Day 87 Remember...!

 

3/28 /2026

"Remember the Sabbath day, 

to keep it holy."

Exodus 20:8

 

Sabbath service begins extremely early for me when I make the effort to join the Kehilat HaCarmel service at 4 am on Saturday mornings. I could always tune in later, after my regular service, and I often do, but there's something special about attending when everyone else is there. This is the second week where the air raids and restrictions have prevented attendance of all regulars, however. This morning, as the Pastor and his wife were driving to the church on Mount Carmel, the sirens were going off, and since this is in the northern region near Haifa where Lebanon has been attacking, it can become quite tense not having a place to stop for safety. But the Lord is always merciful and gracious, and everyone who could attend made it safely. 

This week Passover will begin, so the schedule will be modified unless God divine intervenes, and this war ends as it needs to do with freedom for all from the threat of Iran. Only God knows what each day will bring, so we focus on Him. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith!

The message was very similar to the short teaching that we received at the global prayer call this morning about why it was important that Jesus share the last Passover with His disciples prior to His death. 

"When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. The He said to them, 'With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.' Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, 'Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.' And He took bread gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me' Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to the man by whom He is betrayed!'" (Luke 22:14-22)

The Passover celebration remembers the Exodus from Egypt, and the beginning of the covenant life promised to Abraham. Each year when Passover is observed, unleavened bread is eaten. This is particularly significant as leaven had to be purged, because it symbolized sin, just as the lamb had to be a spotless lamb, free from sin or blemish. Jesus shared this meal with His friends before going to the cross where He would bear the sins of the world, past, present, and future. The perfect, sinless Lamb of God would lay down His life, suffering on our behalf, forgiving our sins, so we could have eternal life in the Presence of a Holy God. This is why He wanted to share this meal with them, as He had been trying to make them understand that He was going to suffer and die. I wonder sometimes how much we as believers in Christ fully understand and appreciate all He suffered for each of us. The weight of the sin He bore for everyone, but particularly for each.

Today I wanted to spend time resting, fully enjoying how God wants us to enjoy the Sabbath day that He gave us to cease from our labors. Because I have the prayer calls, and I also attend online Shabbat services, I still need to use my computer, but today, although I was aware of the news, I chose not to share very much. I'm still not well since I contracted this skin infection that has affected me in more ways, so I felt it was a perfect time to just be and to reflect. It's been quite nice actually, and I can truly understand the need to separate ourselves from life at times. As intercessors we do not cease to pray, but we can still be alert and aware. God's ways are always higher and have meaning, so it does us well to obey. And He said to remember to keep the Sabbath daily holy, set apart.

Shabbat has officially ended now, and if I began to celebrate Sunday according to Jewish time, it would be the beginning of my second day of rest. Not everyone can have two days to worship God in this way, although I imagine if one wanted to set aside the time there may be ways. For me, this was a much-needed time of inner peace and spending time with Abba and my family. Family time is very important on Sabbath. We still have not quite mastered the meals on the Sabbath, as we still tend to use the microwave or the stove, but soon we'll get the hang of not working. Life is a daily lesson, and I quite enjoy that! When we stop learning, we stop living, and I desire to live the fullness of the life Abba has planned for me. I want to know that I finished well!