The Covenant Meal

Foundation Scriptures: 
Exodus 12:1-14 KJV

  1.  Salvation from Bondage.
    a.  The first eleven chapters of the Book of Exodus tell us about the bondage of the Israelites in Egypt.
    b.  In Exodus 12:1-14, God is outlining a way out – a plan of salvation.
    c.  He is not only setting His people free, but He is also judging the gods of Egypt.
    d.  God is holy – sin must be judged.
    e.  The tenth day of the month of Nissan this year is on March 26th.
    f.  One lamb (a year old), per family, is selected and thoroughly inspected for imperfections for three days.
    g.  If one small blemish is found, the lamb is not worthy of the sacrifice.
  2.  Sacrificial Lamb.
    a.  There were approximately 2.5 million people (family of 8) which equals 312,500 lambs.
    b.  God was specific: Roast it. Do not eat it raw and do not boil it.
    c.  On the 14th day of the month, after passing inspection, the lamb is sacrificed and the blood caught by a basin. Then it’s roasted.
    d.  A branch of hyssop is dipped into the blood and used to strike the lintels and side posts of the door.
    e.  When the angel of death passed by and found no blood, the firstborn would die.
    f.  God was not only allowing sin to be judged, but whosoever refused to do this was refusing God’s plan of salvation.
    g.  Someone had to die – either the firstborn, or the lamb.
    h.  There had to be the shedding of blood.
    i.  The wages of sin is death – without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.
  3.  Deliverance – Salvation and Healing.
    a.  As they ate the lamb, they had to be packed, dressed and ready to leave.
    b.  Imagine 300,000 lambs barbecuing at one time. The Egyptians must have known something was up.
    c.  The Israelites did all this by faith – inspected the lamb, killed it, sprinkled the blood, roasted it, and dressed to travel – all at the Word of the Lord, through Moses.
    d.  When God said to Pharaoh, “Let My people go,” He was saying, “If you touch them, you touch Me.”
    e.  They are the apple of My eye.
    f.  Covenant talk for covenant people.
    g.  He saved and healed them all.
    h.  Psalm 105:37 KJV – “He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.”
  4.  Supernatural Provision.
    a.  While they wandered in the wilderness, God supernaturally provided for His covenant children.
    b.  Supernatural deliverance at the Red Sea.
    c.  Pillar of cloud by day.
    d.  Pillar of fire by night.
    e.  Manna from heaven.
    f.  Quail from heaven.
    g.  Water from the rock.
    h.  Deuteronomy 8:4 AMPC – “Your clothing did not become old upon you nor did your feet swell these forty years.”
  5.  Born to Die.
    a.  They didn’t leave Egypt until: 1) The lamb was in them; 2) the blood was on them, 3) the Glory cloud was over them.
    b.  After this, every year, at the same time, they would prepare and partake of the Passover – the memorial covenant meal.
    c.  The priests and high priests began to breed lambs for the sacrifices.
    d.  Jesus – the Lamb of God – was born, and raised, to die.
    e.  When the shepherds heard about Jesus from the angels, they were watching their flocks. Lambs being prepared for Passover.
    f.  For twenty-nine years nothing was heard about Jesus.
    g.  At the age of thirty, Jesus’ ministry came under public scrutiny for three years.
    h.  John 1:29 KJV – “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
    i.  John 1:36 KJV – “And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!”
    j.  At the age of 33, He set His face, like flint, to go to Jerusalem (Isaiah 50:7).
    k.  On the 9th day of Nissan, the Lamb of God makes His triumphal entry, even as thousands of lambs come through the sheep gate.
  6.  Passover Feast.
    a.  Three days before He went to the Cross, Jesus celebrates the Feast of Unleavened Bread (seven days) and the Passover with His disciples.
    b.  He followed the pattern laid out by Moses, but on this day He was adding substance to what was, previously, types and shadows.
    c.  On the table was a bag with bread in three pouches, which to the Jews represented Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Or, to us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
    d.  He took out the center loaf.
    e.  Take, eat, this is My body broken for you.
    f.  There were four cups – three right-side up and one face down – Messiah’s cup – the cup of redemption.
    g.  Drink this cup, it is the New Covenant in My blood.
    h.  In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experienced the agony of facing the Cross and being offered up as a sacrifice for sin.
  7.  Passover Lamb.
    a.  Isaiah 53:1-7
    b.  The lambs were scrutinized for three days.
    c.  As the lambs are inspected for blemishes, Jesus is inspected (questioned) by the priests and High Priest.
    d.  Pontius Pilate said three times, “I find no fault in this man.”
    e.  The High Priest gave the command for Him to be crucified.
    f.  As they nailed Him to the cross, they sharpened their knives for the animal sacrifice.
    g.  He died, even as the lambs were being sacrificed.
    h.  As He died, He cried, “It is finished!”
    i.  The veil covering the Holy of Holies split in two from the top to the bottom.
    j.  The Old Covenant ended – the New Covenant began – an everlasting covenant established in the blood of Jesus.

TO LIVE IS CHRIST – TO DIE IS GAIN

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 AMP

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 Because we know that Christ (the Anointed one), being once raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him. Romans 6:8-9 AMP

I have been crucified with Christ. I was in Jesus when He died on the cross. I was in Jesus when He was raised from the dead. Death no longer has any power over me. The moment my faith connects with His promise, this becomes my reality. I am transformed from the inside out – a new creature in Christ. My life is not governed merely by external regulations, but it is led, guided and prompted by the Holy Spirit. I don’t live a life dictated and controlled by the flesh. I no longer fear the wrath of God. I live a life of absolute faith and implicit trust with one goal – to please Him and only Him.

I am not perfect yet – I am a work in progress. However, the more I come to know Him; the more I come into a revelation of His word, His character, and His plan for me – the more I realize how awesome He is, the more I fall in love with Him, and the more I commit my life into His hands. I no longer live just for me, I live for Him and He lives big on the inside of me. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live here in the flesh, on the earth, I live by faith in my precious Lord and Savior, Who loved me so much He gave me His all – He gave Himself up for me.

For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity]. 22 If, however, it is to be life in the flesh and I am to live on here, that means fruitful service for me; so I can say nothing as to my personal preference [I cannot choose], 23 But I am hard pressed between the two. My yearning desire is to depart (to be free of this world, to set forth) and be with Christ, for that is far, far better; 24 But to remain in my body is more needful and essential for your sake. 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and stay by you all, to promote your progress and joy in believing, 26 So that in me you may have abundant cause for exultation and glorying in Christ Jesus, through my coming to you again. Philippians 1:21-26 AMP

I am in love with Jesus. I have a revelation of what it means to have everlasting life. I will never die, but I will live eternally in God’s presence. I have eternal life right now. If my body dies, I (my spirit) will live on with Him forever. I already died the death of the cross the day I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. That old man is dead. That old sin nature is dead. No one can ever steal from me my resurrection life, purchased with the precious blood of the Lamb. I have glimpsed eternity and I am no longer afraid of death. Because I have crucified my flesh and counted the things of earth as dung, it makes no difference to me if I live here or if I live in heaven. My heart’s desire is rather to be in His glorious presence, but while I still live here on earth, there is work to be done. It is better for those who need Jesus that I remain and labor in the harvest field. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Either way I win!

None of us lives to himself [but to the Lord], and none of us dies to himself [but to the Lord, for] 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For Christ died and lived again for this very purpose, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Romans 14:7-9 AMP

Whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord. We don’t live for ourselves alone – we are accountable to Him. Whether we live or die, we will always belong to Him. We no longer live to and for ourselves, but to and for Him, Who died and was raised again for our sake.

For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] one died for all, then all died; 15 And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 AMP