Day 91 Holy Week - Day 3 Passover Begins

 

4/1/2026

 John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! 

The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” 

John 1:29 NLT

 

The Passover Lamb had to be perfect, without spot or blemish, so once the little fellow was chosen, he was taken home and protected and loved, like a family pet. I imagine it was very hard, especially for children, when the lamb was sacrificed for the meal. I remember a family meal where a goat was to be prepared. My husband's family was rather large, and we had gathered to honor his elderly parents. The Hispanic culture shows great respect for their elders. We had gathered at the ranch, and my children were still small and busy with their cousins, riding horses, and enjoying the countryside. We have always loved the outdoors, as it offers great peace and much creative fun, like when I was a youngster growing up at my grandparents' country home. The kids were standing beside me, and my husband's older brother brought over the goat to show the kids. He was so cute, and the children were petting him, probably giving him a name, when out of the blue, a knife is pulled out, and the little guy's throat was slit, right in front of my startled children's eyes! Imagine the trauma. I know I was very upset, as I did not find it humorous, if that was his intention. Jewish children grew up observing sacrifices, and there were continual, daily sacrifices. Jesus took the place of endless animal sacrifices that could only temporarily atone for sin. But He died once and for all! I pray that this year the Spirit of the Living God will manifest His Presence, and eyes will be opened so that God's chosen people will know Messiah already came, and He will be returning again.

Today is the first day of Passover, and at this moment the Seder meal has been completed in Israel. Friends and family are gathered to remember how God delivered them and freed them, and how He keeps His covenant with them as His Chosen People. The Seder meal re-enacts Israel's deliverance from slavery, and each component of the meal is significant to that first night, representing the Passover story that is repeated annually, as scripture commands them to do.

When Jesus was gathered with His disciples on that night, He washed His disciples' feet, even His betrayer's feet, as an example to them as to how they are called to be servants, as His ministry demonstrated the life of a servant. When the people gathered and shouted out Hosanna! Hosanna! they believed that Jesus, the Messiah, was coming to set them free from the slavery of the Romans. Jesus, Son of David, would take His rightful place as King, but this was not the mission God sent Jesus to earth to do. Had the religious leaders studied Isaiah 53 and other prophetic accounts, they would have realized that He came as the suffering servant, the Passover Lamb, and they would have embraced a different kingdom.

"And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, 'Lord, are You washing my feet?' Jesus answered and said to him, ,'What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.' Peter said to Him, 'You shall never wash my feet!' Jesus answered him, 'If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.'" (John 13:2-8)

Imagine how sad it must have been for Jesus to wash His betrayer's feet! I don't know if I could have done it, but then Jesus calls us to forgive others who betray and persecute us, those who are spiteful and vengeful against us when we are not their offenders. Sometimes it's easier for people to use us, because they know regardless of how badly they treat us and wrongfully, we will forgive, love, and continue to support and bless them. I grapple with that one a lot, because I wonder how long, O Lord?! Then I remember the seventy times seven lesson Jesus taught. It was His way of saying we always forgive. After all, He did, and this Passover and Easter season demonstrate His great love, God's great redemption plan. God's timing is always perfect, and I was just put to the test as I began writing this post. I feel helpless in helping someone I love very much, and regardless of how much I want to help, I can never say the right thing or do the right thing. So, I pray, and I ask Abba for a pascal miracle, for divine intervention, as this is the only hope. Jesus Christ is the only hope for mankind. When will surrender our human flesh and allow Him to deliver us. He is the only One who can.