How does Ezra 6:19 emphasize the importance of observing the Passover today? Setting the Scene Ezra records the moment when the returning exiles finally dedicate the rebuilt temple and immediately restore the first feast God commanded Israel to keep after leaving Egypt: the Passover. Ezra 6:19—The Verse “On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles celebrated the Passover.” Key Observations • Specific timing: “fourteenth day of the first month” shows careful obedience to God’s calendar (Exodus 12:2, 6). • Covenant continuity: the same feast Israel kept on the night of deliverance is still observed generations later, proving God’s commands do not expire with changing circumstances. • Post-exile priority: after decades in Babylon, the first communal act in the restored land is Passover, underscoring its foundational role for worship and identity. • Community participation: “the exiles” means every returned family joined, highlighting corporate responsibility in remembering redemption. Why That Matters for Today 1. God’s deliverance must be remembered exactly as He prescribes. – Luke 22:19 “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Jesus patterned the Lord’s Supper on the Passover meal, anchoring New-Covenant worship in the historic act of redemption. 2. The Passover points directly to Christ. – 1 Corinthians 5:7 “Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed.” Celebrating God’s redemption through the Lamb remains central for believers. 3. Obedience is not seasonal. – Just as the exiles kept the feast immediately, followers of Christ are called to continual, tangible remembrance (Acts 2:42). 4. Community testimony. – Hebrews 10:24-25 links corporate gathering to stirring one another toward faithfulness; observing Christ our Passover together proclaims the gospel (1 Corinthians 11:26). Timeless Principles • Redemption remembered fuels present obedience. • God’s calendar, not personal convenience, shapes worship. • Restoration is proven by returning to the covenant’s foundational acts. • Every generation must personally own the story of deliverance. Practical Takeaways – Schedule regular communion or Passover-style remembrance with intentional focus on Christ’s sacrifice. – Teach children and new believers the historical Exodus account and its fulfillment in Jesus. – Examine personal and congregational life to ensure obedience is as precise as Ezra 6:19’s date stamp. – Celebrate with joy; Passover was a feast, not a funeral—our redemption is complete and worth rejoicing over. Supporting Scriptures Exodus 12:14; Leviticus 23:5; Deuteronomy 16:1-8; Matthew 26:17-29; John 1:29; Revelation 5:9-10. Remembering Passover today—whether through the traditional feast or its Christ-centered fulfillment in the Lord’s Table—keeps God’s mighty deliverance front and center, just as Ezra 6:19 models. |
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