Select Your Passover Lamb
I’m Reminded
I’m reminded when looking over our copy of the Hebrew Observational Calendar that today is the day that we would select the unblemished animal of the first-year that would serve as our paschal lamb.
Choosing a Lamb Today
Certainly, today, the vast majority of us who keep Passover would not consider actually taking a lamb or kid into our homes for four-days in anticipation of slaying and consuming it during a passover observance. I say this despite knowing that several members of our Faith Community make this very thing a yearly practice, which I find a bit bizarre since both Apostles Shaul (Paul) and Peter (Kefa) rightly taught that Yahoshua our Messiah is our Pesach (i.e., our Passover) (cf., I Corinthians 5:7 and I Peter 1:19 respectively). Thus there is no longer any spiritual reason to slay a lamb for Passover. Yahoshua paid the price for our reconciliation with the Creator of the Universe and our salvation once and for all.
The Literal vs. Spiritual
I get that some folks in our Community are literalists and choose to leave nothing to chance regarding their personal keeping of Pesach; or for that matter, the keeping of the whole of Torah. Indeed, Shaul (Paul) with great wisdom counseled that “each of us must be convinced in our own minds” regarding the various elements of our Faith (Romans 14:5). Thus, I can cast no judgment or criticism towards those who choose to take this very literal path of Pesach celebration. More power and blessings to them…that is, as long as they do not insist that the Body out of obedience to their version of Torah must follow their lead.
The Spiritual Arm of Choosing a Lamb
However, as it relates to this particular day of this Month of the Aviv—this being the 10th day according to the Hebrew Observational Calendar—I’m really focusing on the spiritual aspects of this instruction that was given to us during our very last days in Egypt. And yes, I realize that some question the whole “spiritualization” of Torah that I tend to do quite often, choosing instead, to view all aspects of Torah-keeping from a literal perspective. While I honestly do embrace the study and keeping of Torah from a literal perspective overall—with a handful of exceptions (those being a topic for another day)—I am more inclined to lean upon the instructions of our Master Yahoshua Messiah in my studies and keeping of Torah. Master proclaimed to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well:
“But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. God (Yah) is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23,24; CSB).
Keeping Passover in Spirit and Truth
Personally, I would like to think that I am one of those people who worship Abba in spirit and truth, just as Abba desires of all His chosen ones. So yes, I tend to view Torah first from a spiritual—Messiah-centric perspective and then from a literal perspective. This would probably give some of my readers pause for concern, but we must consider how Paul’s teachings put Torah into its proper perspective for us Torah Observant Believers in Yeshua Messiah when He wrote to the Roman Assembly of Messianic Believers:
“ For the goal at which the Torah aims is the Messiah, who offers righteousness to everyone who trust” (Romans 10:4; CJB).
Messiah is the Goal of Torah
So if our Master is the goal—or the “telos”–the fulfillment; the culmination; the utmost; the outcome—of Torah, it behooves us to factor Him into every page of Torah we read; every Feast/Festival we keep and observe and celebrate; every teaching we give and listen to. Otherwise, we run the inevitable risk of being mechanical Torah-keepers and deniers of Messiah, which I would summit that so many of us have succumb to.
So Which Lamb Will We Choose Today?
Thus, the question I am asking you today is the same question I asked myself this morning: which lamb are you going to choose for your Pesach this year? And I suppose that some of you reading this post may be confused or even put-off by this question. And that’s okay. You see, when we are questioned about certain aspects of our Faith and those questions challenge us, make us uncomfortable, or even annoy us, we are forced to make a stand or take a position on that matter. And my challenge to each of us today—on this 14th day of the Month of the Aviv—is to choose the proper lamb for our Pesach observance, keeping and celebration.
Keeping Passover Individually
Indeed, we were instructed by Abba to keep the Passover unto Yehovah our Elohim (Deuteronomy 16:1). That instruction is obviously non-negotiable. No doubt, many of us will participate in a full-on Jewish Passover Seder this year along with all the traditions and trappings that tend to go along with it. That’s one end of the spectrum. The other end of the Pesach spectrum is simply acknowledging the day with maybe a passing scripture reading and prayer. Again, how any of us celebrates or keeps Passover is between Father and us as individuals. Yes, it would be nice if we all could agree upon one way to celebrate the day, but that is not likely going to happen anytime soon. The Body of Messiah has been tasked with actually working this thing out (Colossians 2:16,17). However, we have not reached that point as a unified Body and my hope and prayer is that someday we will get there.
Nevertheless, until that time, it falls to us as individuals and families to establish how we will keep Torah—specifically as it relates to this post—how we will keep Passover. I say first and foremost, we must look to Yeshua our Messiah and Father’s precious Holy Spirit (i.e, Ruach HaKodesh) for direction. And then Guard the Month of the Aviv with all diligence, faith, zeal, love, solemnity and hope that we can muster.
Yeshua is Our Passover
Yes, Yeshua is the Paschal Lamb that we must choose for our Pesach today. He offers Himself up to us freely and lovingly and it’s up to each of us to take Him into our lives—especially during these holy days. Master had the Apostle John write to the seven-churches (i.e., ekklessias) of the apocalypse):
“Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:20, 21; CSB).
We’ve Chosen Yeshua as our Paschal Lamb
We’ve decided to select Yahoshua again this year as my Paschal Lamb. And yes, we will be inviting Yeshua into our home and into our hearts, minds and souls this Passover to sup with us and we with Him. His sacrifice will be the focus of our observance. The renewed covenant He facilitated will be the covenant that we will embrace and dwell upon. His commandments we will lovingly keep. Abba Father we will jealously give praise, honor and glorify to.
Will you join me in selecting Him—Yahoshua HaMashiyach–to be your Paschal Lamb today?
May you have a blessed and meaningful Pesach season.
Warmest and blessed Shalom.
My Thoughts and Reflections on Whether Messianics/Netsarim Should Take Part in the Upcoming Electoral Process
Greetings Greetings saints of the Most High. I'm Rod Thomas coming to you from the DFW on a rather stormy first day of the week. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to fellowship with me and as always beloved, it is my hope, trust, and prayer that...
When Torah Becomes a Witness Against Us — My Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 148
These are my thoughts and reflections on Torah Reading 148. I’ve been led to entitle this discussion: When Torah Becomes a Witness Against Us.” Our reading this week is found in Deuteronomy/Devarim 31.14-30. Key Themes and Concepts Found in our Parashah this...
Be Strong and Courageous — My Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 147
Greetings saints of the Most High. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to fellowship with me here on this blessed day of rest in Yeshua Messiah. And as always, it is my hope, trust, and prayer that this installment of the Messianic Torah Observer...
Operating in Set-Apart Community Relationships — Torah Reading 142 Thoughts and Reflections
Shalom and Greetings Greetings saints of the Most High. Rod Thomas coming to you on a warm by beautiful Sabbath in the DFW. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to fellowship with me here on this blessed day of rest in Yeshua Messiah. And as always...
The Realities of the Messianic’s Ongoing War Against this World — Torah Reading 141 Thoughts and Reflections
As I am recording and publishing this installment of TMTO, it is July 20, 2024. It is the 13th Day of the 4th Month of Yah's Calendar Year. So much is going on in the world today. And if you miss a news cycle, you stand a good chance of missing some...
Operating in a Set-Apart-Kingdom Fashion– Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 140
Greetings saints of the Most High. This is Rod Thomas coming to you from the DFW on a rather steamy but blessed Sabbath. I want to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to fellowship with me here on upcoming day of rest in Yeshua Messiah. And as...
John’s Baptism of Repentance–Part 4 of True Biblical Baptism Series
Quick Rehashing of the Previous Parts to this Series This is “John’s Baptism: A Baptism of Repentance.” It is part 4 of our True Biblical Baptism Series. If you’ve not already either read or listened to the previous 3 installments in this series, I humbly...
Offering Unblemished Animal Sacrifices – Idolatry and Paganism Warrants Capital Punishment – God’s Choice of King to Reign Over Us-Thoughts & Reflections on Torah Reading 139
This is the 139th Reading of our 3-year Torah Reading cycle that is found in Deuteronomy/Devarim 17:1-20. It is a continuation of Reading 138 (the previous week's reading). I've entitled this teaching: "Offering Unblemished Animal Sacrifices-Idolatry and Paganism...
The Immersion of the Two Pentecosts/Shavuots–Part 3 of our True Biblical Baptism Series
As I am recording and posting this installment of TMTO, it is Preparation Day, June 14, 2024. It is the 48th day of the counting of the omer, which means that Shavuot/Pentecost/Feast of Weeks is just two-days away, on Sunday, June 16, 2024. And yes, some members of...
Shavuot-Pentecost-Feast of Weeks — Timing is Everything
Shalom and greetings from the DFW. Trusting, hoping, and praying that this post finds you, your families, and your fellowships are well and blessed. This very short post is entitled: Shavuot-Pentecost-Feast of Weeks-Timing is Everything. As I write and record this...