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The Last Day of Unleavened Bread
April 1, 2013

The Days of Unleavened Bread for Christians symbolize coming out of sin. Similar to Lent where something desired is given up, those Christians who observe the Days of Unleavened Bread do not eat leavened bread and have no leavening in their house. Those of us who observe these days understand these days symbolize our journey from sin, much as the Children of Israel took the first steps on their journey when departing Egypt. As part of the Christian extension of this original observance is the understanding we are charged with a new commandment to have love for one another as Jesus loved all of us. To arrive at this place on our own spiritual journey requires us to walk in the light and come out of the darkness, and this concept is introduced and extended in the new testament.

1 John 1:1-10
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

John shows us of the need to be honest with ourselves. When I work with students as a special education teacher, while I remind them of the need to be honest, I also remind them there is no benefit to be gained by lying to themselves. John also explains to us how we can measure ourselves to see if we walk in the light or darkness, and this measure has a direct connection to the new commandment given by Jesus shortly before his death. If we avoid other Christians so that we can focus on a relationship with Jesus but develop a relationship based on lies and deceit, John shows us the truth is not in us. We have to be honest with ourselves and understand what our place is in our relationship, or fellowship, with Jesus and the Father. John shows we are more likely to have a correct understanding of our relationship, or fellowship, with Jesus and the Father when we walk in the light, and have well established relationships with other Christians. We must avoid deceiving ourselves; we cannot lie to ourselves. While we shouldn't lie to others, it is when we lie to ourselves that we are the most deceived. It is when we fully understand our sins and confess them that Jesus is able to forgive us of our sins, intercede with the Father on our behalf, so that we may be cleansed from all unrighteousness. Paul had similar thoughts in writings.

2 Corinthians 4:1-7
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Paul knew the importance of being honest and to avoid any form of deceit. He knew we cannot keep this gospel hid, because hiding it only hurts those who need to hear it. As much as God has shined the light of the gospel in our heart, we must provide opportunity for others to have this same light shined in their own heart. The bonus to being human is that it should become evident to all that the miracle of the gospel is a gift of God and not the result of any action on our individual parts. From the very beginning, God intended his people to be the light of the world. When the Children of Israel departed from Egypt, they were the spotlight of attention. When light shines in darkness it is by comparison beautiful, even if what shines as light is less than beautiful. All who are led by the spirit are beautiful when compared to the evil of this world and as Christians, especially those of us who are apostolic first-century Christians, we need to set aside that which divides us and focus on the light that is in us.

Matthew 5:13-20
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

As we walk in our journey on this path from darkness to light and more fully understand this new commandment, to love one another, we must remember that Jesus warned us to not forget the commandments. With diligent effort we will arrive at a destination where we are filled with light, have love for one another and have righteousness that exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees because when we keep all parts of the law, and have love for one another, we fulfill the purpose of the law, and when we fulfill the purpose of the law and have love for one another we are able to celebrate what is good, embrace what is good, and do what is good.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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