Is Getting Rid of Leaven @ Passover, More than A Religious Ritual?

I had a friend that told me that she was not going to do any religious rituals over Passover and not doing Easter either. She wanted to focus on her relationship, pressing into the Holy Spirit. Pressing into the Holy Spirit and reading the bible is always good, but let’s examine why removing the yeast from your house and your temple ( body) is much deeper than a religious ritual or chore.

The scriptures call for us to take the leaven-yeast out of our homes and not eat anything with yeast-leavening agents for 8 days. On the surface it seems like a grueling spring cleaning event and either a fast or some type of low carb diet. But the Holy Spirit has taught me it is so much more.

In the quietness as I cleaned out every crumb, every stain of my refrigerator, pantry and drawers, He whispered to me, taught me.

” I am a God of illustration. I have always used metaphors, similies and tangible examples to teach you. For example, my last teaching on earth was one of illustration. I washed my disciples feet, to illustrate that true followers, true leaders are humble servants. This had a profound effect on my disciples, who saw feet washing as a task of slaves. The event was significant enough to make an spiritual impact. ”

When I ask you to remove the leaven out of your homes and to reframe from eating yeast for 8 days, it is a significant task, and a strong reminder to examine yourself. With each crumb, reflect on the sin in your life and repent. What can you do to be better? Removing sin takes concentrated effort, work.

“I am Holy and So you must be Holy. Think about the price I paid for you, every grueling lash, laying down my life, dying for you. I expect you to lay down your life too, dying to self, a life long quest to be like me: righteous, loving and pure in spirit. “

As I was scrubbing, the refrigerator there was what looked to be a mustard stain or spot, something on the side of the refrigerator. My eyes teared up a bit, speaking into my mind to Messiah, ” I do not want any stains on my wedding gown, not one. I’m dirty, sinful. This was not a thought of ridiculous destructive condemnation but a humbling of sorts, a longing to please, be pure. Help me Rabbi to remove all residue of sin, every crumb that distances me from you. ”

Yahshua broke the unleavened “sinless” body for us. Removing the yeast is an illustration of how we are to remove the yeast, the sin, from our lives. It’s an exercise and illustration of cleansing, repentance and remembering the body and blood shed for us.

Every day of Passover as we take communion, we should reflect on the high price paid for us and showing him through our actions that we truly love Him. We should also take this time serve others in deed and heart, to be humble and to remove all pride and boasting.

Passover is the beginning of YHWH’s year in the bible. It is His New Year, a time of growth where life begins: blooming, babies being born, sprouting and rain. Passover is the first feast of God’s calendar, the feast of which He asked His Son to give a gift of life. When we give our lives to Jesus, when we surrender, when believe in His words in thought and action, we transform and a New Life begins. Every day is a new day of regeneration. But this week is a special concentrated week to start over this year, springing for life within you.

It’s important for us to know the feasts that are important to our God, to participate and try to understand at a deeper level. These feasts are tied to prophecy and Yahshua’s return. There is a learning curve as gentiles who have been taught the traditions of men. But if you just try to learn and apply little by little, Abba Daddy will smile down at you. Your Rabbi will be pleased you are preparing for His return, learning the future feasts you will celebrate with him.

Tonight, is the last Passover meal that Yahshua would have had with his beloved friends and followers. Think about this event. What would he be feeling and thinking. This is a big night for us too, a time of deep reflection and remembrance. Use a movie like Passion of the Christ or the Bible series to illustrate, give a visual of this event to make it real for you. Bow your head in thanksgiving, gratitude and thanksgiving.

Matthew 26:17-30

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” 23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Action Items:

1. Take Communion for next 8 days.
2. Avoid eating any yeast for next 8 days, repent of all sin.
3. Look for service project, do all service in right spirit.
4. Watch a Bible Show remembering the death of Jesus for us.