the Passover but with this one hidden difference it is the betrothal feast of the LORD or the Marriage (Mat. 22:2, 4, 9 and 30) feast of the Lamb of God, with those who will become His as promised in Gen. 3:15, 12:3 and Psalm 2. Jesus and His disciples for the first two years of His ministry to Israel practice this rite in all of its pomp and ceremony until something happens which begins the beginning of the end, which happens just before the last Passover. Up until that moment in time Jesus sent His disciples among only the Hebrews to proclaim the coming kingdom message, the acceptable year of the LORD (Leviticus 25:9-13, Isaiah 49:8, 61:2, Luke 4:19 and 2Corinthians 6:2) with all authority to do as He has been about doing, as a witness of just Who He was. The promised seed of woman (Gen 3:15), prophet like to Moses the true prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19), and more. But what was it that caused the change, after all Jesus from the beginning had set His face as flint toward the day appointed Him? As a husband (a term used in the word LORD of) the betrothed bridegroom, when He has passed away leaves his wife (betrothed) free to remarry, the very metaphoric symbolism of Matthew 22. For the answer we will look at John 12 beginning at verse 20; “There were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethesda of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip came and told this to Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip told it to Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.”

Then it is recorded in the following statement of verses 24 through 36, the secret of death; “Verily, verily, I say to you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I AM, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will Father honor.

Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I to this hour. Father, glorify Your name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, 'I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.' The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered (in the sound of a trumpet blast or clap of thunder): others said, An angel spoke to Him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die. The people answered Him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abides forever: and how say You, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes. While you have light, believe the light, that you may be the children of light. These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and did hide Himself from them.”

Now He reveals and proclaims His soon coming way of death and this still remains a mystery to the people even though they heard they did not perceive by way of understanding or revelation, what was said. This is the way for those who remain in darkness just as Jesus has here said. We can read the words but do we have the capacity for perception which brings understanding or revelation of Light? It is this that the house of His Body is to be built upon as on solid bedrock, unshakable and sound. From here I will progress into the LORD's Last Supper, Passover and yes the Marriage Feast (betrothal) of the Lamb of God for all those who become the betrothed of the LORD in His righteousness, as hinted to in the beginning.

We must of necessity know what LORD means; the most common is the self existing one (I AM that I AM), the possessor of supreme power and authority, ruler, husband, husbandman, Master and Father. And the Webster's 1828 Dictionary has this to say; “In scripture, the Supreme Being; Jehovah. When Lord, in the Old Testament, is printed in capitals, it is the translation of JEHOVAH, (Yehovah, YHWH, LORD God) and so might, with more propriety, be rendered. The word is applied to Christ, Psa 110. Col 3. and to the Holy Spirit, 2 Th 3. As a title of respect, it is applied to kings, Gen 40. 2 Sam 19. to princes and nobles, Gen 42. Dan 4. to a husband, Gen 18. to a prophet, 1 Ki 18. 2 Ki 2. and to a respectable person, Gen 24. Christ is called the Lord of glory, 1 Cor 2. and Lord of lords, Rev 19.”