Category Archives: Passover

Holy Week- Tuesday -The Fig Tree

He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening. Mark 11:14

As we continue our “Quest To The Cross” our next stop is “The Fig Tree” Here Jesus was hungry , looking for something fruitful, and found a barren tree that produced no fruit. He immediately rebuked the tree and commanded that it will never produce fruit again,  the tree withered and died immediately.

A few things we can observe from this, first notice again this is not the watered down Jesus that is portrayed by most. The power that Jesus posses , even when he speaks, the tree withers and dies immediately. Just as when demons listen to his commands or he calm the waves of the sea. Jesus has full authority on Heaven and Earth.

Second “The Fig Tree” is symbolic to our spiritual lives. As Jesus said “Good trees produce good fruit , bad trees produce bad fruit, by our fruit we will be recognized (Matthew 7) So will Jesus say to us Good work faithful servant or depart from me you worker of lawlessness?

And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Mark 11:22

As the disciples noticed “The Fig Tree” withered Jesus said to them “Have faith in God” We can take this multiple ways, as they were amazed at Jesus power and authority over Heaven and Earth. Jesus instructed them faith can move mountains!

Do we have the faith to continue to be a fruitful disciple or will we wither away from lack of faith? Put your faith in God in Jesus name Amen!

Receive Power

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. Acts 1:8

These are the last words Jesus spoke before he ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus said “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon You”.

Often as Christians we feel helpless and maybe even forgotten, but God has said he will never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6) God has fulfilled this promise by the arrival of The Holy Spirit. Now wherever you go or whatever circumstance you may be facing, The Holy Spirit dwells inside you and you receive his power!

Some might say, “I don’t feel powerful” or maybe you feel totally defeated. Remember we are fighting a spiritual warfare not a physical one.   Think about when Jesus went to the cross, from a physical standpoint, he seemed weak and even defeated. But what the world didn’t realize is on the cross, Jesus defeated sin, death, and Satan! Jesus won the war of our souls and Gods Kingdom

Jesus went on to say “We are his witnesses, not just in Jerusalem but to the entire world”. When you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior and are baptized by The Holy Spirit, you are a Child of God! Its time to be a witness for Christ, this is not optional its an obligation as a Christian!

Spread the gospel to all the nations in the name of The Father, Son , and Holy Spirit Amen!

Swallowed Up Death

He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 25:8

As Easter (Resurrection) Sunday has just passed, it’s a great time to remind ourselves what Christ has accomplished for us. Jesus defeated death forever, and he rose as the eternal King of Kings , that will rule Gods kingdom where there will be no more pain, sorrow, tears, or death forever

So why is there still death today since Jesus defeated death over 2,000 years ago? Because God doesn’t want anyone to perish , but to come to repentance and accept Jesus Christ for salvation (2 Peter 3:9) The old broken world still continues today because God provides Free Will to all and doesn’t force himself on anyone.

However time will be running out for Satan and this sinful world. And when the day comes when Christ returns, time is up for the wicked. There will be a day, when God will restore his kingdom and The New Heavens and Earth come together, to complete paradise for all of us who are saved through Jesus Christ.

And it will be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9

There will be a day when we rejoice and say this is our God, Jesus Christ, whom we waited for to return and bring Heaven down with him. Without the work Christ did on the cross or in the tomb, the New Heavens and Earth would not be possible for us wretched sinners!

Thank you Lord Jesus for swallowing up death forever Amen!

Jesus Is The Resurrection

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, John 11:25

At this moment life seemed hopeless for Lazarus family; he had been dead for over four days already. A whirlwind of emotions had been going on , Martha was angry with Jesus, if he had only been here sooner, she said. Jesus was overcome with emotion,  he wept as he saw Lazarus motionless body and the mourning of his family.

and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? John 11:26

But Jesus said anyone who believes in him will never die, he was about to perform a miracle that nobody could dispute who Jesus really is. Before Jesus arrived he told his disciples that this sickeness would not be the end of Lazarus (John 11:4) His disciples at the time didn’t know Lazarus was already dead, so they didn’t understand what Jesus was prophesying at that time.

Jesus asked Martha “Do you believe this?” Meaning do you believe Jesus is God in the flesh, the one who can give and take away life? Martha didn’t hesitate she said Yes Lord I believe! Her faith saved her brother’s life, Do you believe?

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40

Jesus confirmed what he prophesied to raise Lazarus from the dead based on faith, because Martha believed with all her heart, mind, and soul who Jesus is, he delivered Lazarus. After Jesus prayed to the Father, he then commanded Lazarus to Come Forth!

Jesus spoke the dead back to life, just like he can speak our dry bones back to life also. Jesus is The Resurrection, he holds the key to life and death, nobody comes to the Father except through Christ in Jesus Name Amen!

Victory Through Christ

“O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” 1 Corinthians 15:55

Satan uses tools to enslave us into fear, tools such as disease, sickness, suffering, hardships, and even death. However those strongholds no longer have chains on us anymore, since Jesus defeated sin and death, and walked out of that grave, we no longer have to fear!

This is a radical concept for us to understand, for centuries Satan has been using the fear of death to enslave the innocent. Fear that not only we will suffer but also our families and loved ones. But Perfect love cast out all fear (1 John 4:18) That is exactly what Jesus finished at the cross and the evidence is the empty tomb

For Christians death is not the end, its just the beginning. Sounds cliché or maybe even surreal, however when you understand this is Gods truth, you understand the power of what Jesus accomplished!

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

Victory is ours through the resurrection of Jesus Christ! No longer are you a slave to fear, no longer are you a slave to death. Jesus has overcome the grave, that is why the Resurrection is the greatest event to happen in human history Amen!

Jesus Is Risen #EasterSunday

and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, Luke 24:5-6

If you are seeking Jesus, don’t look for him among the dead, Jesus has Risen, he is alive forevermore. On that Sunday morning, the stone was rolled away from the tomb, sin and death were defeated for good. We have ultimate victory through Jesus Christ!

So why do many still seek for help among the mortal and the dead? Why wouldn’t you put your faith and trust in the One who holds the keys to life and death (Revelation 1:18) Jesus is the first born of the dead (Colossians 1:18) meaning Jesus defeated death and rose with an immortal and perfect body, sitting on the throne as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Even if you rejected Christ, the resurrection has impacted your life. The greatest moment in world history occurred that Sunday morning. Our calendars, holidays, and seasons are all based around the Resurrection of Christ. This moment changed the world forever, question is did you allow Jesus to change your life forever yet?

If you want to find Christ, look up at the sky, don’t look at the grave of other false prophets , false gods , and false religions because He is Risen! Victory over death is ours in Jesus Name Amen!

Passover Lamb #GoodFriday

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

If there is any question how Judaism and Christianity are linked together, look no further than Passover/Easter. When the prophet John the Baptist announced, Jesus was the “Lamb of God” everyone knew what he was talking about.

The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:13

To understand what Jesus has done for us at the cross, we need to understand what happened at Passover. The Israelites were being held slaves for over 400 years until God sent the prophet Moses to finally free them. Egypt’s refusal to allow Gods people go, left him no choice but to send 10 deadly plaques to call for their repentance.

The final plague was the Angel of Death that would “Passover” any home that was covered by the blood of the sacrificial “Lamb of God”

for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28

Fast forward to when God sent his only begotten Son, as the perfect “Lamb of God’ to forever take away the sins of the world. Anyone who is covered by the “Blood of Christ” death will “Passover” them and we will live eternally in Gods Kingdom.

Remember this Passover/Easter, that Jesus is The Lamb of God. Because of him death will Passover you during the Resurrection in Jesus Name Amen

The Last Supper

So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. Matthew 26:19

The disciples didn’t prepare The Last Supper because it was there idea, they were commanded by Jesus to prepare The Last Supper, Why? Because Jesus wants us to know how important his sacrifice on the cross is. This is an event that will change the world forever, change the destiny of humanity forever, and defeated sin and death forever.

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.” Matthew 26:26

Notice Jesus First Blessed the Bread, Then Broke The Bread, and Then gave it to everyone. Just as when Jesus fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread, he first Blessed The Bread and then Broke it. Breaking of Bread is a Jewish custom that the head of the table or household says the blessing and breaks the bread.

Jesus is not only showing them that his body on the cross will be a broken sacrifice for us like the Bread but also he is the King of Kings, he Blessed, Broke, and Delivered the Bread of Life for all of us

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:27-28

Without Blood there is no life and without the Blood of Jesus there is no forgiveness for our sins. He is The Lamb of God, the atoning sacrifice for our sins. So by drinking the wine, remember the importance of Jesus sacrifice on the cross.

The cross created a new covenant with God which allows all of us to be a Children of God. Its because of the Blood of Jesus we can stand before God, pure as snow, unblemished.

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.” Matthew 26:29

Jesus is preparing his disciples on what is about to happen at Calvary. But Jesus gives them words of hope and victory as he tells them they will celebrate again in Heaven.

So when you take communion remember what it means, remember the sacrifice Jesus made for you, and remember the victory we have thru Christ Amen

Sweet Offering

“For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. Matthew 26:12

As we continue our “Quest to The Cross” we reflect on a moment where Jesus was given a gracious offering by a woman in Bethany. The first take away from this moment was , even though the woman was poor, she poured the perfume over Christ, which was a very costly perfume. Probably cost a years wages

The disciples, specifically Judas rebuked her saying she is wasting money. However Jesus quickly defends the woman by saying  “But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me.” (Matthew 26:10)

Case in point don’t worry what others have to say about your offering to God, he reads our hearts and minds, and knows this offering was her best. Don’t allow the world to interfere or take you away from your worship to Christ. Just like the woman, your offering will be noticed

The next take away is without this woman even knowing she was helping to fulfill prophecy. This expensive perfume was preparing the Lord Jesus Christs body to be our atonement sacrifice at the cross (Matthew 26:12). Even through the blood and agony his body endured, that strong scent was probably still there

“Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.” Matthew 26:13

From a theological perspective, this moment of the woman pouring perfume on Christ may seem insignificant. However Jesus thought it was important enough to remember this woman always. As you prepare for Passover (Good Friday) and throughout Holy Week, remember the offering and sacrifice Jesus made for us and he will remember yours also Amen

The Fig Tree

He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening. Mark 11:14

As we continue our “Quest To The Cross” our next stop is “The Fig Tree” Here Jesus was hungry , looking for something fruitful, and found a barren tree that produced no fruit. He immediately rebuked the tree and commanded that it will never produce fruit again,  the tree withered and died immediately.

A few things we can observe from this, first notice again this is not the watered down Jesus that is portrayed by most. The power that Jesus posses , even when he speaks, the tree withers and dies immediately. Just as when demons listen to his commands or he calm the waves of the sea. Jesus has full authority on Heaven and Earth.

Second “The Fig Tree” is symbolic to our spiritual lives. As Jesus said “Good trees produce good fruit , bad trees produce bad fruit, by our fruit we will be recognized (Matthew 7) So will Jesus say to us Good work faithful servant or depart from me you worker of lawlessness?

And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Mark 11:22

As the disciples noticed “The Fig Tree” withered Jesus said to them “Have faith in God” We can take this multiple ways, as they were amazed at Jesus power and authority over Heaven and Earth. Jesus instructed them faith can move mountains!

Do we have the faith to continue to be a fruitful disciple or will we wither away from lack of faith? Put your faith in God in Jesus name Amen!