A New Era

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”  Revelation 21:5a

Few events in history have changed the world, even to usher in a new era. The Birth of Christ is one such event: dividing recorded history into BC and AD. Our world, our history is divided by the era before the Messiah and after the Messiah. We see ourselves in the same way, before we met Christ and after, changing our lives forever. 

The birth of Christ is not the only event which changed history. Recorded in Exodus 12, is the Passover sacrifice which begins a new era for the Israelites. From this point on, the Passover will mark the first month, the beginning of the year for the Israelites:

“Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, ‘This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.’”~ Exodus 12:1-2

The Passover foreshadows the sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross. The sacrifice of the Passover lamb caused the angel of death to ‘pass over’ that household. They escaped the death of their firstborn child. In the same way, when we accept Jesus and His sacrifice, we literally identify ourselves with Christ. It is as if we mark our household, our lives with Christ and thus, we escape the final enemy: death. 

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” ~ Revelation 12:11

During the Passover, the lamb was not only sacrificed, it was completely consumed by the members of that household. In the same way, we are not to simply take a taste of the life of Christ. We are to give ourselves completely to Christ and identify with Him. 

Say to the Lord, “I give you everything, all my struggles, all my weaknesses.” He forgives you and thus begins a new era, one that will continue into eternity. 

The Passover lamb was to be consumed with bitter herbs. This points to the bitterness, the tribulation, the difficulties through which we must persevere in this word until we are taken up to be with Jesus in heaven. 

The day of the Passover, was a day of deliverance and rejoicing for the children of Israel, yet a day of sorrow for the Egyptians. The day that Jesus returns, will be a day of great rejoicing for us; however, for those who do not accept the sacrifice of Jesus, it will be a day of sorrow and confusion. 

Welcome the new life that is found in Jesus. If you truly believe this, live your lives in such a way that you are ready for the return of Christ. Maranatha! Come, Lord, quickly!

Blessings, 

Robert Furrow

We will overcome by Jeremy Camp

Seated above, enthroned in the Father's love
Destined to die, poured out for all mankind
God's only Son, perfect and spotless one
He never sinned but suffered as if He did

All authority
Every victory is Yours
All authority
Every victory is Yours

Savior, worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all our praise, You overcame
Jesus, awesome in power forever
Awesome and great is Your name, You overcame

Power in hand speaking the Father's plan
You're sending us out, light in this broken land

We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony, everyone overcome