Passover Drew Near - Luke 22:1

The beloved physician Luke shared about Jesus, “in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse one of his book Luke shared how, “the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover” where we read:

Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

The verse reads, “Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, ...” Luke began with the words, “Now the feast” or “moreover the festival and holy-day” “of unleavened bread” which means “pertaining to the unfermented and free from leaven and yeast loaves used in the paschal feast of the Jews” “drew nigh” or “approached and came near”. Luke shared how the time for the “festival” of “unfermented loaves” or “paschal feast” was approaching.

The verse continues, “... which is called the Passover.” Luke added the words, “which is called” or “that is named and saluted as” “the Passover” which means “the paschal sacrifice or lamb the Israelites were accustomed to slay and eat on the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan in memory of the day on which their fathers preparing to depart from Egypt, were bidden by God to slay and eat a lamb, and to sprinkle their door posts with its blood, that the destroying angel, seeing the blood, might pass over their dwellings”. Luke shared how the “holy festival” named “the Passover” when the “paschal lamb” was to be sacrificed in remembrance of the people of Israel preparing to escape Egypt was the “festival” that was “near”.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we are given the timing of the next events to occur in Jesus' life. This would lead to when He would become God's “paschal lamb” who would be slain for the sins of the entire world. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (See John 3:16), and the timing of this event would lead to Jesus fulfilling God's desire. Those who are wise will pay particular close attention to what happens to Jesus at this time and know He followed through with all these things so they may have a personal relationship with His Father God.

Next time Luke shares how, “the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".