Did you know that Easter traditionally is celebrated in the liturgical calendar for seven weeks? It all culminates on Pentecost, which this year is May 31st, 2020.
So in keeping with this amazing season our team member Stephen Carter has given us some great reflections. We will post these throughout the week leading up to the last Feast of Easter, Pentecost. Take it away Stephen!
Looking to Easter, celebrating the Passover and building a new tradition.
We were given a unique opportunity this year to recapture how God designed his people to live. We couldn’t meet together (with everyone at home during the COVID-19 pandemic). Given these special circumstances, Easter took on a deeply personal flavor.
“But to all who did receive him,
who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God,
who were born,
not of blood
nor of the will of the flesh
nor of the will of man,
but of God.”
John 1:12-13 ESV
Here are some good reflection questions to ask yourself:
What did Holy Week look like to you?
How did you mark this time...how was different from other days or holidays?
How did the world celebrate and how did you possibly redeem it this year?
We are sequestered just like the Israelites were, in their homes the night of Passover. This unknown & scary time, just as it was for them during the last of the plagues, the death angel would pass over the families that obeyed the instructions of Moses. They were called to action, they were called to come together as a family, and the men were called to be the priest of their homes.
“and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
Exodus 19:6
“but you shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast.”
Isaiah 61:6
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
1 Peter 2:9
“and make us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen”
Revelation 1:6
What was your new focus this Easter season?
I encourage you to re-read these passages and ask that question, even as we head into the last of the 7 weeks of Easter.
Exodus 4-12 Moses, Pharaoh & The Passover
Matthew 26:17-29 Jesus celebrates The Passover
Matthew 27:26-66 The Crucifixion
Matthew 28 The Resurrection & Commission
Resources for going deeper:
How to celebrate The Passover, a guide and resources.