Shavua Tov! This week's Torah portion is called Pesach, which means "passover." It is a special Torah portion read during the spring feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread. And what a special time of year it is!
Over the past several weeks, many of you have been carefully studying about the spring feasts using the Scripture Studies on our website. However, soon the feast will be here, and we
hope you'll take this time to relax and simply take in the awe of what Yeshua, our Redeemer and Lamb, has done for you.
Exodus 12:24-27 says,
You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and
for your sons forever. And when you come to the land that YHWH will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service. And when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?' you shall say, 'It is the sacrifice of YHWH's Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.'"
First, this statute is for you and for your children. It's not an academic or theological discussion. It's for your hearts, so that you may worship YHWH.
Second, it's an opportunity for your children to ask you questions. This is a dream of
most mothers and fathers, but questions won't happen if we're too busy to spend time with our children. YHWH knows this, so He schedules appointments onto His calendar where we stop our work and our crazy schedules and spend time talking to our children about what He has done for us.
Finally, this statute is
a "service." This is the Hebrew word abodah, which is when we serve Him in worship. The Passover seder, meaning order, gives us an "order of service," but I hope you see by now that Scripture is very relaxed and laid back. Take the worries and stress away, and sit (with your children) at the feet of your rabbi Yeshua, serving Him and learning of Him.
Now as they went on their way, Yeshua entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Master's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving.
And she went up to him and said, Master, do you not care that my
sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.
But the Master answered her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.
(Luke 10:38-42, ESV).
