March 2021
Nougat 29
Have you ever stopped to think about how we mark time – in some cultures, time is defined by events and not always ‘concrete’ dates. So when trying to recall something, a person might follow the chain of events and it all comes back. For the Hebrews, there were a few moments of significance, but perhaps none as eventful as the Passover. Today’s Holy Nougat
“For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.”
Colossians 2:17 NLT
““From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you.” Exodus 12:2 NLT
A shadow is a partial image of an object or person created by light shining at an angle of it. Shadows are always connected to the original item but is not quite the original. And the size and depth of a shadow is dependent on the amount of light it receives.
It has often been argued that most of the Jewish testament are ‘shadows’, pointing TO elements of Jesus’ life, ministry and death. Thus, the Passover celebrations established then would be pointing to Christ our Passover Lamb. We therefore realize that all the details may not be the same, but the Light of Christ permits us to understand the Feast.
The first Passover comes with the instruction to begin calculating the passage of time anew after they left Egypt behind. Which makes sense; for after major experiences our tendency is to see everything in terms of ‘Life before’ the experience and life after. 2 Corinthians 5:17, echoes the same sentiment – that everything from our past takes on different significance once Christ becomes priority.
This is further proven by the way we calculated the passage of time. We reflect our date as 2021, as we calculate that Jesus was born at that time, and all the time before is seen as a countdown to that momentous event. Of course, those who are not Christians have arrived for using BCE (Before the Common Era) and CE (Common Era) instead of BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini – in the year of our Lord). John, the author of the fourth Gospel argues that before Jesus, nothing existed (John 1).
But what about you and me – do we see our lives in this manner? Do we see ourselves living a ‘shadow’ of our real lives before we started to call on Jesus? Would others be able to see a difference after we made the commitment to follow Him? For if Passover commemorates the move from bondage to freedom; and in Christ we are a new Creation; then truly that turning point ought to carry great significance. I pray that it also means we have begun to live as ones who’ve found Full Free in Christ.
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May all we seek be found in Christ