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Passover is coming! This year it begins in the evening of March 30th and goes to the 31st. The Hebrew month is Nisan,  which is the first month –

“This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.“ – Exodus 12:1

Later in this article, I will explain why this important. But, there are many facts about Passover that we should remember.

First, it marks the beginning of deliverance from slavery. Most of us think we have never seen slavery but, we have! Jesus taught –

“Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” – John 8:34

and we are all in that category! Many of my blogs have to do with truth and it’s vital importance because it is truth that is able to set us free, and Jesus is the Truth. The Apostle John wrote about sin –

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” – 1 John 1:8

Many today are pushing ‘social justice’ movements like Black Lives Matter, women’s liberation, Gay and Lesbian Pride, etc., but they will never have success, only more bondage and slavery because they carry their own problems within themselves – SIN! What is sin? It is any lifestyle, thought or action that is against God. There is no hope in any of such movements. There is hope only in Passover. Only Passover can set us free from the slavery of sin.

Second, Passover begins on the 14th day of Nisan but, a lamb without blemish was to be brought into the house 4 days before Passover on Nissan 10. This lamb was to be the sacrifice and its blood was to be painted on the doorposts of the house. When the angel of death passed over that house and saw the blood, he would pass over. The family of that household got familiar with the Lamb for 4 days, knowing all the time that it would save their lives. There were 4 days of remembering and repenting for all their sins before that final day of judgement – Passover. In this sense it pointed forward in time to the 10 days of awe that would occur between that future Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement (first two Fall Feasts), when the Lord would return and an account for past sins must be given.

While there are many more important lessons in the Feast of Passover, I want to conclude this article with one more vital point. Third, At the time when the destroyer was passing over all, God’s Holy Spirit was at work too. There was much repenting that had to take place and only the Holy Spirit can lead into repentance.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” – Eph. 4:30

Repentance is a reaction to the convicting of the Holy Spirit and not just human remorse. Esau found no place of repentance though he sought it with bitter tears. So, during Passover the Holy Spirit is at work and the rest of the Passover story is all a display of the Holy Spirit’s power; the Red Sea opening, water from the rock in the desert, manna from heaven, no sickness in the wilderness, all needs being met, meeting God at Mt. Sinai.

As we celebrate Passover this year we need to remember, we need an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to prepare for the final wilderness journey and that is exactly what God promises –

“Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.” – Joel 2:23″

Notice, the rain will come in the first month, the month of Nisan. And remember, we are specifically told to pray for it –

“Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.” – Zec. 10:1

Continue praying, don’t give up. Remember, on Pentecost, when the former rain came, they had been seeking and praying for 50 days. God will honor His word in due time, don’t give up. He is not going to pour out this latter rain because we are so good, but because we are not so good and we need it for the days ahead!

If you feel discouraged and lost,  cheer up – your Passover has come. If you are in bondage to some sin you can;t seem to break, cheer up, Jesus specializes in setting captives free! If you are laboring under the pain of sickness, Jesus has come with healing in His wings (the hem of His robe). This Passover can be your beginning of release and freedom – don’t miss it.