2022.11.20 Passover as a Thanksgiving

Passover as a Thanksgiving

Psalm 150 • Exodus 12:23–27

My life is not all I would like it to be.

We own two vehicles, but I would love to own nicer vehicles.

We have lots of luxuries, but I would love to be able to spend money on frivolous things without any concern about finances.

We have heat, but I would love to have a hot tub.

We have air conditioning, but I’d love to have a pool.

Most of the year, we spend our days wanting what we don’t have. One day of the year, we give thanks.

Now, I don’t want to say that we NEVER give thanks except on Thanksgiving … but one day of the year, we really focus on giving thanks.

The Jews were given a similar day in Passover. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the Spring weather from Passover today? There I go again, wanting what I don’t have. See how easy that is?

Before I get into Passover too far, let me tell you a story from my childhood:

When I was 12 or 13, I used to ride my bike down to the Ohio River often. Louisville had bike lanes on some of the downtown streets, so I’d take back paths to get to that point, and then take the bike lane to get to the river. I loved sitting by the river and just watching it roll by.

I have an uncle who is only 9 months older than I am, and I remember one particular time we rode down together. I had built my bike from various junk parts I found around my neighborhood, and one of the links in the chain was a little bent. So, it wasn’t terribly uncommon for my chain to pop off. I’d stop the bike, pop the chain back on and get back on my way. It happened so often, I was a pro at this move. It happened while Bobby and I were headed to the river, so I did my thing and we were one our way.

When we got to the river, my hands were greasy from handling the chain, so I was going to rinse them in the river. When I stepped off the wharf, I immediately sank to my knees. Only God knows how far down I would’ve sunk if I hadn’t caught myself on the concrete wharf. As I hung on for dear life, I called out to Bobby and he came and helped me back up to safety.

I laid there on the wharf for awhile catching my breath, and pondering the possibility that my uncle had just saved my life.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The people of Israel were in bondage. They were slaves to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians were making their work harder every day. When God rescued them, he did it in miraculous fashion.

He killed every firstborn human and animal in Egypt, except the Israelite firstborns. He got them away from Pharoah’s army. He got them through the Red Sea. He crushed Pharoah’s army as they pursued. He cut covenant with them at Mount Sinai, providing the 10 Commandments. And he told them to REMEMBER!

Exodus 12:24 NLT

24 “Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever.

Remembrance is the first step of thanksgiving, and thanksgiving is the solution to grumbling.

God knew the Israelites would soon want more. He knew they would eventually start grumbling to Moses. He knew they would even want to go BACK to Egypt instead of trusting him to provide a future. So he instituted Passover to help them remember his faithfulness, and told them to NEVER stop observing Passover.

Exodus 12:25 NLT

25 When you enter the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony.

While they wandered in the wilderness, all they wanted to do was grumble about their lives not being exactly what they wanted them to be. “We want stability. We want land. We want a physical god like the neighbors have. We want to go back to the known misery, rather than staying in the unknown with the promise of blessing.”

Remember. Teach your children.

My uncle can be an irritating person. Many of the family feel exasperated by him. But when I remember he saved my life … I’m a little more gracious.

As we prepare to celebrate the holiday this week, many of us will gather around family … and perhaps some members of our families are exasperating. Remember … there are others among us who won’t gather around family. Perhaps their family is gone, or estranged, or too far away.

As you approach Thanksgiving this year … remember … teach your children. Our God has been faithful to us. Even at our lowest point, he hasn’t abandoned us … and he’s promised to never abandon us.

Lamentations 3:22–23 NASB 2020

22 The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Let’s pray.