Inviting Others to Experience the Resurrection

Devotional

Day 1: Easter as a Time for Invitation

Easter presents a unique opportunity to invite others to church, as people are often more open to attending during this time. This is not merely about extending an invitation but about sharing the core of our faith—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. By inviting others, we offer them a chance to experience the celebration of Jesus' victory over death and the hope it brings. This act of inviting is a way to participate in the Great Commission, sharing the good news with those around us. [00:00]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: Who in your life might be open to an invitation to church this Easter? How can you extend that invitation in a loving and genuine way today?

Day 2: The Connection Between Passover and the Last Supper

The Last Supper, celebrated during Passover, is deeply enriched by understanding the traditional Seder meal. Jesus used this meal to introduce a new covenant, highlighting the fulfillment of the Passover's symbolic elements in His sacrifice. The Passover commemorates God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery, and Jesus' Last Supper signifies the ultimate deliverance from sin through His impending sacrifice. This connection invites us to see the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout history. [14:33]

1 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV): "Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."

Reflection: How does understanding the connection between Passover and the Last Supper deepen your appreciation for Jesus' sacrifice? What new insights can you apply to your faith journey today?

Day 3: Symbolism in the Seder Meal

The Seder meal's elements, such as the cup of sanctification and the breaking of matzah, carry deep symbolic meanings. Jesus used these elements to teach about service, redemption, and the new covenant, pointing to His impending sacrifice. The third cup, the cup of redemption, is particularly significant as Jesus declares it represents His blood, sealing a new promise between God and His people. This symbolism invites us to reflect on the depth of Jesus' teachings and His fulfillment of God's promises. [17:42]

Luke 22:19-20 (ESV): "And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'"

Reflection: What aspect of the Seder meal's symbolism resonates most with you? How can you incorporate this understanding into your daily walk with Christ?

Day 4: Recognizing God's Faithfulness Through History

The Seder tradition of recounting God's faithfulness challenges us to recognize His continued blessings. The Dayanu song reminds us that God's past acts would have been enough, yet He continues to bless us abundantly. This reflection on God's faithfulness encourages us to trust in His provision and to express gratitude for His ongoing work in our lives. As we look forward to Easter, we remember that Jesus, the Lamb of God, has redeemed us, freeing us from the bondage of sin. [29:47]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's faithfulness in your life recently? How can you express gratitude for His continued blessings today?

Day 5: Communion as a Remembrance of Redemption

In communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice, His body broken, and His blood shed for us. This act is a profound acknowledgment of the new covenant we have through Christ, marking us for eternal life. Communion is not just a ritual but a deep, personal remembrance of the redemption we have received. As we partake, we are reminded that we are marked by His blood, just as the Israelites were marked during the first Passover, ensuring our eternal life. [33:09]

1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (ESV): "And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"

Reflection: How does participating in communion deepen your understanding of Jesus' sacrifice? What steps can you take to make this act of remembrance more meaningful in your spiritual life?

Sermon Summary

As we approach Easter, it's a time to reflect on the significance of sharing Jesus with others. Easter and Christmas are unique opportunities when people are more open to attending church, and we should seize these moments to extend personal invitations to those around us. This isn't just about handing out cards; it's about inviting people to experience the celebration of our faith's foundation—the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Reflecting on the Passover and the Last Supper, we see a profound connection between the two. The Passover, a celebration of God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, is mirrored in the Last Supper, where Jesus introduces a new covenant. The traditional Seder dinner, with its symbolic elements, enriches our understanding of the Last Supper. Jesus, during this meal, deviates from the norm to highlight the new meaning of these symbols, pointing to His impending sacrifice.

The Seder meal includes elements like the cup of sanctification, the washing of hands, and the breaking of matzah, each with deep symbolic meaning. Jesus uses these elements to teach His disciples about service, redemption, and the new covenant. The third cup, the cup of redemption, is particularly significant as Jesus declares it represents His blood, sealing a new promise between God and His people.

The Seder tradition of recounting God's faithfulness through history reminds us of His continued faithfulness. The Dayanu song, expressing gratitude for God's acts, challenges us to recognize that God's past faithfulness would have been enough, yet He continues to bless us abundantly. As we look forward to Easter, we remember that Jesus, the Lamb of God, has redeemed us, freeing us from the bondage of sin.

In communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice, His body broken, and His blood shed for us. This act of remembrance is not just a ritual but a profound acknowledgment of the new covenant we have through Christ. As we partake, we are reminded that we are marked by His blood, just as the Israelites were marked during the first Passover, ensuring our eternal life.

Key Takeaways

1. Easter as an Invitation Opportunity: Easter is a time when people are more open to attending church, making it a prime opportunity to invite others to experience the celebration of Jesus' resurrection. This isn't just about extending an invitation but about sharing the core of our faith with those around us. [00:00]
2. Passover and the Last Supper Connection: The Last Supper, celebrated during Passover, is enriched by understanding the traditional Seder meal. Jesus uses this meal to introduce a new covenant, highlighting the fulfillment of the Passover's symbolic elements in His sacrifice. [14:33]
3. Symbolism in the Seder Meal: The Seder meal's elements, such as the cup of sanctification and the breaking of matzah, carry deep symbolic meanings. Jesus uses these to teach about service, redemption, and the new covenant, pointing to His impending sacrifice. [17:42]
4. God's Faithfulness Through History: The Seder tradition of recounting God's faithfulness challenges us to recognize His continued blessings. The Dayanu song reminds us that God's past acts would have been enough, yet He continues to bless us abundantly. [29:47]
5. Communion as a Remembrance of Redemption: In communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice, His body broken, and His blood shed for us. This act is a profound acknowledgment of the new covenant we have through Christ, marking us for eternal life. [33:09]
** [33:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Easter Invitation
[02:15] - Importance of Personal Invitations
[04:00] - Significance of Easter
[05:30] - Behold Series Introduction
[07:00] - Passover in Exodus
[09:00] - The Last Supper Context
[11:30] - Seder Dinner Overview
[14:33] - Jesus' New Covenant
[17:42] - Symbolism in Seder Meal
[20:08] - Teaching the Next Generation
[24:05] - Bitterness and Redemption
[27:27] - The Cup of Redemption
[29:47] - God's Faithfulness
[33:09] - Communion and Prayer

Sermon Clips

Last week, we kicked off our series, Behold, and we looked at the events in Exodus as the Jewish people were rescued by God from slavery, that they were delivered out into freedom. And there's this huge moment, right, with the Passover, where the Jewish people were told by God, we want you to slaughter a lamb and then paint the doorposts of your homes with the blood of this lamb. [00:11:32] (28 seconds) Edit Clip

And for the next thousand years, they would celebrate that every year at the Passover. They would have that meal together and they would remember what God has done. And so as Jesus, now a thousand years later, is getting ready to celebrate this event, it's kind of the second big time that Passover shows up in Scripture. [00:12:00] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

And while now we recognize that there's a whole new meaning attached to these emblems because of what Jesus is about to do here, right? There's some enriching that happens if we view the Last Supper through the lens of Passover. There's some moments that happen through this meal that we read about in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. [00:14:33] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

The next thing that happens in the meal is they take this parsley and they would dip it in some salt water. And this parsley is there to represent kind of their lowly origins as slaves in Egypt. And the salt water is there to represent the tears that were shed by their ancestors during their time in slavery. [00:20:00] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

And this tradition has existed for a long time in the Jewish culture. We recognize that the Son, the middle, right, if we were to go in order of how they show up in Matthew 28, the Son here is broken for our sins. And that He was then wrapped in cloths and taken away. [00:21:01] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

And so Jesus stands there with them and says, look, this cup represents my blood, which will seal my new covenant with you. This cup, the cup of redemption. And he is saying to his disciples here, you are going to be redeemed. Not by anything you're going to do, but by my blood. You will be redeemed. [00:27:46] (33 seconds) Edit Clip

And as we look forward to Easter and we recognize what our God has done for us, how much more faithfulness from our God do we have to look at and say, you know what, God? As I look back through the pages of history, you could have stopped being faithful a long time ago. And it would have been enough. [00:29:24] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

Because what Jesus has done goes beyond what those disciples could have ever dreamed of or imagined, what they ever could have hoped for in that moment. It went beyond conquering some political system. What Jesus has done is greater than any king we could have ever hoped for or imagined. What Jesus has done reverberates through all time. [00:31:28] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

And because of what he did for us on the cross, because he allowed his body to be broken, because he poured out his blood for our sins, we have a new covenant, a new promise from God. That we are no longer slaves to our sin, that we are no longer marked by our sin, but that we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. [00:31:59] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

And every week we take this, right? And we remember, not just some bread, not just the worst church snack ever, right? But we remember that Jesus of Nazareth, God, fully God and fully man, allowed his body to be broken for us. Would you take that bread now as we remember that sacrifice? [00:32:38] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

We also take this cup of juice, which represents his blood. Not just any blood, not just any sacrifice, but the Lamb of God. And we recognize that our lives are marked by his blood in the same way that the Israelites' homes were marked. by the blood of that lamb the night that the Spirit of God passed over. [00:33:32] (32 seconds) Edit Clip

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