Sunday 31 March 2013

14-15 Nisan and Easter

Today many people in the western world celebrate Easter with luscious chocolate eggs, fragrant hot cross buns and newborn chicks, Easter bunnies, yellow ribbons, and have a lot of decoration that have more to do with fertility rites and nature coming back to life instead of picturing the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

The Feast of Easter itself is a moveable celebration, and can fall anywhere between 22 March and 25 April.
But the date in which the faithful celebrate Christ's resurrection has been surrounded in controversy from early Christian times

Lutz Doering, a reader in New Testament and an expert in calendars and festivals from the University of Durham, confirms: "According to the New Testament, Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday. However, it is unclear on what day or date the earliest Christians celebrated Easter."
The Resurrection of Christ (Kinnaird Resurrection)
The Resurrection of Christ (Kinnaird Resurrection) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


In history can be found many examples of the first Christians celebrating on 14 Nisan the death and resurrection of Christ. After Jesus’ sacrifice, the apostle Paul assured the early Christian community at Corinth that they have been saved “for Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Various Christian communities followed the “14 Nisan” rule and just asked their local Jews when Passover started, but after controversies in the second and third centuries, many Christians ended up settling the matter at the Council of Nicaea in 325.

Dr Doering explains that there is evidence that, in the middle of the 2nd Century, some Christians celebrated Easter on 14th of the Jewish month of Nisan - that is, on the preparationnight for the Jewish Passover. They were hence known as Quartodecimans, from the Latin word for '14'.
This group saw Easter as a "Christian form of Passover, celebrated at the same time as Jewish neighbours would get ready for the Pesach meal" like we all still should do, remembering the first Passover and the second Passover.

Those in favour of the Roman leaders and not wanting to go against their will, preferred to celebrate on the Sunday after Passover, not to have as such a connection with the Jews and being more in accord with the heathen feasts of the seasons, having the celebration of Spring.

So several Christian churches started to coincide their celebration with the traditional feasts of Springtime and basically tried and created their own “Christian Nisan” — figure out the full moon after the spring equinox — but also add on an extra rule, which is that Easter should fall on a Sunday, though originally the Passover feast was always on a different day.

The problem also was that full moon is not everywhere at the same moment. So it was easier to take the first  Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox, so that everywhere in the world could be celebrated the same event on the same day. In principle, that still means that Western Easter should fall within Passover, but since Hillel II’s reforms in the 4th century, the Jewish calculations for Nisan are based on a formula and not on astronomy — see Gauss’s formula for the date of Pesach. Thus, in 2008, Western Easter fell on March 23, while Passover didn’t start until April 20.

But there is also a problem with the name the festival is be known today as well.

Normally God did ask to remember the Passover for ever. Jesus also celebrated it as a good faithful  believer. The Exodus was to be taken at heart and to be remembered for ever. At first the followers of Jesus, mostly Jews, kept to their Jewish feasts and so the group of 'The Way' like the followers were called, celebrated the Passover on the same date as the Jewish community. The day before the actual seder meal the Christians also came together to remember the Last supper of their master, rabbi Jeshua (Jesus Christ).

But the name in the English-speaking world is something else again. The word “easter” is probably a modified version of either “ostara” or “eostre“, which is a Pagan festival, based around the March equinox. It was the celebration of the goddess of fertility Eostra, Estra or Esdra and Ishtar the pagan Babylonian and Assyrian deity of fertility and sexuality, later adopted by the Romans, and formally introduced into Christianity by Emperor Constantine. Also the cross, the sign of Tamuz, the god of evil was taken over to become a symbol of bringing Jesus to his end. Jesus was namely impaled on a wooden stake, which was not in the form as it is known today and certainly should never be adored

not at all obvious why Christians should differ as to the date of Easter. "We can observe the spring equinox using astronomy. We can observe the full moon using astronomy (though that might differ by a day or two depending on where one is in the world). And everyone has the same Sunday. So why should there be any (significant) difference?"

According to her:


The answer is that “Sunday” really does mean “Sunday,” but “full moon” doesn’t necessarily mean “full moon,” and “spring equinox” doesn’t necessarily mean “spring equinox.” The equinox rule is the biggest factor in the East-West date divergence. For purposes of calculating Easter, we use March 21 instead of the true date of the equinox, which could be March 19 or March 20. (The complexities behind “full moon” will be in a later post.) So we immediately see how the Western and Eastern churches can differ: March 21 is considered to fall on a different day depending on your calendar, and March 21 in the Julian calendar is what we in the West would call April 3.
Sometimes there’s no full moon between March 21 and April 3, so the relevant full moon for Easter-computation purposes is the same. For instance, in 2011, there were full moons on March 19 and April 18, so both calendars celebrated Easter on (Gregorian) April 24, the Sunday after (Gregorian) April 18. But sometimes there is a full moon between March 21 and April 3, so the relevant full moons will be about a month off. For instance, in 1997, the full moons were March 24 and April 27, so the Western churches celebrated Easter on March 30, the Sunday after March 24, while the Eastern churches celebrated Easter on April 27 itself (which happened to be a Sunday).




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Please do find more about this:

  1. Impaled until death overtook him
  2. Swedish theologian finds historical proof Jesus did not die on a cross
  3. Why 20 Nations Are Defending the Crucifix in Europe
  4. Easter: Why is it so early this year?
  5. Orthodox Easter: What’s up with that? + Orthodox Easter: What’s up with that? — Part 2
  6. 14 Nisan a day to remember #1 Inception
  7. 14 Nisan a day to remember #2 Time of Jesus
  8. 14 Nisan a day to remember #3 Before the Passover-feast
  9. 14 Nisan a day to remember #4 A Lamb slain
  10. 14 Nisan a day to remember #5 The Day to celebrate
  11. A Holy week in remembrance of the Blood of life
  12. High Holidays not only for Israel
  13. Festival of Freedom and persecutions
  14. Jesus begotten Son of God #2 Christmas and pagan rites
  15. A Great Gift commemorated
  16. Proclaiming shalom, bringing good news of good things, announcing salvation

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Friday 29 March 2013

A Holy week in remembrance of the Blood of life

Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said to them: “These are the words which the Lord has commanded, that you should do them” (Exodus 35:1)
English: Moses speaks to the children of Israe...
English: Moses speaks to the children of Israel, as in Deuteronomy 31:1, illustration from "The Boys of the Bible" by Hartwell James, published by Henry Altemus Company, 1905 and 1916. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


The people who believed in a Divine Creator came already together at regular times in the time of Moses and the time before him. Moses was warned by his father in law that he could not do things on his own.
“17 and Moses’ father-in-law said to him, the thing that you do [is] not good. 18 you will surely wear away, both you and this people that [is] with you. for this thing [is] too heavy for you; you are not able to perform it alone. 19 listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and god will be with you. you be for the people toward god, that you may bring the causes to god. 20 and you shall teach them ordinances and laws, and shall make them know the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21 and you shall look out of all the people able men, such as fear god, men of truth, hating unjust gain. and place [such] over them to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.” (Exodus 18:17-21 MKJV)
Today we also do find many people in church communities to be burned out, and the people right along with their supposed leaders. Today there are a lot of priests and church-leaders who are not really there for the people before God. They also are afraid or do not bring the many matters of concern to God. Though their job is to teach the common people the rules and instructions of God and to show them how to live, what to do. Many of those church-leaders do not fear God any-more or do not look up to men of integrity, men who are incorruptible — and do not appoint them as leaders over groups organized by the thousand, by the hundred, by fifty, and by ten. Many churches have gone far off track of what the bride Christ had offered.

Now we have been celebrating Chag Ha Aviv – Passover, our spring holiday – also named Chag HaMatzot the holiday of unleavened bread with so many other chosen people by God, we could and can take time to meet with many people who believe in the One and only One God of gods, Jehovah.

This 7 or 8 days of holy time coincides with what many Christians call the Holy Week. For us it is also a holy week.

As the Jews eat their “bread of procrastination” it is also for us a time to reflect on our faith. On 14 Nisan, Tuesday the 26th in the evening, after sundown, all over the world serious bible students came together to remember two special moments in history.

In Belgium people could follow the Memorial Meal in several languages (a.o. Dutch, French, German, English, Mandarin, Afrikaans, Congolese, Arabic, Albanian) and hear the readings from the Scriptures in their own language or a language they also know. Somehow they could find a language which could suit them and which they could follow so they should not have a had a language excuse.
There should also not have to be an excuse to delay the coming together, because we have 8 days time to come together to share the Good News with friends, colleagues, brethren and sisters in Christ.

As Rabbi Avi Katz Orlow wrote: "We all have ways we can grow; matzah is there to flatten us out and remind us that this growth might not fit neatly into our schedule." For him Jews are not destined to be the doormat of history. When the situation calls for it they need to be ready to risk their own safety and security to stand up for those who need our help.

Jews and Christians must be brave enough to end fights without going into fighting themselves. But even in those situations we need to know when to call it quits and move on. The armour we do have to put on is the armour of love, which was demonstrated by Jeshua (Jesus)

The Matzah has the focal point on freedom and on 14 Nisan we could say we have a remembrance of Liberation Day. First of all there where the Chosen People, Israel, the People of God, who were blessed by the Creator and shown the way to safeguard themselves for the destruction of the firstborns which came over the land of Egypt because the people of Egypt did not wanted to listen to the God of gods. Secondly there is the night Jesus prepared a meal with his disciples, washed their feet as a humble servant, broke unleavened bread and said thanks to the Most High Elohim. On that night he was going to be betrayed and brought to a judgement bringing death he let us know that we have something to look forward and that he was willing to serve as a mediator between God and men, being the Lam of God, bringing blood of life, the Blood of The Everlasting Covenant.

Through sharing meals we each can connect to the network of Jewish tables, Christian tables and share the connection which was made for the Gentiles by the Nazarene Jeshua, Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

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Please do find some of the readings of the service of 14 Nisan:
Please do also find to read about the Last Supper:
  1. Deliverance and establishement of a theocracy
  2. 14 Nisan a day to remember #1 Inception
  3. 14 Nisan a day to remember #2 Time of Jesus
  4. 14 Nisan a day to remember #3 Before the Passover-feast
  5. 14 Nisan a day to remember #4 A Lamb slain
  6. 14 Nisan a day to remember #5 The Day to celebrate
  7. Around the feast of Unleavened Bread
  8. High Holidays not only for Israel
  9. Festival of Freedom and persecutions

Vindt ook om te lezen rond het Laatste Avondmaal:
In het Nederlands:
  1. De Gezalfde en de eerste dag van de feestperiode van Ongezuurde Broden
  2. Voorbereidingstijd tot een herinneringsmoment
  3. Zalving van Christus als profetische repetitie van de begrafenisrituelen
  4. 1 -15 Nisan
  5. 14 Nisan, de avond om Christus Zijn predikingswerk te herinneren
  6. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #1 Oorsprong
  7. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #2 In Jezus tijd
  8. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #3 Voor het Overgangsfeest
  9. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #4 Een Gedood Lam
  10. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #5 De te vieren dag
  11. Jezus Laatste Avondmaal
  12. Jezus aanbod op het laatste avondmaal
  13. Teken van het Verbond
  14. Jezus moest sterven
  15. Een Messias om te Sterven
  16. Lam van God #3c Christus stierf als onschuldig Lam NT teksten
  17. Een Groots Geschenk om te herinneren
  18. Een Feestmaal en doodsherinnering
  19. Geen Wegvluchter
  20. Slavernij, Ongedesemd Brood en Feesten

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Monday 25 March 2013

De zoon van David en de eerste dag van het Feest van de ongezuurde broden


Nederlands: De intocht van Jezus in Jeruzalem,...
Nederlands: De intocht van Jezus in Jeruzalem, Russische icoon] (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“13  Toen Jezus in de omgeving van Caesarea Filippi gekomen was, vroeg Hij zijn discipelen en zeide: Wie zeggen de mensen, dat de Zoon des mensen is? 14 En zij zeiden: Sommigen: Johannes de Doper; anderen: Elia; weer anderen: Jeremia, of een der profeten. 15 Hij zeide tot hen: Maar gij, wie zegt gij, dat Ik ben? 16 Simon Petrus antwoordde en zeide: Gij zijt de Christus, de Zoon van de levende God! 17 Jezus antwoordde en zeide: Zalig zijt gij, Simon Barjona, want vlees en bloed heeft u dat niet geopenbaard, maar mijn Vader, die in de hemelen is. 18 En Ik zeg u, dat gij Petrus zijt, en op deze petra zal Ik mijn gemeente bouwen en de poorten van het dodenrijk zullen haar niet overweldigen.  19 Ik zal u de sleutels geven van het Koninkrijk der hemelen, en wat gij op aarde binden zult, zal gebonden zijn in de hemelen, en wat gij op aarde ontbinden zult, zal ontbonden zijn in de hemelen. 20 Toen verbood Hij met nadruk zijn discipelen aan iemand te zeggen: Hij is de Christus. 21  Van toen aan begon Jezus Christus zijn discipelen te tonen, dat Hij naar Jeruzalem moest gaan en veel lijden van de zijde der oudsten en overpriesters en schriftgeleerden en gedood worden en ten derden dage opgewekt worden.” (Mattheüs 16:13-21 NBG51)

 “17  Toen Jezus zou opgaan naar Jeruzalem, nam Hij de twaalven terzijde, en onderweg sprak Hij tot hen:  18 Zie, wij gaan op naar Jeruzalem en de Zoon des mensen zal overgeleverd worden aan de overpriesters en schriftgeleerden en zij zullen Hem ter dood veroordelen. 19 En zij zullen Hem overleveren aan de heidenen om Hem te bespotten en te geselen en te kruisigen, en ten derden dage zal Hij opgewekt worden.” (Mattheüs 20:17-19 NBG51)

 “1  En toen zij Jeruzalem naderden en te Betfage kwamen, aan de Olijfberg, toen zond Jezus twee discipelen uit, tot wie Hij zeide: {} 2 Gaat naar het dorp, dat tegenover u ligt, en terstond zult gij een ezelin vastgebonden vinden, en een veulen bij haar. Maakt haar los en brengt haar tot Mij. 3 En indien iemand u iets erover mocht zeggen, zegt dan: de Here heeft ze nodig. Hij zal ze terstond [terug] zenden. 4 Dit is geschied, opdat vervuld zou worden hetgeen gesproken is door de profeet, toen hij zeide:  5 Zegt der dochter Sions: Zie, uw Koning komt tot u, zachtmoedig en rijdend op een ezel, en op een veulen, het jong van een lastdier. 6 Nadat de discipelen heengegaan waren en gedaan hadden, zoals Jezus hun had opgedragen, 7 brachten zij de ezelin en het veulen en zij legden hun klederen erop, en Hij ging daarop zitten. 8 En het merendeel der schare spreidde hun klederen op de weg, anderen sloegen takken van de bomen en spreidden die op de weg. 9 En de scharen, die voor Hem uit gingen en die volgden, riepen, zeggende: Hosanna de Zoon van David, gezegend Hij, die komt in de naam des Heren; Hosanna in de hoogste hemelen! 10 En toen Hij Jeruzalem binnenging, kwam de gehele stad in rep en roer en zeide: Wie is dit? {} 11 En de scharen zeiden: Dit is de profeet, Jezus, van Nazaret in Galilea.” (Mattheüs 21:1-11 NBG51)

 “1  En het geschiedde, toen Jezus al deze woorden geeindigd had, dat Hij tot zijn discipelen zeide: 2 Gij weet, dat het over twee dagen Paasfeest is, en alsdan wordt de Zoon des mensen overgeleverd om gekruisigd te worden. 3 Toen kwamen de overpriesters en de oudsten des volks bijeen in het paleis van de hogepriester, genaamd Kajafas, 4 en zij beraamden een plan om Jezus door list in handen te krijgen en te doden. 5 Maar zij zeiden: Niet op het feest, opdat er geen opschudding ontsta onder het volk.” (Mattheüs 26:1-5 NBG51)

 “17  Op de eerste dag van het feest der ongezuurde broden, kwamen de discipelen bij Jezus en zeiden: Waar wilt Gij, dat wij toebereidselen maken voor U om het Pascha te eten? 18 Hij zeide: Gaat naar de stad tot die-en-die en zegt tot hem: De Meester zegt: Mijn tijd is nabij; bij u houd Ik met mijn discipelen het Pascha. 19 En de discipelen deden, zoals Jezus hun had opgedragen, en zij maakten het Pascha gereed. 20 Toen het avond geworden was, lag Hij aan met de twaalf discipelen. 21 En terwijl zij aten, zeide Hij: Voorwaar, Ik zeg u, dat een van u Mij verraden zal. 22 En zeer bedroefd, begonnen zij, een voor een, tot Hem te zeggen: Ik ben het toch niet, Here? 23 Hij antwoordde hun en zeide: Die zijn hand met Mij in de schotel heeft gedoopt, die zal Mij verraden. 24 De Zoon des mensen gaat wel heen gelijk van Hem geschreven staat, doch wee die mens, door wie de Zoon des mensen verraden wordt. (26-25a) Het ware voor die mens goed geweest, als hij niet geboren was. 25 (26-25b) Judas, zijn verrader, antwoordde en zeide: Ik ben het toch niet, Rabbi? Hij zeide tot hem: Gij hebt het gezegd. 26  En terwijl zij aten, nam Jezus een brood, sprak de zegen uit, brak het en gaf het aan zijn discipelen en zeide: Neemt, eet, dit is mijn lichaam. 27 En Hij nam een beker, sprak de dankzegging uit en gaf hun die en zeide: Drinkt allen daaruit. 28 Want dit is het bloed van mijn verbond, dat voor velen vergoten wordt tot vergeving van zonden. 29 Doch Ik zeg u, Ik zal van nu aan voorzeker niet meer van deze vrucht van de wijnstok drinken, tot op die dag, dat Ik haar met u nieuw zal drinken in het Koninkrijk mijns Vaders. 30 En na de lofzang gezongen te hebben vertrokken zij naar de Olijfberg. 31  Toen zeide Jezus tot hen: Gij zult allen aan Mij aanstoot nemen in deze nacht. Want er staat geschreven: Ik zal de herder slaan en de schapen der kudde zullen verstrooid worden. 32 Doch nadat Ik zal zijn opgewekt, zal Ik u voorgaan naar Galilea. 33 Petrus antwoordde en zeide tot Hem: Al zouden allen aanstoot aan U nemen, ik nooit!  34 Jezus zeide tot hem: Voorwaar, Ik zeg u, in deze nacht, eer de haan kraait, zult gij Mij driemaal verloochenen. 35 Petrus zeide tot Hem: Zelfs al moest ik met U sterven, ik zal U voorzeker niet verloochenen. Zo spraken ook al de discipelen. 36  Toen ging Jezus met hen naar een plaats, genaamd Getsemane, en Hij zeide tot de discipelen: Zet u hier neder, terwijl Ik heenga om daar te bidden.” (Mattheüs 26:17-36 NBG51)

 “20 Wanneer gij dan bijeenkomt, is dat niet het eten van de maaltijd des Heren; 21 want bij het eten neemt ieder vooraf zijn eigen deel, zodat de een hongerig is en de ander dronken. 22 Hebt gij dan geen huizen om te eten en te drinken? Of minacht gij [zozeer] de gemeente Gods, dat gij de behoeftigen beschaamd maakt? Wat zal ik tot u zeggen? Zal ik u prijzen? Op dit punt prijs ik niet. 23  Want zelf heb ik bij overlevering van de Here ontvangen, wat ik u weder overgegeven heb, dat de Here Jezus in de nacht, waarin Hij werd overgeleverd, een brood nam, 24 de dankzegging uitsprak, het brak en zeide: Dit is mijn lichaam voor u, doet dit tot mijn gedachtenis. 25 Evenzo ook de beker, nadat de maaltijd afgelopen was, en Hij zeide: Deze beker is het nieuwe verbond in mijn bloed, doet dit, zo dikwijls gij die drinkt, tot mijn gedachtenis. 26 Want zo dikwijls gij dit brood eet en de beker drinkt, verkondigt gij de dood des Heren, totdat Hij komt. 27 Wie dus op onwaardige wijze het brood eet of de beker des Heren drinkt, zal zich bezondigen aan het lichaam en bloed des Heren. 28 Maar ieder beproeve zichzelf en ete dan van het brood en drinke uit de beker. 29 Want wie eet en drinkt, eet en drinkt tot zijn eigen oordeel, als hij het lichaam niet onderscheidt.  30 Daarom zijn er onder u velen zwak en ziekelijk en er ontslapen niet weinigen. 31 Indien wij echter onszelf beoordeelden, zouden wij niet onder het oordeel komen. 32 Maar onder het oordeel des Heren worden wij getuchtigd, opdat wij niet met de wereld zouden veroordeeld worden. 33 Daarom, mijn broeders, als gij samenkomt om te eten, wacht op elkander. 34 Heeft iemand honger, laat hij thuis eten, opdat gij niet tot uw oordeel bijeenkomt. Het overige zal ik regelen, wanneer ik kom. ” (1 Corinthiërs 11:20-34 NBG51)

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Vindt ook:

  1. 1 -15 Nisan 
  2. 14 Nisan, de avond om Christus Zijn predikingswerk te herinneren
  3. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #1 Oorsprong
  4. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #2 In Jezus tijd
  5. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #3 Voor het Overgangsfeest
  6. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #4 Een Gedood Lam
  7. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #5 De te vieren dag 
  8. Voorbereidingstijd tot een herinneringsmoment 
  9. Jezus Laatste Avondmaal 
  10. Jezus aanbod op het laatste avondmaal 
  11. Teken van het Verbond 
  12. Jezus moest sterven 
  13. Een Messias om te Sterven 
  14. Een Feestmaal en doodsherinnering 
  15. Een Groots Geschenk om te herinneren 
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The son of David and the first day of the feast of unleavened bread


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“13  and coming into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, jesus asked his disciples, saying, who do men say me to be, the son of man? 14 and they said, some [say], John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 15 he said to them, but who do you say I am? 16 and Simon Peter answered and said, you are the christ, the son of the living god. 17 jesus answered and said to him, you are blessed, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal [it] to you, but my father in heaven. 18 and I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and [the] gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 and I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven to you. and whatever you may bind on earth shall occur, having been bound in heaven, and whatever you may loose on earth shall occur, having been loosed in heaven. 20 then he warned his disciples that they should tell no one that he was jesus the christ. 21  from that time jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” (Matthew 16:13-21 MKJV)

 “17  and going up to Jerusalem, jesus took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said to them, 18 behold, we go up to Jerusalem. and the son of man shall be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death. 19 and they shall deliver him to the nations to mock and to scourge and to crucify. and the third day he shall rise again.” (Matthew 20:17-19 MKJV)

 “1  and when they drew near Jerusalem, and had come to Bethphage, to the mount of olives, then jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, go into the village across from you. and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her. Untie [them] and bring [them] to me. 3 and if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, the lord has need of them, and immediately he will send them. 4 all this was done so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your king comes to you, meek, and sitting on an ass, even a colt the foal of an ass. 6 and the disciples went and did as jesus commanded them. 7 and they brought the ass, even the colt, and put their clothes on them, and he sat on them. 8 and a very great crowd spread their garments in the way. others cut down branches from the trees and spread [them] in the way. 9 and the crowds who went before, and those who followed, cried out, saying, Hosanna to the son of David! blessed [is] he who comes in [the] name of [the] lord! Hosanna in the highest! 10 and when he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, who is this? 11 and the crowd said, this is jesus the prophet, from Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matthew 21:1-11 MKJV)

 “1  and it happened when jesus finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 you know that after two days the passover comes, and the son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 3 then the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, assembled together to the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. 4 and [they] consulted so that they might take jesus by guile and kill [him]. 5 but they said, not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar among the people.” (Matthew 26:1-5 MKJV)

 “17  and on the first [day] of the [feast of] unleavened [bread], the disciples came to jesus, saying to him, where do you desire that we prepare for you to eat the passover? 18 and he said, go into the city to such a man, and say to him, the master said, my time is at hand. I will keep the passover at your house with my disciples. 19 and the disciples did as jesus had appointed them. and they made the passover ready. 20 and when evening had come, he sat down with the twelve. 21 and as they ate, he said, truly I say to you that one of you will betray me. 22 and grieving sorrowfully, they began to say, each one of them, lord, not I am [the one]? 23 and he answered and said, he who dips [his] hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 the son of man goes, as it has been written of him, but woe to that man by whom the son of man is betrayed! it would have been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 and answering, the [one] betraying him, Judas, said, master, not am I [the one]? he said to him, you said [it]. 26  and as they were eating, jesus took bread and blessed [it], and broke [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, take, eat, this is my body. 27 and he took the cup and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, drink all of it. 28 for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 but I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it new with you in my father’s kingdom. 30 and singing a hymn, they went out to the mount of olives. 31  then jesus said to them, all of you will be offended because of me this night. for it is written, "I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32 but after I have risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 Peter answered and said to him, though all shall be offended because of you, I will never be offended. 34 jesus said to him, truly I say to you that this night, before the cock crows, you shall deny me three times. 35 Peter said to him, though I should die with you, yet I will not deny you. all the disciples also said the same. 36  then jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane. and he said to the disciples, sit here while I go and pray there.” (Matthew 26:17-36 MKJV)

 “20 therefore when you come together into one place, [this] is not to eat [the] lord’s supper. 21 for in eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry, and another drunken. 22 for do you not have houses [in which] to eat and drink? or do you despise the church of god, and shame those who do not have? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you for this? I do not praise [you]! 23  for I received from the lord what I also delivered to you, that the lord jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; 24 and giving thanks, he broke [it] and said, "take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me. 25 in the same way [he took] the cup also, after supping, saying, "this cup is the new covenant in my blood; as often as you drink it, do this in remembrance of me. 26 for "as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you show" the lord’s death until he shall come. 27 so that whoever shall eat this bread and drink [this] cup of the lord unworthily, he will be guilty of the body and blood of the lord. 28 but let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread and drink of that cup. 29 for he who eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks condemnation to himself, not discerning the lord’s body. 30 for this cause many among you [are] weak and sickly, and many sleep. 31 for if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 but when we are judged, we are chastened by [the] lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 so that, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 but if anyone hungers, let him eat at home, so that you do not come together to condemnation. and the rest I will set in order when I come.” (1 Corinthians 11:20-34 MKJV)

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English: Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey
Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Please do find to read:

  1. 1 -15 Nisan
  2. Deliverance and establishement of a theocracy
  3. Day of remembrance coming near 
  4. 14 Nisan a day to remember #1 Inception
  5. 14 Nisan a day to remember #2 Time of Jesus 
  6. 14 Nisan a day to remember #3 Before the Passover-feast 
  7. 14 Nisan a day to remember #4 A Lamb slain 
  8. 14 Nisan a day to remember #5 The Day to celebrate
  9. Around the feast of Unleavened Bread
  10. High Holidays not only for Israel
  11. Observance of a day to Remember
  12. Festival of Freedom and persecutions


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Friday 22 March 2013

High Holidays not only for Israel

In Deliverance and establishement of a theocracy we saw that the Creator God provided twice in history a Passover lamb.

Map of the Land of Israel as defined in Number...
Map of the Land of Israel as defined in Numbers 34 and Ezekiel 47 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In coming together next Tuesday 26 March we bring glory to God and show how thankful we are for what He provided in this world. The 14th of Nisan, like that day is called according the directions of God, we commemorate two occasions of deliberation: 1. the liberation of God's People Israel from Egypt; 2. the liberation of all people, believers, heathen, non-believers by the sacrificial offer of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.


Many in Belgium know about this day, either from the Jews or from the Jehovah Witnesses. But they should know they are also welcome at our services to see how we honour God and how we share the love of Christ Jesus. As most Jews will gather with family and friends, at a Pesah or Pesach seder, we also will celebrate the liberation of God's chosen people from slavery.

William Blake's Holy Thursday (1794).
William Blake's Holy Thursday (1794). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The coming days several people may be annoyed that the shops are closed because of a Holy Day . This weekend it starts with the Cypriots and Greeks having free until Tuesday and the 5th of May for their Easter Sunday (Many Orthodox Christian churches, including the Greek Orthodox and the Russian Orthodox churches, celebrate the “miracle of Easter” on the Easter Sunday date in the Julian calendar.) The Jews, Messianic Jews, Unitarian Churches (like Church of God) and non-trinitarian Biblestudents (like the Russell and Christadelphian Biblestudents, Thomasites and Jehovah Witnesses) have coming Tuesday as the 'Preparation' date (14 Nisan) and the Wednesday until Thursday (15 Nisan) as Pesach, on Thursday and Friday the Old Catholics with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, on Sunday and Monday 31st of March and the 1st of April Easter for the Roman Catholics and several Protestant denominations and for the worshippers of the Celtic gods and those celebrating the goddess Estra (hence the name Easter). Also Hindus, Muslims, other believers and atheists may receive two paid holidays though they may not be interested in the reasons of the free days but will enjoy the family time.

For followers of the One and Only One God of gods  יהוה {Jehovah} it should be the most important time of the year, and not to celebrate the goddess of fertility, Estra, but to think of the liberation of the people God has given His creation.

In Belgium everybody knows  Israel “the place,” and Israel, “the people”but not many do know the position that Israel has to take in the universe. Also we, as Christians should be more aware of the function of Israel and what the position and role shall be for Jerusalem.

14 Nisan is a day when so many in Antwerp shall go into festivity days. Many Jews shall also invite non Jews to a dish with nice things for a special celebration. But we as Christians can also invite other believers to share our faith and to tell them about the liberation of the People of God and what we do expect from the bloodletting of the lamb. The mitzvah of Ahavat Yisrael, loving Israel, calls us to love both the land of Israel and Klal Yisrael, the people of Israel. Loving Israel links us to both the land and the people. We should show respect for the people who got first priority by God. But we should also love all those who are created in the image of God. That means that we also should be loving to people who believe different things than us, or who say they do not believe (though they perhaps mean that they do not believe that there exist a Divine Supremacy God Creator).

Like we should teach our children about “Israel” we also should teach others about the Divine Creator, Israel and the promises God has given the world. Such holidays are good opportunities to do that. We should make use of it.

Though many have tried everything to get rid of Israel it is still a large family spread all over the world. They are a diverse group with different opinions, cultures, lifestyles, levels of observance, and beliefs. However, they are still all one family with responsibilities to each other. Those who want to become under the custody of the Creator God should also be prepared to take others under their care and should unite with each other as children of God, feeling to be part of the one Big Family.

Having been an enslaved and pursued people the Jews should know what it is to be put aside or to be discriminated. The Festival of Liberation coming in a few days time, they should, as we should, take some time to consider what cruelty can be done to people and how God can protect people and give them plural chances to make something good of their life.They should have esteem for their Liberator and show their gratitude to that Protector to others. Their children should come to understand and adopt as part of their vocabulary and their growing Jewish identity  ensch, brakhah, Torah, mitzvah, boker tov, Shabbat, tzedakah, shalom , and Israel and Klal Israel. Young children may not fully comprehend what something happening “long ago” means, but they can have an understanding that what they do now has been done for a long time. First, it happened in Eretz Yisrael, the land of Israel. And now, today, Jews living all over the world continue to observe these mitzvot/practices. This must be important if their family, their teachers and friends give it such meaning.

Others around them should also get to know why those festivities are. And those who are willing to be partakers of the Kingdom of God with Israel as the capital, should show their respect to that Jewish tradition and follow the Law of God.

The same as the Jews connect with those they care about when they share a Passover Seder with family and friends, we should take the occasion of 14 Nisan, the preparation day to the 15 th of Nisan and Pesach, the Passover Meal, to invite others to share a meal with us and to share our prayers and songs to God.

By the action of the Jew Jeshua from Nazareth, Jesus Christ, those following him have become part of the people of God. And as such they also should like the Jews, communally give voice to our shortcomings and our wishes for peace and good health in the coming year during the High Holidays.


Simon Ushakov's icon of the Mystical Supper.
Simon Ushakov's icon of the Mystical Supper. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Like Jesus who came together with his talmidim to prepare themselves for the celebration of the Passover meal at twilight on the fourteenth day of Nisan as ordered in the Law of Moses, we come together according the ordinances given by God and by the request of His son to remember that evening of Jesus his Last Supper. As followers of Christ, believing in his death and resurrection, accepting his offer for us, we believe we have now also become part of those chosen by God to be part of His family. And for this we are very grateful and wish to let the world know about the Wonders God did for His people.

Passover in 2013 will start on Tuesday, the 26th of March and will continue for 7 days until Monday, the 1st of April.
In the USA, Passover ends one day later, so in 2013, Passover will end on Tuesday, the 2nd of April.

This year it was a little bit difficult to consider which day to be taken, because their where different opinions and some confusion in the world, having some Jews and Bible students taking the 14th Nisan Tuesday the 26th and others like in Israel celebrating Passover on the sunset in Jerusalem of Monday, the 25th of March.

We accordingly invite you for our Memorial Meal on 14 Nisan or Tuesday the 26th of March at 7.30 pm.

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You may find more information about Easter and 14 Nisan:

  1. Self-development, self-control, meditation, beliefs and spirituality
  2. Religious Practices around the world
  3. Anointing of Christ as Prophetic Rehearsal of the Burial rites
  4. The Weekend that changed the world
  5. A Great Gift commemorated
  6. Jesus begotten Son of God #1 Christmas and Christians
  7. Jesus begotten Son of God #2 Christmas and pagan rites
  8. A Messiah to die
  9. The Song of The Lamb #3 Daniel and Revelation
  10. Not bounded by labels but liberated in Christ
  11. Festival of Freedom and persecutions
  12. Seven days of Passover
  13. 1 -15 Nisan
  14. Day of remembrance coming near 
  15. Pesach
  16. Korban Pesach
  17. 14 Nisan a day to remember #1 Inception
  18. 14 Nisan a day to remember #2 Time of Jesus
  19. 14 Nisan a day to remember #3 Before the Passover-feast
  20. 14 Nisan a day to remember #4 A Lamb slain
  21. A Jewish Theocracy
  22. Observance of a day to Remember
  23. Around the feast of Unleavened Bread
  24. Observance of a day to Remember 
  25. Pesach and solidarity 
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 Also of interest:

Faith Without Obedience
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