Why is the Passover still observed?

[FWI]

When, the true meaning of the Passover was to protect the first born of the Israelites from the death angel, which passed through Egypt. The eating of a meal had little to do with this reality…Except, what to do with the lambs, which would be killed! Yet, the lambs haven't been able to be killed, since about 70 A.D. (no temple), then what's the purpose? Even, Christianity and the N.T. suggests that there is a "connection" between the Passover and the death of the Christ.

So, is there a benefit for both Jews and Christians to observe the Passover? And, if so, what is it?

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 1 by FWI]

It was part of the Mosaic law so I suppose those that believe it is still in action will observe the laws therein. I'm not sure that even a lot of Christians actually understand that since the Passover was once a year and Jesus waited specifically to ask his death be commemorated that self same night, that the evening meal ("The last supper") like the Passover that prefigured it, should also be an annual (not a weekly or daily ceremony).


This year JW will will commemorate the death of Christ on Friday 19th April.


So, is there a benefit for both Jews and Christians to observe the Passover? And, if so, what is it?

The history of the Jews is , I believe, part of Gods word and as such is always beneficial to meditate on. The Passover was so the Jewish people could understand the fundamental principle of RANSOM" (namely the price paid for freedom). Sadly the lesson seemed to have been lost on them, since the majority of Jews rejected "the real" passover lamb.

This is like a wife, every night before going to sleep, kissing the picture of her absent husband, who is away at war, fighting for her and her country, ... but slamming the door in his face when he finally comes home.

It really is inexcusable; just as the wife should have known the point wasn't just the empty gesture of kissing the picture, that the picture represented a flesh and blood reality, so the Jewish people should have known the point wasnt just to kill a lamb.

There are so many more aspects of the Passover that are valuable for a Christian to meditate on. That said it would, imo, be a sign of gross ingratitude for a Christian to actually celebrate the Passover. Akin to divorcing the man but marrying his picture!



JW

[bjs]

[Replying to FWI]

The Passover was about more than just surviving the tenth plague. It symbolized God’s act of freeing His people (both figuratively and literally), giving His law, and establishing a covenant with His people. Jews continue to celebrate that event much the way Christians celebrate Easter. Jesus rose from the dead once, but we commemorate the event each year.

Many Jews continue to eat recently killed lamb at Passover. Kosher butchers cater specifically to that event. Some Jews still put some blood on the doorframe of their homes. The practice of killing the lamb personally was still common until a little over a century ago.

[FWI]

[Replying to post 2 by JehovahsWitness]

This year JW will commemorate the death of Christ on Friday 19th April.

The idea that the bible teaches that Christians should celebrate, show respect for or recall (commemorate) the false arrest, the humiliation, the disrespect and beatings, as well as: the crucifixion of the Son of God, seems to have a Dark Ages approach to it. Thus, rehashing this terrible event on a regularly basis seems to be "out of place" with the remainder of the gospel or good news…

It is my belief that the Christ would want us to remember him for the good that he accomplished and the future peace and happiness, which he will bring when he returns, to establish God's Kingdom on this earth.

The Passover was so the Jewish people could understand the fundamental principle of RANSOM" (namely the price paid for freedom).

Well, the story seems to indicate that it was the Egyptians who paid the price for ignoring God's command, not the Israelites…However, they (the Israelites) surely would have had their pride and belief that their God was more powerful than the Egyptian's gods, greatly enriched…

There are so many more aspects of the Passover that are valuable for a Christian to meditate on.

Please, name some of them.

[FWI]

[Replying to bjs]

The Passover was about more than just surviving the tenth plague.

The story in Exodus tells us that "twice" the Pharaoh of Egypt "hardened" his mind related to God's demand. Where, God "hardened" the Pharaoh's mind six times. Hence, this is a clear indication that God prolonged the plagues, because of Pharaoh's unbelief. Yet, God did not harden the mind of Pharaoh, related to the tenth plague. The point here is that God's intent was to have "Pharaoh" release the Israelites (which he did), by recognizing God's authority over him. So, all the plagues, especially the tenth plague were a clear example, where God separated the Israelites from the Egyptians.

However, there was only one way that the Israelites firstborns would have survived. This is the Passover…It had little to do with the eventual release of all the remaining Israelites, who weren't firstborns. The reality is that some Israelite families (probably) did experience their firstborn dying. So, the Passover was unique in this way…Laws or commandments didn't come until afterwards.

Many Jews continue to eat recently killed lamb at Passover.

This is meaningless! The only authorized means, by which the Passover lambs could be sacrificed was within the temple of God. This type of deciding what is permissible to God is common place among men. Yet, still unlawful…

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 4 by FWI]

This year JW will commemorate the death of Christ on Friday 19th April.

LUKE 22:19
Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: This means my body which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me. - NWT

1CORINTHIANS 11: 23-25

"For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night+ on which he was going to be betrayed took a loaf, and after giving thanks, he broke it and said: This means my body, which is in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me. He did the same with the cup also, after they had the evening meal, saying: This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood. Keep doing this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. - NWT

Are you aware that the bible record has Jesus commanding his disciples to commemorate his death? That it is ( with the exception of the baptism of new disciples)e ONLY religious ceremony initiated by Christ in scripture?


Are you suggest that obeying Jesus' request as recorded in the bible is a "bad" thing for believers to do and that bible believing Christians should ignore what the bible says Christ asked them to do, in order to better please Christ ?




JEHOVAH'S WITNESS


RELATED POSTS

When did the biblical PASSOVER meal take place?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 932#893932

Is there scriptural support for the commemoration of Christ's death?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 17#p961417

Who annually attend the memorial each year?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 16#p961916

[bjs]

This is meaningless! The only authorized means, by which the Passover lambs could be sacrificed was within the temple of God. This type of deciding what is permissible to God is common place among men. Yet, still unlawful…

There was no Temple of God when the first Passover was celebrated, nor would there be for the next five hundred Passovers. Even when there was a Temple, there was never a command to move Passover celebrations to the Temple nor is there evidence that people ceased celebrating the Passover in the homes in favor of the Temple. The Passover has always been celebrated primarily in individual homes and that has never been unlawful.

[JehovahsWitness]

There are so many more aspects of the Passover that are valuable for a Christian to meditate on.

Please, name some of them.

You've named two already...

... it was the Egyptians who paid the price for ignoring God's command, not the Israelites…

# LESSON: Those that will fully ignore God's commands will have to pay the price for doing so.

PSALMS 37:9

For evil men will be done away with but those hoping in Jehovah will possess the earth.

.... they (the Israelites) surely would have had their pride and belief that their God was more powerful than the Egyptian's gods

# LESSON : Jehovah (YHWH) is the Almighty (all powerful), He is the Creator and supreme ruler of the universe, no other god comes close to him in power.

PSALMS 37:9

For this is what Jehovah says, The Creator of the heavens,+ the true God, The One who formed the earth, its Maker who firmly established it ... “I am Jehovah, and there is no one else.

Returning to the Ransom...

...the lamb died so that someone else didn't have to.

# LESSON YHWH (Jehovah) reserves the right to take a life or redeem one. Because he is merciful he will always provide a means by which the righteous can be redeemed/ repurchased/ransomed.

COLOSSIANS 1: 13-16

He rescued us from the authority of the darkness+ and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, by means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of our sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth

Do not mess with God's people. The Egyptians oppressed and enslaved God's people it Jehovah (YHWH) was not insensitive to their suffering

#LESSON Jehovah is loyal and will always defend his people; while He does so in his good time, those that oppress and persecute his own will be sorry they did so.

ZECHARIAH 2:8

For this is what Jehovah of armies says, who after being glorified has sent me to the nations that were plundering you: ‘Whoever touches you touches the pupil of my eye.* For now I will wave my hand against them, and they will become plunder for their own slaves.’ And you will certainly know that Jehovah of armies has sent me.

JEHOVAH'S WITNESS



RELATED POSTS

What are the aspects of the Passover that are valuable for a Christian to meditate on?
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How is Jesus our "Passover"?
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Are Christians under obligation to observe the Jewish PASSOVER?
viewtopic.php?p=1042845#p1042845

To learn more please go to other posts related to ...

THE PASSOVER, THE MOSAIC LAW COVENANT and ... SABBATH KEEPING

[FWI]

[Replying to post 7 by bjs]

There was no Temple of God when the first Passover was celebrated, nor would there be for the next five hundred Passovers. Even when there was a Temple, there was never a command to move Passover celebrations to the Temple nor is there evidence that people ceased celebrating the Passover in the homes in favor of the Temple. The Passover has always been celebrated primarily in individual homes and that has never been unlawful.

It is common knowledge that before 70 A.D, the Israelites were required to meet in Jerusalem or the place where God chose to place His name, for the sacrificing of the Passover lambs and eating the meal. They were also commanded not to sacrifice the Passover within any of their gates (Deut. 16:5). Thus, to have a Passover meal, you "must have" a Passover lamb that was killed in the temple at Jerusalem or a place where God put His authority and name upon…Where, the place (other than Jerusalem) cannot be decided by men, but only by God!

Therefore, since God was extremely active in Egypt during the time period of the first Passover, it is understood that God placed His name upon the area, where the Israelites dwelt! There is ample evidence to support this claim. After, this first Passover; God commanded the tabernacle to be built and to be movable…In Exodus 40 it is recorded that the tabernacle (temporary temple) was completed on the first day, of the first month, in the second year after leaving Egypt. So, on the fourteenth day of the first month, in the second year of leaving Egypt, the Passover lambs were killed in the tabernacle. This would continue until a permanent temple was built (1 Chronicles 22-29 and 2 Chronicles 1-7) or because of disobedience, the Israelites were prevented from observing this blessing.

Even, the N.T. clearly shows that the nation of Israel (including the Christ) would travel to Jerusalem to observe the Passover yearly…Where, all who lived outside of Jerusalem did not eat the Passover meal within their gates (towns or homes)!

Here's another "tidbit" to the reality of the Passover, especially for those who hold that there is a connection between the Christ's offering and the Passover: "The Passover sacrifice was not a sin offering." So, neither was the Christ's offering!

So, it is clear that the Passover and all of its statutes cannot be observed properly today. This cannot be disputed, even though some try…The Jews today understand this and are eagerly awaiting the time when the temple will be partially restored, so that they can properly obey God's instructions or so they think…The problem is: Why did God permit the temple to be destroyed in the first place? The reason hasn't changed for almost 2000 years. Or, why haven't the Jews just reconstructed a new tabernacle or temple inside the territory they control? The answer is clear: God is not permitting them to do so.

[FWI]

[Replying to post 7 by bjs]

There was no Temple of God when the first Passover was celebrated, nor would there be for the next five hundred Passovers. Even when there was a Temple, there was never a command to move Passover celebrations to the Temple nor is there evidence that people ceased celebrating the Passover in the homes in favor of the Temple. The Passover has always been celebrated primarily in individual homes and that has never been unlawful.

It is common knowledge that before 70 A.D, the Israelites were required to meet in Jerusalem or the place where God chose to place His name, for the sacrificing of the Passover lambs and eating the meal. They were also commanded not to sacrifice the Passover within any of their gates (Deut. 16:5). Thus, to have a Passover meal, you "must have" a Passover lamb that was killed in the temple at Jerusalem or a place where God put His authority and name upon…Where, the place (other than Jerusalem) cannot be decided by men, but only by God!

Therefore, since God was extremely active in Egypt during the time period of the first Passover, it is understood that God placed His name upon the area, where the Israelites dwelt! There is ample evidence to support this claim. After, this first Passover; God commanded the tabernacle to be built and to be movable…In Exodus 40 it is recorded that the tabernacle (temporary temple) was completed on the first day, of the first month, in the second year after leaving Egypt. So, on the fourteenth day of the first month, in the second year of leaving Egypt, the Passover lambs were killed in the tabernacle. This would continue until a permanent temple was built (1 Chronicles 22-29 and 2 Chronicles 1-7) or because of disobedience, the Israelites were prevented from observing this blessing.

Even, the N.T. clearly shows that the nation of Israel (including the Christ) would travel to Jerusalem to observe the Passover yearly…Where, all who lived outside of Jerusalem did not eat the Passover meal within their gates (towns or homes)!

Here's another "tidbit" to the reality of the Passover, especially for those who hold that there is a connection between the Christ's offering and the Passover: "The Passover sacrifice was not a sin offering." So, neither was the Christ's offering!

So, it is clear that the Passover and all of its statutes cannot be observed properly today. This cannot be disputed, even though some try…The Jews today understand this and are eagerly awaiting the time when the temple will be partially restored, so that they can properly obey God's instructions or so they think…The problem is: Why did God permit the temple to be destroyed in the first place? The reason hasn't changed for almost 2000 years. Or, why haven't the Jews just reconstructed a new tabernacle or temple inside the territory they control? The answer is clear: God is not permitting them to do so.