S p r i n g F e a s t D e vot i o n a l Day 1 : : A S a b bat h t h e y a r e m y a p p o i n t e d f e a s t s.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture will be quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL. 2010 Joel M. Usina
This devotional is to begin the Sabbath following the Passover Meal. Day 1 :: A Sabbath Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 CORINTHIANS 5:6-8 At a few places throughout the Gospels, Jesus uses the idea of leaven to represent the corrupt parts of the religious leaders teachings (Matt 16:6, 11-12; Mark 8:15; Luke 12:1). However, other times Jesus uses leaven to represent an aspect of the Kingdom of God: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened (Matt 13:33). In the passage above, and also in Galatians 5:9, Paul uses the idea of leaven to represent the corruption that had taken place among the believers where he had preached the good news; whether corrupt teachings and/or behaviors. It is clear that leaven is meant to be symbolic. The author of Hebrews stated, See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled (Heb 12:15). Moses declares in Deuteronomy: Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit (29:18). Surely the company we keep, plus our behaviors and words, are a source of powerful influence, whether good or bad. During this time of celebration and remembrance, let us desire and choose to have our hearts cleansed of any leaven that does not represent God. Let us also surround ourselves regularly with a holy convocation, partaking of the bread of sincerity and truth, that we may worship the Lord our God in spirit and in truth! Father in Heaven: truly your Son, our Savior, went to his death as a spotless sacrifice. He who knew no sin became a sin offering that those who follow him would become evidence of your covenant faithfulness! During this time of remembrance and thanks, we ask you to cleanse the thoughts of our hearts and minds by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ Jesus our Lord. Purge any evil from within us and fill us with sincerity and truth. Sanctify us by your truth; your word is truth. Amen.
Day 2 :: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. HEBREWS 11:1-2, 6 Jesus had been executed. Moreover, Jesus was hung on a tree. All the Jews of that day knew that any man who was hung on a tree was cursed (Deut 21:23). How could this be happening? the disciples must have thought. Surely our Rabbi was the promised Messiah the Righteous One who was to save us and restore the fortunes of Israel! Scripture tell us that after Jesus was crucified those who had followed him went home grieving. Even prior to his death the disciples had already deserted him when the Roman guards came to arrest him. Surely these events caused much confusion, doubt, sadness, disillusionment, and even frustration not to mention, hopelessness. Luke records, The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment (23:55-56). There is no doubt that everyone thought it was over. Only in hindsight can we today expect those who followed Jesus to know that he was to rise from the dead. If no one expected Jesus, the Messiah, to die such a death, how much more did no one expected that he was to rise from the grave? Yes, Jesus told them what was to happen (Matt12:40; 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22; John 2:19). Yes, this was foretold by the prophets. Yet it was God s good pleasure to conceal the matter until the proper time. Isaiah s words ring true: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9) In between the crucifixion and the resurrection, the disciples of Jesus had to wonder: What do we do now? Where do we go now? How can we continue? When we face times like this in our journey of faith, let us take heed to what Paul says in Romans: For in this hope we are saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? (Romans 8:24)
Day 3 :: first fruits You shall bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:20 Two disciples of Jesus were walking to a village called Emmaus, discussing the events that had recently taken place. Seemingly out of no where, Jesus comes along side them and joins them. However, at that point, these disciples eyes were kept from recognizing him. Jesus asks them, What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk? (Luke 24:13ff). They stopped, looked at the ground in their sadness, and then Cleopas said to him, Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days? Jesus answered, What things? Cleopas said, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see. Jesus responded, Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? Luke then records, And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Just like Abraham had received Isaac back from the dead, so too God would not let his Holy One see corruption (Ps 16:10; Acts 2:27). Just like Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers and then exalted to the right hand of Pharaoh, so too Jesus descended into a pit and would soon be exalted to the right hand of God the Father! Just like the tomb where Joseph s bones were laid, so too the tomb of Jesus would not hold his bones (Gen 50:25; Ex 13:19). Even though it was the will of the LORD to crush him, after Jesus life made an offering for sin, he was to be resurrected! (Is 53:10). Jesus was raised to life as the firstfruits among those who have believed, who do believe, and who will believe (1 Cor 15:23). LORD: Grant that we may live through the power of the resurrection, walking in your Spirit as we have been called and chosen to do! Amen.
Day 4 : : Put on then, as God s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. COLOSSIANS 3:12-14 God yearns to be with his people. He created humans to have intimate fellowship with us. This relationship is disrupted and severed due to our decision to sin. However, God, in his abundant mercies and according to his hesed (lovingkindness), has made a way for that relationship to be re-established through the work of his Son, Jesus. The way has been shown and the offer put on the table for all who would receive him. How fitting for us to revel in the salvation of the LORD during this time. In times past, during this very season, God wrought similar wonders for his people. For four hundred years the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. God delivered them with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. The LORD brought them through the sea on dry ground and gathered them at Mt. Sinai. God declared to them through Moses, You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:4-6) Clearly the LORD had it in mind that his people should be distinct. In other words, God s will for them was their sanctification, that is, to be set apart. Not set apart for the sake of being different, but specifically in order to not just accurately represent their Savior, but more importantly to facilitate a lifestyle that would allow a holy God to dwell among a sin-tainted people. No doubt with similar things in mind, Paul would repeatedly instruct, exhort, and encourage those whom he guided to live a life worthy of their calling (Eph 4:1ff). Because we have been redeemed, let us then learn from Christ God himself! and conform our lives to the ways that he taught and walked! His ways will be our sanctification: Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17). Thank you Father, for you have shown us your good way most clearly through your Son. May we ever grow more knowledgeable and reflect your character in our daily activities. Allow our lights to shine that others may see our good deeds and glorify you! Amen.
Day 5 : : Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. COLOSSIANS 3:16 The LORD has redeemed a people. Now, one at a time, whoever receives Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior becomes a child of God through adoption (Eph 1:5); they are made a part of his people called Israel (Rom 9-11; Eph 2-3). Sanctified by the Son, and in the process of sanctification through obedience, we have been given all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:3-4). However, the world to come has not fully arrived. We still remain in the flesh; thus, remnants of sin still exist in us (Rom 7:23). Because sin still exists in us, we stumble. However, the righteous falls seven times and rises again (Prov 24:16). Plus, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Though we have the firstfruits of the Spirit (Rom 8:23) and we are a kind of firstfruits of [God s] creatures (James 1:18), we remain in a corrupt anti-kingdom-of-god world. We are sojourners. We are foreigners. This present earth is not our home. We, like Abraham, desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one (Heb 11:16). Even though sin remains in our flesh and we remain in this world, God has called us to partner with him to repair the brokenness around us (1 Cor 3:9). We are like living stones [that] are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Pet 2:5). We, like Abraham, have been blessed in order to be a blessing (Gen 12:2-3). Therefore, Paul encourages fellow believers to teach and admonish one another. The author of Hebrews reminds the believers to not fail to meet together for fellowship (10:25). God knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust (Ps 103:14). Just like the LORD has compassion and passion, we too must remember each other in these ways. Be encouraged that our God is faithful. Be encouraged that his promise is sure. Be encouraged and take joy because we are God s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2).
Day 6 : : Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 1 PETER 1:5-7 Those who have been brought near to the Father by the blood of Jesus have been given a foretaste of the world to come. God has blessed us in order to be a blessing. God has granted that we have access through his Son to the abundant life that he has designed for his creation. We, having come to Christ, are called to live by faith, or rather, live faithfully. Though we remain in our sin-tainted, mortal flesh, God has designed a way in order for his people to be consistent in bearing good fruit. This is necessary in order to live worthy of the call to which we have been called. We are ambassadors of God on this earth, praying, Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on this earth as it is in Heaven. The way to produce good fruit starts with faith and ends with love. To our faith we must add virtue good, moral character to our being. Knowledge is necessary then in order to understand what and to whom we are supposed to conform. Self-control allows the practiced virtue to become us and it keeps our knowledge subjected to humility. Steadfastness strengthens our witness and further develops Christ s character in us. Godliness manifests our ability to accurately represent the God of the universe. Brotherly affection produces compassion that causes us to redeem the broken with outstretched arms, while always seeking to be at peace with others. Love envelops all the former making us the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing (2 Cor 2:15). We are encouraged and have full assurance when Peter says, For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:8). This process is not just linear, but also cyclical. Furthermore, we would do well to understand that it is possible to add one aspect to another while simultaneously adding another aspect to a different one. This describes the sanctification we experience on the other side of salvation; a sanctification that Paul taught in order to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of [Jesus ] name among all the nations (Rom 1:5). Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (John 15:4)
Day 7 :: A Sabbath Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? DEUTERONOMY 4:34 God said to Abraham, Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions (Gen 15:13-14). God held true to his promise. The passage above from Deuteronomy testifies! We would do well to take note of this event because a similar one is yet to come, but, on a much larger scale. Our Passover lamb has been sacrificed; his blood has been applied to the lintels of our hearts. Just like the Israelites were told to eat the Passover meal with their belts on, their sandals on their feet, and staff in hand, we too are told to be ready (Matt 24:44). Jesus says he will return like a thief in the night. Just like in the days of Noah when they were enjoying life with no worries, suddenly the flood came. Likewise, the return of the Messiah will be unexpected at least for some. Paul is clear in his first letter to the Thessalonians when he says, But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief (5:4). The Israelites were ready, Noah and his family were ready; the events of the exodus and the flood did not surprise them. Likewise, for us who anticipate Jesus return, it should not surprise us when it happens: For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness (2 Thess 5:5). What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God? (2 Pet 3:11-12). And, according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (v. 13). We are Kingdom people now, but have yet to enter into that final and full rest (Heb 4). Let us strive diligently then to enter into that rest by remaining faithful to God, remaining steadfast, and ready for his return! God: we stand in anticipation of the consummation of your promise. Thank you for the blood of Messiah that has transferred us into your Kingdom where we can dwell with you and be filled with the hope of the resurrection, whereby we will enter into glory with you! Amen.
Feast of weeks :: A Sabbath This devotion is to be read either on the eve of Pentecost or during the day of the feast. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds, then he adds, I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more. HEBREWS 10:15-16 The book of Exodus records, And [God] gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God (31:18). Jesus declares in Luke, But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you (11:20). However, in Matthew, Jesus said, But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you (12:28). The finger of God is another way of saying the Spirit of God ; this phrase is a Hebrew idiom. In Deuteronomy, Moses declares to God s people, Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart (6:4-6). Moses later declares: And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live (30:6). In Romans, Paul says, But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter (2:29). Paul says in Colossians, In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ (2:11). Over and over the Scriptures testify to God s ultimate desire concerning his creation and his commandments. Especially clear is, And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. (Ezkiel 36:26-27) At Mt. Sinai God wrote his commandments on stone. Hundreds of centuries later, at the celebration of this event (Pentecost; Acts 2), the Spirit of God descended in a fresh way, writing God s commandments on the hearts of the disciples. This displayed the continual fulfillment of the promise spoken before hand by the prophets (Jer. 31:31-34). How much then should we anticipate the ultimate fulfillment of this promise at the consummation of the new covenant when Christ returns as King!