God Searches and Cleans
We are in the midst of the Feast of Unleavened Bread that follows Passover night. For seven days, Jewish people are to eat nothing containing leaven (such as yeast and baking soda). The day before Passover, Jewish people search through the entire house to remove all leaven. Every cupboard, drawer, nook and cranny is examined, and some families have even used a feather to clean out every last crumb.
In the New Covenant, leaven is a metaphor for sin. “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?” the apostle Paul asks (1 Corinthians 5:6).
It is wonderful to know God loves us unconditionally and generously forgives our failures. When it comes to sin, as Believers in Messiah, we are no longer condemned, but we are called to grow and become more like Yeshua (Jesus) day by day. As we do, we bring Him glory and are used to draw people to Him. Sin gets in the way, and it also hinders the fullness of life in us Jesus died to provide (Hebrews 12:1).
Recognizing personal wrongdoing is a continual pursuit in the Believer’s life. In Psalm 139, David cried out “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Examine me and know my anxious thoughts, and see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23–24).
It’s not pleasant to see our own sin and weaknesses. But, as Believers, we can count on the fact that God’s love for us does not change when He searches our hearts and points out remaining leaven.
Let this week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread motivate you to invite God to search your heart and reveal any “hurtful way” (NASB) in you He would like to show you. As you do, you can be on your way to stepping out of sin’s entrapments and into greater freedom.
Passover Prayer for Day 3
Father, I know You love me. Give me the courage to see my sin. Search me, O God, and show me any hurtful, offensive ways that You want to remove from my life. Cleanse me, O God, so I can be free of the sin that hinders me. Free me to love You and reflect You more today.
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This enlightening infographic will teach you the meaning of the Passover seder plate, the elements to include and the significance behind them.
