Tag: hope

Passover Meditation #6

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn InspirationLeave a comment

After the blessing to sanctify the day of Passover at the beginning of the Seder, we do the first of two hand-washings, וּרְחַץ/urchatz; which in Aramaic means to lean into or to trust.

We see in the sanctification of the day our holiness In the midst of the holy day: and with the וּרְחַץ/urchatz, we ask ourselves, what have we been trusting in this past year, and what will we trust in during the year to come?

At this point in the Seder we recognize that we are washing, and therefore being cleansed, as וּרְחַץ/urchatz in Hebrew means to wash. However, we do not yet know how to be a blessing with our hands.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה הָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדַיִם

“Blessed are you, O Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us through your commandments and has commanded us concerning the washing of hands.”

Later, just before the elements are taken from the Seder plate, we wash again, this time with the regular blessing for hand-washing. Why?

Having heard the story of the exodus, we have now learned how to be a blessing with our hands. We will now lift them freely to serve the Lord, and the human community; because we have trusted in, leaned on, the Lamb Who cleanses us. On the evening of Passover, Yeshua said:

“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you” (Jn. 15:3).

Now wash knowing that you have been washed, and prepared to serve those around you with His blessing.

Be well. Shalom.

The Long and Winding Road

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn InspirationLeave a comment

When driving at night, with only our small headlights, it’s hard to see why a road is winding. Why can’t the roadway be straight?

It is only during the day, when we see with the sunlight, that we begin to understand the winding roadway which we have traversed. The hills, streams, and massive boulders avoided.

As Yeshua taught, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”

In Psalm 23:3 David writes:

יַנְחֵנִי בְמַעְגְּלֵי-צֶדֶק, לְמַעַן שְׁמוֹ

“He leads me along circuitous paths of righteousness for His names sake.”

The Hebrew translated as paths, מַעְגָּל/ma’gal, does not convey a straight or easy way, as it implies a rut where a wheel turns; rather it is rooted in a word meaning circular.

The way the Lord brings us in life is not always the direct or straight way. What? Doesn’t it say that He leads us in paths righteousness? It does.

The way He leads us is often circuitous, indirect, not the short way. As we travel along the way, with the light and perspective available to us, it is difficult, if not impossible, for us to see what He is leading us to avoid.

It is only in His glorious light, when we see apart from the perspective of need or want, that the circuitous way of our lives come into focus.

Yet, even though He leads us indirectly to our destination, along the way He has made, He makes the way straight, righteous, correct, according to His plan, His purpose, and under His control.

He will not leave us to wander, or as orphans stumbling in the darkness, He blesses us with the light and direction of His Son, the Good Shepherd, by the in-dwelling of presence of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16).

Now, walk in that assurance.

Be well. Shalom.

Passover Meditation #2

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn InspirationLeave a comment

In the hours of a Passover Seder, the subtly of its message can get lost in the ache of sitting, mental boredom, or translation itself.

Yet, during the Passover Seder you will note a series of fours: children, questions, cups, and stages of redemption. Why?

While all of these elements are intertwined as one story, one lesson stands out, that of redemption. In the Hebrew text of Exodus 6:6-7, a prominent Passover text, we find four verbs to describe redemption. As we read:

“Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”

He will, 1) “bring you out … 2) save you … 3) redeem you … 4) take you …”

We note from this that deliverance is in stages; or we can understand it as a process. Yes, in messianic faith we understand the fullness of salvation to be a now, but not yet. Still, there is something more at work that gives encouragement.

First, the Lord delivers His people from oppressive bondage to sin and shame. Second, He releases us from subjection to the kingdom of darkness. Third, He redeems from the midst of destruction. Fourth, He takes us to Himself.

What do we learn from this?

Paul encourages us, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13).

Wrongly applied, “fear and trembling” seems to imply that salvation can be lost, especially if we do not work at it. Not very encouraging, and this is not at all what Paul has in mind.

Fear and trembling describes the reverent humility of one saved, not by their own effort or moral goodness, but by the unmerited action (Eph. 2:8-9) of God in fulfilling His promises to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:13-14) by the promised lamb (Gen. 22:8).

Not in our own strength do we reach the goal (Ro. 10:4), but in the working of God’s will as it works in us according to His pleasure.

Recognize that we, as His people, are growing, not all at once, as that would be unhealthy, but gradually. While our souls are safely renewed in Yeshua/Jesus, we continue to mature in faith as He leads us out of our personal and corporate Egypt.

Let’s recognize the stages, given by the Lord, submit to His leading along the way, and rejoice in both the great and small victories in Him that manifest in our lives.

That is the message of these four verbs, and how we can deepen our understanding of them for today.

Be well. Shalom.