TIME TO RECLINE

The Gospel of Matthew (26:20) makes a point of letting us know that Jesus was “reclining at the table” during His Passover Seder with His disciples. Why did Matthew do that?

When God told Moses and the Israelites to celebrate Passover (1500 years before Yeshua’s Seder with the disciples), they were to do so with their staff in hand and sandals on their feet. You see, they were an enslaved people, but at the moment of their liberation, they had to be ready to move forward.

Then the Lamb is killed, his blood put on the doorposts of the Israelite homes. The death angel comes. Pharoah’s firstborn is killed along with the firstborn of all of Egypt that were not under the blood!

Then Yeshua comes. The One who was their Bread of Life–pure and sinless like unleavened bread…like the manna that had come from heaven. Yeshua was seated among them–the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, the spotless Lamb of God.

The One who had and would purchase their freedom was among them. So what did He do? Yeshua illustrated “resting” for them . . . and John followed suit. As the Lord reclined, John leaned against the Lord’s breast, enjoying His presence, and he ate lovingly and gratefully of the Passover Meal with the Passover Lamb.

John had found the key to “resting”; therefore, he was able to follow Yeshua to the cross, to receive the Lord’s mother as his own, and to outrun Peter as they scurried to the tomb to investigate Mary’s report of the missing body.

There IS a key to resting. Knowing that our Lamb has paid the price for sin.  Defeated it on the cross. Stripped it of its power to enslave and destroy. Rendered it powerless because of the blood. A battle against sin is not OUR war. We’ve been given the green light to “recline.” No more slaves to sin . . . but free in Yeshua. Free to enjoy Him! It’s time to recline!

Abba, teach us how to rest.