#passionatepreparation

[rabbi-brian]

PASSION FROM SACRED SATURDAY TO RESURRECTION SUNDAY

PASSIONATE PASSAGE:

I am the First and the Last, and the One who lives. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever! Moreover, I hold the keys of death and Sheol. - Revelation 1:17b-18 (TLV)

PASSIONATE PRINCIPLE:

Ever since God created the world in six days and then rested on the seventh, the Sabbath has been an eternal model of what it means to enter into perfect rest. Many people misunderstand the Sabbath and think it's about rules and regulations, when it is really about entering the Lord’s divine rest. In times like these, we need a sense of "shalom" in the midst of this global storm. We need to experience a real peace from God. The Sabbath, called Shabbat in Hebrew, is from a Hebrew root [shavat שבת], "to sit down" or cease from work. When the Creator masterfully designed the universe in six glorious days, He sat back and reclined in the throne of His glory and rested in His finished work. Yeshua taught that "Man was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was made for man! "This is exactly why the Messiah declared, "it is finished!” from the sacrificial stake of His death, known as the cross! When He died for our sins, redeemed us from destruction, then He rested in His perfect finished work! He became the Sacrificed Lamb who came to take away the sins of the whole world. During this "passion week," also known as "holy week," we have celebrated our Savior as our Passover sacrifice with a Messianic Seder.

We discovered Wednesday night Four Passover Principles:

1. The PURPOSE of Passover is REDEMPTION

2. The PLAN of Passover is RESTORATION

3. The PROCESS of Passover is REMEMBRANCE

4. The PROVISION of Passover is the REDEEMER

Then in our Shabbat service this week, called Pesach Chol Moed פסח חול המועד, meaning an intermediate day of Passover, we learned that Messiah fulfilled the first three feasts of Leviticus 23, in His first coming. God gave Israel these three appointed times to represent the three days that our Messiah would be in the grave, like the three days that Israel walked through the "Red Sea" or in Hebrew, "Sea of Reeds," "Yam Suf" [ים סוף]. Yeshua prophesied that He would be in the "belly of the earth" for three days and three nights, like Jonah, was in the "belly of the big fish." The rabbi from Galilee, who was heralded as "The King of Israel" on His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, fulfilled being the Passover lamb, the sinless "Unleavened Bread," and the day of "Firstfruits" from the dead. He died as a spotless lamb, He was laid in a rich man's tomb as the "unleavened bread" that is pierced and striped, and rose as the firstfruits from the dead like the harvested barley.

He truly embodied every "jot and tittle" of the Torah, including being the fulfillment of the three Spring Feasts! In the First Coming of the Messiah, He would become the "Lamb of God" as the Passover Sacrifice, the breaking of unleavened bread would symbolize His broken body and the "fruit of the vine," as a symbol of His shed blood. Yeshua declared that Abraham "saw His day and rejoiced" [John 8:56], which probably was foreshadowed on Mount Moriah, as Isaac became a picture of Messiah's sacrifice. Abraham also spoke of this Passover Lamb when he prophesied that, "the LORD will provide for Himself a lamb" [Genesis 22:7]. The Apostle Peter, would later declare in his epistle that we are redeemed by "the precious blood of the Messiah, like that of a lamb without blemish or defect" [1 Peter 1:19]. In other words he would be spotless like our sinless Messiah. 

So as His body laid in the grave on that Sacred Saturday, and He also fulfilled a high holy Sabbath (John 19:31), the "gates of Hades" wanted to silence our Savior. The grave couldn't hold Him, and hell couldn't stop him! Hades ᾅδης is known as "Sheol" שאול in Hebrew and speaks of the place of the unseen dead. Peter, the chief disciple and apostle of Yeshua, revealed what the Messiah did during that time that His body was in the grave. In 1 Peter 3:18-19, the apostle declares, "For the Messiah also suffered for sins once for all, an innocent person for the guilty, so that He could bring you to God. He was put to death in a mortal body but was brought to life by the Spirit, in which He went and made a proclamation to those imprisoned spirits." The text says that those who died in disobedience before the flood, who never heard the preaching of the Good News from the written Word of God, needed a divine confirmation and final verdict for the choices they've made. The righteous that died would have been gloriously liberated from death by the finished work of the Promised Messiah. That Sacred Saturday in the grave, He freed captive souls from bondage like Moses did for Israel in Egypt. Yeshua is the Exodus out of Egypt and our House of Bondage like Moses was for his generation. In the same way, He is foreshadowed in Joshua, Moses' apprentice, whose name in Hebrew is is also Yeshua. This is the same name of our Messiah, who brings us into our Promised Land. For all of the Promises of God, in the Messiah, are "Yes and Amen!" Yeshua is the only one who can bring you out of bondage, and also bring you into your purpose and calling. Let's look at a few of the amazing attributes of Our Messiah:

1. He is the quintessential model for all to follow.

2. He is the rabbinical teacher of all teachers and still confounds the wisest sage.

3. He is the purest and clearest WAY to the Father.

4. He is the Ultimate and Absolute embodiment of TRUTH.

5. He is the only access to real and lasting LIFE.

6. He is the Blood-Stained Door to the Sheep.

7. He is the True Vine and the His Blood is Cup of Salvation from the Fruit of the Vine.

8. He is the Sinless, Unleavened Bread of Life in His Broken Body for us.

9. He is the Passover Lamb of God who takes away the sin od the whole world.

10. He is the Resurrection and the Life for all who believe in Him.

Yeshua died at Passover, went into the grave at the onset of Unleavened Bread, and resurrected on the third day as the Firstfruits from the dead. Every time someone puts their faith in Him, an ancient text that is 3500 years old, comes alive and resurrects the dead. Our Messiah is the reason that the "death angel" has PASSED-OVER all of us who trust in Him. He has become our salvation, our PASSOVER LAMB, and His blood has been sprinkled on the heavenly mercy seat to atone for our sins.

MESSIAH BECAME OUR ATONEMENT:

His blood was sprinkled or shed 7x:

1. Sweat of blood from His brow – Luke 22:44

2. Scourging of stripes on His back – Matt 27:24-26; 1 Peter 2:24

3. Crowning of thorns on His head – Matt 27:24-26

4. Piercing of a nail in His right hand – Psalm 22:16

5. Piercing of a nail in His left hand – Psalm 22:16

6. Piercing of a nail in His feet – Zechariah 12:10

7. Piercing in His side with a centurion's sword – John 19:34

So as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Messiah, let's think beyond the stories of Easter fables, bunnies and colored eggs, and other secular traditions around this season, and dive into the real and relevant story of redemption and restoration! If we go to the Garden Tomb today, in the Holy City of Jerusalem in Israel, you will see a sign that I've been privileged to see for myself many times. The words at the entrance of the tomb reads, "He is not here for He is Risen! So go and tell everyone you know this truth and reality! He's not dead, He's Alive!!! Happy Resurrection Sunday, Feliz Pascua, or as we say in the Hebrew tongue, "Chag Pascha Same'ach" חג פסחא שמח.

PASSIONATE PREPARATION:

1. We passionately proclaim the good news that Our Messiah and Sacrificed Lamb has been raised from the dead.

2. We passionately pursue the presence of the Lord, as we allow His resurrection power to flow in us and through us.

3. We passionately please our Heavenly Father in obedience, as we pray for miracles, signs, and wonders, and believe for souls to be saved through His divine intervention.

[rabbi-brian]

PASSION FOR GOOD FRIDAY OR THURSDAY?

PASSIONATE PASSAGE:

13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Yeshua out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place called the Stone Pavement (but in Aramaic, Gabbatha). 14 It was the Day of Preparation for Passover, about the sixth hour [12pm]. And Pilate said to the Judean leaders, “Behold, your king!” 15 They shouted back, “Take Him away! Take Him away! Execute Him!”... 31 It was the Day of Preparation, and the next day was a festival Shabbat [KJV: “high day”]. So that the bodies should not remain on the execution stake during Shabbat, the Judean leaders asked Pilate to have the legs broken and to have the bodies taken away. - John 19:13-15,31 (TLV)

PASSIONATE PRINCIPLE:

It is beautiful to see believers from all around the world gathering together this Friday to celebrate and recognize the sacrifice of our Savior. Our Messiah gave His life to the world, as the “Lamb of God,” to become the Lamb of God who takes away our sins.

Messiah Fulfills Passover

The Messiah, Is our “Passover Lamb” who delivers us from bondage, as His Blood is applied to the doorpost of our hearts.

Passover is the annual feast on the 14th day of the first month, that rehearses how the Almighty delivered Israel from Egypt by the blood of the lamb. Their freedom from Pharaoh and his cruel bondage is reenacted through a Passover Seder, where a storybook called a Haggadah is read, and four cups of wine, or the “fruit of the vine” are drunk throughout the retelling of the Exodus, to remind us of how God delivered Israel from slavery, and redeemed them with His outstretched arm, in four stages. Unleavened bread, known as “matzah” in Hebrew, is eaten with bitter herbs [usually horseradish], during the evening of the seder, or festival meal. The Hebrew month of Nisan, formerly just called Aviv, is the month for this festival, and is commanded by God to be used for the sacred calendar for counting months, in contrast to the “Jewish New Year.” The blood of the lamb was smeared on the doorpost so that the death angel would “pass-over” their homes.

Messiah Fulfills Unleavened Bread

The sinless Messiah, is our “Unleavened Bread” who defeated sin, death & the grave.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is the second part of the Passover festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the first month, where the participants continue to eat unleavened bread, for a total of seven days. This is to remind us of how Israel’s bread had no time to rise, due to their swift flight out of Egypt, as the final tenth plague killed all of the firstborn. Leaven was a “type” of pride, or sin, that gets removed from the household before the annual Passover celebration is kept [Exodus 12:15; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8].

Messiah Fulfills Firstfruits

The Messiah is our “Firstfruits from the dead” who ressurected on the third day.

The Day of Firstfruits was the third element of the Passover week, as well as the third day of the festival, but was also considered the second day of eating unleavened bread. It was commanded to be kept this day to offer up the firstfruits of the Barley Harvest, once Israel was finally in the Promised Land, and they could grow their own crops. From this day forward, the Israelites would count fifty days, or seven extra weeks, for bringing in the sheaves of the barley harvest. We call this “counting the omer” [an omer was a measure of the barley], and is fulfilled through the Messiah becoming the “Firstfruits from the dead” [1 Corinthians 15:20]. This third day reveals that Yeshua would be in the grave for three days and three nights.

FRIDAY OR THURSDAY?

Tradition is a wonderful thing that keeps us celebrating year after year the things that are most important to us. As a Messianic rabbi who is also a shepherd and teacher in the Christian world, I understand how easy it is to hold on to traditions as if they were fact or historical landmarks of our faith. Once you celebrate something year after year it’s hard to separate biblical truth from tradition, that we feel helps us express our love for God. Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with tradition as long as it is supportive of our faith. Although, we must be careful that our traditions don’t make void the word of God. This is like days of worship, where is some believers worship the Lord on Sunday, and others follow the typical command to keep the Sabbath as their day of worship. There are also many other days of the week that are used for worship days. Without picking one day over another for worship, what if we just accept the biblical reality that every day is a day of worship. The real issue at hand in this matter is not what day to worship, but which day is the Sabbath. For many Christians, Sunday is their Sabbath, pointing to the resurrection. For Jews, and Messianic Jews, Saturday is not only the day of the Sabbath, but it is also the primary day that we congregate and worship the Lord. The apostle Paul reminds us not to argue or judge one another About what we eat or drink, or in regards to celebrating a festival new moon or Sabbath day, in Colossians 2:16. Let’s not forget, that even though Paul said this, he was a sabbath keeper. He knew that many of the Gentiles did not feel the obligation to observe the special holidays, primarily because they were unfamiliar with them being raised in the pagan society of a Gentile world. We follow this principle in our synagogue. Wonderful Gentile believers, who desire to learn about the Jewish roots of their faith, often join us in our worship to God on the Sabbath, or as we call it, “Shabbat” in Hebrew. We don’t make them wear a prayer shawl, known as a tallit, or a head covering called a kippah or yarmulke. Instead, we make them available for those who desire to explore their significant purpose and usage without making them feel obligated or judged if they decide not to. In other words, we allow the grace of the Lord and the leading of the Holy Spirit to teach and train His people about the significance of Messianic Judaism. Ultimately our goal is to understand the mandate and mission of the Messiah, become discipled as his students, and and become trained in how we can fulfill His Great Commission. Having said all that, I do believe that it helps us in our biblical understanding when we realize the plan of God and how the details of His plan are revealed in the Scriptures. Wasn’t the Messiah supposed to lay in the grave for three days and three nights, just as Jonah was in the belly of the “big fish” that we call a “whale.” If Yeshua died late in the afternoon on Friday, but was already resurrected out of the grave before the dawn of sunlight on Sunday morning, how could that be three days and three nights on any calendar? This has always bothered me in reading the Scriptures, when things don’t seem to make sense. I know if I have these questions, and I love reading the word of God and studying it’s truth, how difficult can it be for the skeptic who says that none of this seems to add up?

HIGH HOLY DAYS:

John 19:31 Says that the Messiah’s body needed to be taken off the cross before the high day sabbath began. This reference doesn’t necessarily mean that it was the weekly Sabbath, but rather to the Sabbath-rest of unleavened bread, Where no work could be done. The connection is found in the word preparation. We see this term preparation day referenced inverse 14 and in verse 31. So in context, the preparation day they’re talking about is the Feast of Unleavened Bread and not the weekly Sabbath. All of the Jewish holidays are called high days, especially the ones that are in the fall, like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We called them the High Holy Days. Another thing to understand when it comes to the Jewish calendar, and how days are counted, a day always starts the evening before at sundown. So technically the sixth day of the week, that we call Friday, actually would start on Thursday evening at sundown. So it’s fine that we call this day that we recognize the crucifixion of the Messiah as “Good Friday,” as long as we look at it through Jewish eyes. Let’s not forget that the disciples of Yeshua were Jewish. In fact, Palm Sunday, would actually be the 10th day of the first month of spring time that we call Nissan. This is the day that the lamb was selected, and this would be the day that our Messiah how does trample entry into Jerusalem and was pronounced king by those who raised their voices to cry out, “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The lamb had to be roasted over fire for the Passover on the 14th day of the month. So count four days from Palm Sunday and you come to Wednesday evening. This would mean that Yeshua would be arrested that evening, brought before the Caiaphas, the High Priest, then Pontius Pilate, and finally He was crucified between the hours of 12p.m.–3 p.m. 

JEWISH TIME VS. ROMAN TIME:

Jewish time was based upon Creation, counting the evening, then the morning, as the first day of the week, with every day proceeding in that order. This means that the same night that Yeshua had His Passover meal with His disciples, in what we call the “last supper,” is the same 24 hour period from evening to morning, in which He became the Sacrificed Lamb of God. The story of Jonah in the belly of the “big fish” would be connected to Gentile timing in Nineveh, versus Jewish timing in Israel. Three days and three nights is a completely different way of keeping time, in comparison to the Jewish way of counting the evening and the morning as one day. So if Yeshua was crucified on Thursday in the daytime, between 12pm-3pm, He would be placed in the tomb between 3pm-6pm, which is still part of a day. Thursday night would be one day under Roman rule. Friday would then be another day and night, and then the same with Saturday. Since He was an Orthodox Jew, who rested on the Sabbath (Saturday until sundown), we would expect for Him to wait until Shabbat was complete before He rose from the dead! LOL! That means that He would therefore have a window between sundown on Saturday until Sunday morning before dawn to resurrect. Let’s not forget that Saturday night is already Sunday in Jewish timing. So a Thursday crucifixion solves the supposed contradiction in the Scriptures. The most important thing is to know that our Messiah would never destroy the Torah or the Prophets, but rather He came to fulfill every “jot and tittle” found in the ancient scrolls of the Hebrew Scriptures!

PASSIONATE PREPARATION:

1. We passionately remember what our Messiah did for us when He died as a sacrificed lamb.

2. We passionately apply His blood to the doorposts of our hearts and homes.

3. We passionately proclaim that He has risen from the dead to be our Conquering King Messiah and Loving Saviour.

[rabbi-brian]

PASSION FOR PASSOVER WEDNESDAY

PASSIONATE PASSAGE:

14 When the hour came, Yeshua reclined at table, and the emissaries (apostles) with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will never eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” - Luke 22:14-16 (TLV)

PASSIONATE PRINCIPLE:

What an amazing Passover we had as we stayed isolated in our homes but watched the Passover Seder digitally. It was an honor to teach as a rabbi the ancient, yet relevant teaching of the exodus from Egypt from a Messianic perspective. The miracles of our Messiah were first mirrored in the miracles of Moses. As a deliverer, Moses set the captives free, through the power of the blood of the lamb, and the outstretched arm of God to liberate Israel from their Egyptian bondage. Our Messiah, as the new Moses, became our deliverer to set the captives free by his own blood, as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He became the outstretched Arm of the Lord, fulfilling Isaiah 53, and liberated us from spiritual bondage. The signs and wonders in Moses day was 3500 years ago, and the miraculous signs and wonders of our Messiah took place 2000 years ago. Here we are today looking back at both of these historic and biblical revelations of redemption, as we stay under the blood of the lamb in the midst of the plague known as the coronavirus (COVID-19). We haven’t celebrated a Passover like this since the original 10 plagues came down upon Egypt in the book of Exodus. We discovered last night Four Passover Principles:

1. The Purpose of Passover is REDEMPTION

2. The Plan of Passover is RESTORATION

3. The Process of Passover is REMEMBRANCE

4. The Provision of Passover is the REDEEMER

The commandment of keeping the Passover reminds us of where we have been, where we are, and where we’re going! We were slaves in Egypt, we are called to be servants of God, but our true destiny is to live as sons and daughters of the Most High God. We’ve been freed from SLAVERY, we have embraced SERVANTHOOD, but we must live in the revelation of SONSHIP. We are God’s people, and we refuse to live in fear or give it any power to destroy our faith. We take precaution, but we will not live in panic. This international crisis has forced true believers to rise up and be who we’ve always been called to be! So let’s not lose hope or give into the current threat of disaster, but trust in the Lord for his divine protection and provision. In Jeremiah 29:11, The Lord promises to give us a hope and a future, because He knows the thoughts He has concerning us. This encouraged us to also know his thoughts and to live out his plans and purposes the Daly application of the word of God. Let’s fulfill the “Great Commission,” go into all the world and preach the good news, as we become the hands and feet of our Messiah!

PASSIONATE PREPARATION:

1. We passionately live our lives as unleavened Matzah in celebration of the Lamb of God and the power of Messiah’s resurrection this Passion Week.

2. We passionately pray for the sufferings of Messiah to be the cure of this viral plague as we believe our God for protection and provision.

3. We passionately allow the Holy Spirit to help us shine Messiah’s light in our communities, nation, and world this holiday season.

[rabbi-brian]

PASSION FOR TRUTHFUL TUESDAY

PASSIONATE PASSAGE:

Yeshua said to him, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE! No one comes to the Father except through Me. - John 14:6 (TLV)

PASSIONATE PRINCIPLE:

The "Passion Week" is often called "Holy Week." It is considered one of the holiest weeks of the year for those who believe that Jesus, or Yeshua in Hebrew, is the Promised Messiah of the Hebrew Scriptures, commonly called the "Old Testament." Today, we will call this day, "Truthful Tuesday." The TRUTH is that our God is a "God of truth," just as His Torah is known as the "Torah of truth" [Torat Emet תורת אמת] in Judaism. The Torah refers to the five books of Moses, also known as the "Law of Moses," but actually is the "Law of the Lord." What is truth, and is truth what millennials call or deem as RELEVANT today? Or more importantly, does truth change over time? One thing that we can trust for sure is that the Bible is a book of truth that is eternal and can never change. The truth that we can trust is that the Scriptures are designed to reveal truth to everyone who reads or seeks to understand its REVELATION. So even though it should never change in the revelation of it's amazing wisdom and knowledge does change over time. What I understood as a child I see quite differently and more profoundly today. What I used to teach in my early years of ministry has been more rooted and grounded as I've opened up myself to the eternal truth of the Scriptures. This is a wisdom that comes from above that is often revealed to its reader at first glance. As I'm constantly asked, "Where should I begin, and how do I interpret the Bible?," I have to ask myself, "What answer is going to help the reader in this amazing journey?

REVELATION always trumps RELEVANCE, although Spirit-revealed TRUTH must be also RELEVANT to the seeker and listener. So what made Jesus relevant to His audience and how did they receive revelation from His teachings and ministry? We define RELEVANCE as that which is closely connected or appropriate to the current time, period, or circumstances. Let's go back to something He said about Himself. In the 14th chapter of John's gospel, the disciples asked Him where He was going when He discussed that He was going to prepare a place for them? He told him that they already knew the way. Of course, Thomas, who was known for a little bit of doubt and uncertainty, responded on behalf of the other disciples with the statement, "Master, we don't know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus then questions, "How long have you been following me? The Rabbi who trained these 12 men for 3 1/2 years expected them to understand the truth! By now they should know the way to the Heavenly Father! Eternal life has been a part of the Messiah's message, which was an abundant life they experienced with Him every day! Isn't this what He came to do and reveal, as He showed the Father's heart to humanity? Now TRUTH was completely embodied in one person, as he declared, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!" The Pharisees, who were divided as a religious group, often sought to kill Jesus for this statement and sacred utterance. Many of the Pharisees believed, but some plotted His death, hoping to get rid of this "troublemaker." It is on this "Holy Monday, "that Jesus pronounces seven "woes "to the Pharisees, recorded in Matthew 23.

Sometimes the truth hurts, but once we eliminate lies, the ultimate goal of truth is to heal. The words of Jesus are still relevant today because our world still disbelieves in the truth of the Scriptures. While some seek for relative truth, a true believer should search for revealed truth. Jesus said that the Father would send the Holy Spirit as another "Comforter" or "Helper," after His death, since He was their original helper or guide during His ministry on earth. The Spirit's mission now is to reveal the truth to us as we allow Him to lead us and guide us through the study of God's word. When Jesus said that He is "The Way," He was referring to Himself as God's guide of truth! This teacher from Galilee not only taught His disciples, but He also threatened the status quo of the religious structure that the Pharisees and Sadducees established in the first century. Jesus had to confront the corruption that had infiltrated Temple worship, synagogue services, and everyday life. Don't forget that this week is also called Passion Week. The word "passion" actually refers to "pain," even though we have altered the term to express something powerful, meaningful, and filled with purpose. Remember, that truth doesn't change! So what starts in PAIN can also and in PURPOSE! As we meditate on this week before the death and resurrection of God's anointed Messiah, let's consider the purpose of our pain. We will find purpose in our passion, press through the pressure, and endure the process to discover God's ultimate plan. Let's make this "Holy Tuesday" and make it a "Truthful Tuesday, as we study the eternal truth of God's Word and apply it to our daily lives.

PASSIONATE PREPARATION:

1. We passionately receive the TRUTH of God’s Word to transform our lives as we celebrate the power of the Messiah’s resurrection this Passion Week.

2. We passionately pray for the spiritual eyes of our families and friends to be opened to the TRUTH of who Jesus (Yeshua) is, as they receive Him as their Messiah, Savior, and Lord.

3. We passionately thank our God for daily revealing the TRUTH through His Holy Spirit, so that revival can come to our communities, nation, and world this holiday season.

[rabbi-brian]

PASSION FROM PALM SUNDAY TO MOTIVATION MONDAY

PASSIONATE PASSAGE:

1 Now as they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Yeshua sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village before you. Right away, you’ll find a donkey tied up and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Master needs them.’ And right away he will send them.” 4 This happened to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘See, your King is coming to you, humble and sitting on a donkey a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” - Matthew 21:1-5 (TLV)

PASSIONATE PRINCIPLE:

Yesterday was Palm Sunday, and what is called the "Triumphal Entry" into the city of Jerusalem. This was the day that the Messiah of Israel walked into the city of David and was proclaimed to be the anointed king to sit on David's throne. This was also the same day on the Jewish calendar that the Passover lambs were chosen, on the 10th day of the first month of spring, after being inspected by the priesthood at the Temple in Jerusalem, to make sure that they were spotless [Exodus 12:3]. This corresponds with "Palm Sunday" in our calendar. So here was this king riding on a donkey, as prophesied in Zechariah. "Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you, a righteous one bringing salvation. He is lowly, riding on a donkey—on a colt, the foal of a donkey [Zechariah 9:9 (TLV)]. According to one of the most famous Rabbi's and Jewish commentators of the Torah, Rashi, also known as Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac, this prophecy is concerning the King Messiah. Here is his quote: "Behold! Your king shall come to you! It is impossible to interpret this except as referring to the King Messiah, as it is stated: "and his rule shall be from sea to sea." We do not find that Israel had such a ruler during the days of the Second Temple." Many Jews around the world question the authenticity of Jesus, Yeshua in Hebrew, being the Messiah. So the question is does he fulfill this prophecy? If He is, why didn't Israel receive Him, even though they shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" We have to understand this Jewish dilemma to grasp the significance of this moment fully. The rabbis looked at all the prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures, that many call the "Old Testament," and notice two central themes. First, there was the expectation for a "Son of David" to come and restore Israel to their former glory and Davidic dynasty. This king was supposed to rule and reign forever and was believed that he would never die. Secondly, there were peculiar prophecies of a "Suffering Servant," or Messiah-like figure, who would be wounded and pierced, like David, Isaiah, Zechariah, and Daniel prophecied. Not knowing how to reconcile what seemed to be conflicting prophetic passages from the prophets of Israel, they deduced that maybe there would be two Messiahs. Israel wanted the "Son of David" to sit on his forefather's ancient throne, while the other potential candidate was called the "Son of Joseph." This individual would suffer at the hands of his brothers, like Jacob's son, Joseph did in the book of Genesis. So this monumental moment of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey was very important. Was He going to be Israel's conquering king to overthrow the Roman empire? ould He be able to establish world peace, as mentioned in Isaiah 9:6-7? Well, some rabbis believed that this prophecy would only come to pass if Israel was not ready to receive their coming king, which is why he only would come into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The prophecy of Daniel 7:13 was the preferred entry that they hoped for, where the Messiah was expected to come on "clouds of heaven," revealing his great majesty and glorious kingdom. Yeshua speaks of this rabbinical conclusion in the gospel of Matthew. "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the land will mourn, and they will see 'the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven' with power and great glory" [Matthew 24:30 (TLV)]. These words of the Messiah would not be fulfilled in His first coming, but reveal the focus of His second coming. So what was the "Triumphal Entry" all about? Even though He was riding on a donkey, as the king Messiah, ultimately that week would be a fulfillment of Isaiah 53 and Daniel 9, revealing that He would be a "Suffering Servant" on behalf of Israel, and ultimately, the whole world. John the Baptist states this goal, in the Apostle John's Gospel, in his own words, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" Jesus would become the spotless Passover Lamb! Just as the priest would examine the lamb, we should examine our Messiah! We should be able to come to the conclusion that He was spotless! as his chief disciple and Apostle declared. "You know that you were redeemed from the futile way of life handed down from your ancestors—not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with precious blood like that of a lamb without defect or spot, the blood of Messiah" [1 Peter 1:18-19 (TLV)]. Paul confirmed this truth in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, "Get rid of the old "chametz" (or leaven), so you may be a new batch, just as you are unleavened—for Messiah, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast not with old "chametz", the "chametz" of malice and wickedness, but with unleavened bread—the matzah ["unleavened bread"] of sincerity and truth. (TLV). Today, this passage of Scripture should be our MOTIVATION, as we prepare for Passover, and get ready to receive the Lamb of God, and remove the leaven of pride and arrogance from our lives!

PASSIONATE PERPARATION:

1. We passionately prepare for our soon coming King to return, as we are motivate to remove spiritual leaven and pride from our lives.

2. We passionately pray for our families and households to be safe and secure under the “blood of the Lamb,” until this viral plague is defeated.

3. We passionately praise our God for His deliverance and saving power as we reach our communities with the Good News of the Messiah this season.