The passover was first kept by the children of Israel when they were still slaves of an Assyrian Pharaoh in Egypt. The people were told by Moses to take a lamb that had no spot, no uncleanness, and kill it. They were to put the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe of their houses. Then they were to cook the lamb in a specific way, and eat it in a specific way. In obeying this odd ritual, they were saving the lives of their firstborn- both children and animals.
Many years later, Jesus kept the passover with His disciples right before He was betrayed and crucified.
Luke 22:7-12- Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
Jesus came to fulfill the law. He was the perfect, sinless, spotless Lamb of God sent to take away the sins of the entire world- past, present, and future. Because He kept the law, He participated in the passover.
He told two of His disciples, Peter and John, some instructions for that we can learn from today.
First, He told them that they had to prepare for the passover. No one has a feast without some preparation. No one goes on a journey without getting ready to leave first. SO, to have a successful passover we must prepare.
How?
First, Jesus told them to go into the city and meet a man bearing a pitcher of water. Sounds insignificant, doesn't it? But, if you know what water represents in the Bible it's VERY important.
John 4:13-14- Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 7:38- He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Water, in the Bible, represents a new life given by believing the Savior! To prepare for your passover, you must get saved. One day, we will all passover from this physical, earthy realm to a spiritual realm. If you haven't accepted Christ as your Savior you will go to the realm that was created for the devil and his angels- hell. But, if you accept what Christ did on Calvary as the payment for your sins then you will go to the realm that is in the presence of the Lord God Almighty where there is more wonders than tongue could ever tell, heaven.
But, it all starts by finding the man with the pitcher of water.
Once Peter and John found this man, they were to follow him into a house. Once you find the person that can tell you how to be saved, you need to follow him to the house of God.
Hebrews 10:25- Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Everyone has more to learn about any given subject. To learn more about being a doctor you go to medical school. To learn more about computers you go to a technical college. There are even some places where you can receive on-the-job training. To learn more about God you have to go where they teach about Him- the local Bible Believing church.
The church is there to help you grow, to encourage you, to rebuke you when you need it, and to help you out when you feel discouraged or stuck. But, the only way to really grow as a Christian is to go to the house of God!
Peter and John not only had to go to the house, but they had to talk to the man of the house. They had to ask him questions to find out where they should go.
Ephesians 4:11-14- And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
If you have questions, you should be able to ask your pastor. And, your pastor should be able to point to Scripture and give you an answer. If your pastor gives you his opinion instead of God's Word on the matter then you need to find another church!
The man of the house showed Peter and John an upper room that was already furnished.
John 14:1-4- Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Jesus didn't stay dead. He was only in the tomb for three days and three nights. He rose from the dead and went to heaven and now He is preparing a place for you. Once that place is done He's coming back to get you.
Peter and John found everything when they followed Jesus' instructions. And they were able to prepare for the passover. You, too, can prepare for the passover that happens to all of us if you follow Jesus' instructions found in the Bible.
B.I.B.L.E.
Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
Don't remain unprepared. Get ready! No one but Christ knew the day of their passover.
