April 4, 2025 Brethren Letter
Dear Brethren,
In a week’s time, we will be observing God’s Passover (Leviticus 23:5). Passover is the most solemn occasion of the year, observed in commemoration of the DEATH of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
…For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (I Corinthians 5:7).
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes (I Corinthians 11:26).
The following evening is the “Night to be Much Observed” (Exodus 12:41-42), which also begins the Days of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6-8). God’s Festivals aren’t observed due to any traditions of men! These Festivals are the Festivals of the GREAT GOD, instituted by HIM!
Passover is the very first step in God’s MASTER plan. The observance of it should NEVER become OLD, or kept with very little thought about its spiritual significance. Jesus Christ was willing to pay the death penalty for you and me in our stead, through His own shed blood. How could any one of us ever take His sacrifice lightly? “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
During the days leading up to Passover, we are instructed to EXAMINE ourselves in relationship to Christ. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you are disqualified” (II Corinthians 13:5). Obviously, spiritual examination should be an ongoing process throughout the year.
Each of us must look at our depth of understanding and FAITH, prior to the partaking of the New Testament Passover symbols Christ instituted!
[23] “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
[24] and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’
[25] In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’
[26] For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (I Corinthians 11:23-26).
Christ also instituted another part of the Passover service to be observed prior to the partaking of the BREAD and WINE. The book of John shows us that Jesus humbly washed His disciple’s feet, also setting an example for us to follow. Here are His instructions:
(13) You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.
(14) If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
(15) For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you (John 13:13-15).
Foot-washing is often referred to as being an “ordinance of humility.” I recommend that all of us re-read the 13th chapter of John prior to Passover, and reflect on why we would do foot-washing before partaking of the BREAD and WINE, and why it’s not done afterwards. Think of it brethren, how could any one of us RIGHTLY partake of the symbols of Christ’s BROKEN BODY (the bread), and of His BLOOD shed for us (the wine), if we don’t have humility first? FOOT WASHING is intended to be an outward display of our GODLY humility.
In these next few days, we should be meditating on the all-important PASSOVER symbols that our HIGH PRIEST Jesus Christ instituted. We must be strengthening our relationship with God the Father and with Jesus Christ our Savior and High Priest, more and more each year.
Please have a wonderful Sabbath!
Your Brother in Christ,
Gary Liebold