Out With the Old? 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 “Take out all the old yeast so that you will be a new batch of dough without yeast, which you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 So let us celebrate this feast, but not with the bread that has the old yeast—the yeast of sin and wickedness. Let us celebrate this feast with the bread that has no yeast—the bread of goodness and truth.” Yesterday (3/9/14) was the first Sunday of the Lenten season. Seems many of the old ways of celebrating are squeezed out as if the believers, who carried the torch of the cause of Christ, were somehow wrong or Stuck in a liturgical rut. The old ways are often called outdated, unnecessary, and some have gone as far as calling them sinful! Here in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, we just had Fastnacht Day.” It’s also called Fat Tuesday by some around here. We eat doughnuts…the intent was to use up all the yeast in the house prior to Lent. Its basis is found in our reading. Though out the Bible, yeast is used as a symbol for Sin. (No there is no sin in using a yeast raised product). Lent is seen as a time, or season of self denial. However, one chooses to celebrate this season, its purpose is clear. We’re to focus our hearts on the upcoming death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus…God’s Passover Lamb. It’s a time of self examination, and removing the hindrances that keep you from fully enjoying your relationship with Christ. As I look to Easter, Im drawn back to my childhood days. I would look forward to overflowing baskets of candy and brightly colored eggs. It’s the smells I recall best. Mmmmm… Mom’s slowly roasted Ham and her sweet potatoes. There was such a festive feel in the air. The afternoon of Easter always included a trip to the Cemetery. Even now, I still go to place a wreath or a plant. I stop and visit loved ones who have passed on, especially my Mom. Some I expect to see in eternity, others, well only Heaven knows for sure. At Easter days end if you had a full table, treats and a visit to the Cemetery, you had celebrated well. When I came to the Lord in 1986, all that changed. Rather than Dawn services, full bellies and treats, it became about a time of Singularly clear vision. Focused by the Cross, it became a time of Light and the Celebration of Regeneration. Even if it was cloudy and bleak, all Lenten season long, the light of God’s love and the newness of life Eternal, the Gift Christ gave on the Cross become dearer still as each year passes. I doubt I shall ever find the words that can express the Love, Joy and Peace the Easter season brings, but I know we will have all eternity to try to say Thank You Lord. May this Easter season be full of the Light that opens your eyes to ALL God has for you. Let’s Pray: Father, Please forgive us for not always prioritizing Easter in the biblical way. Thank You for opening our eyes to the truth in that Easter is a beautiful celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and He offers the beautiful gift of eternal life to us. Only Jesus could have offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to give us this gift. We love You for loving us so much to be willing to allow Your Son to be crucified on the cross for our sins. This is just too awesome for us to completely fathom but we want to spend our earthly lives serving You and sharing the Truth and Hope of Jesus to all! In Your precious Son’s name, Amen! Brought to you with Love by Living Witness Ministries. Please feel free to share, this as an outreach to others.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 02:28:37 +0000
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