Nougat 27

On March 25, many persons of African descent in the diaspora paused to mark the significance of the day. For it is now recognized as the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. And while Emancipation Day is recognized across the English Caribbean as August 1, I have often connected the two. The fact of enslavement demands recognition and reparations, for the legacies continue to haunt us centuries on.

We might recall another recognition and remembrance about a formerly enslaved people which takes place in this season – the Feast of Unleavened Bread – which marks the Hebrew/Jewish Emancipation Day. With those two commemorative moments in mind; I invite us to consider today’s Holy Nougat

“The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Passover observance began with an invitation from God to always remember that they, the Israelites, were once enslaved. Part of the remembrance involves re-enactments of the night freedom came. For it is hard to appreciate one’s freedoms and rights when we have lost sight of what once enslaved. This anticipation of freedom also included not taking the time to have yeast-added bread in their takeaway items. It also involved standing in readiness for flight, as Pharaoh would not have been willing to lose his labor force. Further, I would invite us to note that freedom was NOT accomplished without bloodshed. The name Passover alludes to that.

While one can see the parallels to the journey to freedom of African laborers under different systems of enslavement; I wish to point us to another parallel. The significance of the Passover for our own freedom. Whether we are of African descent or not; whether we descended from slave traders, ‘apprentices’ free born, slave owners or the enslaved; whether our roots or current reality has no part with the Hebrews or the enslaved Africans; this one thing is real – we have ALL been bound to sin.

For there IS a pharaoh (Satan) who would prefer that we remain bound. But thanks be to God Who, through Jesus, facilitates FULL FREEDOM from pharaoh for us! And each Passover, we have the opportunity to remember once again how our freedom was secured. As our thoughts move toward Calvary this week, may we also see how we (can) gain Full Free through Christ.

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May all we seek be found in Christ