Easter Eggs, Matzos, and Macaroons
If
you come into our home this time of year, you will find signs of the two
holidays that we celebrate: Easter and Passover. There are the little ceramic
bunnies and decorative Easter eggs sitting on the dining room buffet. And, there are boxes of matzos and cans of
macaroons on the table on the other side of the room. For some it might be a bit confusing. For us,
it is normal. (For those who don’t know,
I’m Jewish on my mother’s side!)
Last
night our family had our annual Passover Seder. Through it, we remember what God did
for us as his people when he delivered us from slavery in Egypt. And as believers in Jesus, we can’t help but
also recognize the many parts of the Seder that point us to Jesus and cause us
to remember who he is and how he has delivered us from slavery to sin. The story of the Passover is very much tied
to the story of Easter for both are stories of God’s great love, his incredible
intervention, and the new life and freedom he brings to his people. And at the center of each of them is a lamb.
Tonight
we will remember the death of our Passover Lamb, Jesus, through our Good Friday
service. And, on Sunday we will celebrate his resurrection. This weekend is dedicated to recognizing both
the price that was paid for our sin and the incredible gift of life that has
now been offered to us. It’s a weekend that is meant to cause us to reflect,
repent, and eventually rejoice in all that God has done for us through the
life, death, and resurrection of our Savior.
Through
both events, Passover and Easter, God was making a way for us to be set free
and bringing us into a saving relationship with him. Both holidays can be summed up in the verses
of scripture that are central to the Exodus story: “…I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will
free you from being slaves…I will redeem you with an outstretched arm…I will
take you as my own people and I will be your God.” (Exodus 6:6, 7 – NIV) That
is what God was doing through the Passover for the Hebrew people. And that is
what God has done for all people through the giving of his Son.
In the
end, it’s not so odd to have Easter eggs, matzos, and macaroons in one home. They all help us remember that there is a God
in heaven who loves us and who has made a way for us to live our lives as his
people.
So,
paint an Easter egg, have a matzo, and have a wonderful Easter weekend!
Pastor
Tim Harris
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