Leviticus 23 includes Passover and Unleavened Bread, as well as Firstfruits as part of the Lord's Feasts which we are encouraged to celebrate.
The Hebrew word for Passover is "Pesach" meaning "to spring, jump or pass over something." This refers to God's deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt. Passover not only typifies redemption, but prophetically it was God's plan for world redemption by Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb. What a reason to celebrate!
"And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy," Ezra 6:22. I have not personally found many Believers who celebrate the Lord's Feasts, excited about getting rid of the leaven or yeast in their lives. They believe it may be painful or too hard to give up enjoyable/addicting habits. It may be even worse for some to lay down their mental strongholds so that they can receive inner healing.
In 1st Corinthians 5:7 Paul states, "Cleanse out the old leaven that you maybe a new lump, just as you really are unleavened. For Christ the Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed." Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we are already new. His death and resurrection has removed the leaven in our life. However, in a practical way there is still leaven that we must cleanse inside and out from the influence of the world. It is a time of purifying our heart and a time to make a decision to separate our self from anything unclean.
In preparation for this Passover, beginning March 30th through April 7th, as we cleanse our "house" and get rid of the leaven, let's celebrate as we experience His presence, joy and blessings!
