In This Issue

• JESUS ATE THE PASSOVER, AND FULFILLED IT
• JUST AS GOD FORGAVE
• HOW TO HAVE A QUITE CHILD IN WORSHIP
• MORE INFORMATION...

JESUS ATE THE PASSOVER, AND FULFILLED IT

"Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, [Jesus'] disciples said to Him, 'Where do You want us to go and prepare that You may eat the Passover?' And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, 'Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, "The Teacher says, 'Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?'" Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.' So His disciples went out, and came into the city and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. In the evening He came with the twelve." (Mark 14:12-21).

The time had come for the observance of the Passover. Devout Jews traveled from all parts of the world to be in Jerusalem for that feast. The Passover feast commemorated the night the Hebrew people had been released from their slavery in Egypt. That original Passover evening, God has passed through the land of Egypt and slain the firstborn of all men and animals throughout the land, except in those houses where a lamb had been slain and its blood applied around the opening of their door, according to His instructions.

But the Passover lamb, and indeed all the other animal sacrifices offered by the Jewish priests throughout the history of the Hebrew nation, had still another significance of which most folks were not aware. Even from the time of Abel, before the giving of the Law of Moses, every animal sacrifice scripturally offered had foreshadowed the sacrifice, which someday would end all such sacrifices. The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us that the blood of bulls and goats could never actually take away sins. The best those sacrifices could do was to picture, foreshadow, or typify the sacrifice, which would take away our sins: the blood of Jesus Christ. See Hebrews 10:4-14. In this connection, the apostle Paul tells us that "Christ our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7). 

It is significant that the Jewish day began at evening. So what to us would have been Thursday night was to the first century Jew the first part of Friday. It was Nisan 14, the day for slaying and eating the Passover lamb. Jesus and His apostles observed that day in accordance with the Law of Moses. Before the day ended, Jesus fulfilled the Passover by becoming "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). 

An ancient tradition says that the upper room in which Jesus observed His last Passover, and instituted the Lord's supper, was in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. We cannot be certain that tradition is correct, but we do know that later, her house was a gathering place for Christ's followers (Acts 12:12). This could explain why Mark says in Mark 14:17, "In the evening He came with the twelve."

-Clarence R. Johnson

JUST AS GOD FORGAVE

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32). This passage demands that Christians forgive each other. It also sets a strict guide for this forgiving -- "just as God in Christ forgave you." God is the perfect standard for forgiving, but what does "just as God forgave " include?

God is willing to forgive. No one twisted God's arm to grant forgiveness. Nothing demanded that he forgive -- except that he willed to forgive. As God was unwilling for any to perish (2 Pet.3:9), so he was willing to forgive all trespasses. Thus, you can count on God's mercy -- "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness "(1 Jno.1:9). Our standard is set! It is deeper than duty; it roots in the heart. We must be really willing to forgive.

God is aggressive to forgive. In regard to forgiveness, who approached who? Man did not make the first overture. It was God who reached out to man while he was still a sinner -- still a rebel. " But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us"(Rom.5:8). Again the standard is set for us. Jesus said: "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift "(Mt.5:23-24). Jesus expected the "sinned against " to aggressively pursue forgiveness -- even before offering his sacrifice. That emphasis mimics God. It is un-godlike to withhold forgiveness or to make no efforts toward forgiving one who sinned against us. "Just as God forgave " demands we make the first step.

God forgives absolutely. There are not hidden clauses, no reservations in God's forgiveness. In awe, the psalmist argued, "He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us " (Psa.103:10). How far has he removed sins? --"as far as the east is from the west." God forgives -- and completely disposes of sin "Just as God forgave" sets a high bar! Our forgiveness must absolutely absolve our brother -- completely erase all charges against him.

God forgives permanently. Sins forgiven never rise again. Jeremiah prophesied of God's covenant for the last days. It is quoted and applied in Hebrews. "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them," God's "last days " covenant was written in hearts rather than stone -- as was his first covenant. Note the addendum: "then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more "(Heb.10:16-17). How long is forgiveness? Remembered no more! No reprieve for a year! -- forever gone! "Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. "(v. 18). No need for more sacrifice for those sins; they are forgiven! They are done with forever. Other sins may plague -- and separate from God, but God forgiven sins never are brought up again. Forgiveness is permanent! No strings attached. There is no other variety! "Just as God forgave " demands we forever loose the charges against a brother. We expect such from God; we must extend the same to a brother.

God forgives conditionally. All God's expansive mercy does not argue against conditions for forgiveness. God always placed repentance before forgiveness. There has never been unilateral forgiveness -- God acting without man doing anything. God always first required sinners to " turn to God, and do works befitting repentance "(Act.26:20). God did much to induce repentance, but no forgiveness was ever granted before or without repentance. That is how God forgives! -- the only way God forgives!

What did Jesus say of those who refused to repent and come to him? "you will die in your sins” (Jno.8:24) -- unforgiven. He also said of them: "where I go you cannot come "(8:21). -- lost. "Just as God forgave " says we are also to seek -- expect -- require repentance so forgiveness may follow. Some expect Christians to be more benevolent – more merciful than God. God does not forgive without repentance; neither does he require others to do so. Jesus said: "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him"(Lk.17:3-4). Notice, "if he repents." In no way does this excuse using repentance as an excuse for an unmerciful heart -- it is not a scapegoat for not seeking to forgive. No one learned any such thing from God! Remember, "just as God forgave " demands "willing " and "aggressive " overtures to forgive.

"Just as God forgave " also is never a model for ignoring evil conduct -- and then calling it forgiveness.

–Joe Fitch, Gospel Spotlight, Dec. 2002.

HOW TO HAVE A QUIET CHILD IN WORSHIP

It is not only desirable for adults to observe quietness in worship but it is also desirable for children. Most children are naturally noisy; therefore it is necessary that they be taught to be quiet. That this is the responsibility of parents is a fact that is clearly understood by most people. We think that there are some definite steps to be taken by parents in order to teach children to be quiet during the worship hour. These suggestions are given below with a desire to be helpful in this matter.

TEACH YOUR CHILD OBEDIENCE. This must be started at an early age. It must be done before the worship. In the home is the place to teach obedience, and it must be a daily practice. The demand for obedience cannot be relaxed by the parent at anytime.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILD YOURSELF. You are the parent. Your child is your responsibility. Your child looks to you for guidance, and will more readily obey you than someone else [if you are the proper kind of a parent: CRJ]. Aunts, uncles, grandparents and others, should leave children to their parents.

SET AN EXAMPLE OF QUIETNESS NOT ONLY AT WORSHIP, BUT AT ALL TIMES. Shouting at a child encourages the child to shout back. If you are constantly talking during worship, expect your child to do the same thing. Refusing to allow shouting and screaming in the home will encourage the child to be quiet in the worship.

IF THE CHILD CONTINUES TO BE NOISY IN THE AUDITORIUM, MAKE USE OF THE NURSERY. Then after quiet has been restored, take the child back into the auditorium. The taking out should never be an enjoyable experience, but if necessary it should be the opposite. A little palm oil, or peach tree tea, applied in the proper place, usually has a silencing effect.

KEEP YOUR CHILD WITH YOU. This is especially essential in pre-teen ages; at least you should sit where you can easily see and control your child. All the noise is not made by the infants. Leaving the auditorium should be kept at a minimum.

Following these suggestions should have the correct results. They will not come over-night, but only after diligent practice and effort. 

-Foster L. Ramsey in: The Minister's Monthly.

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