GOODNEWS LETTER
Number 354 January 12, 2011
DINING WITH GOD
(At the Passover, the Lord's Supper & in the Kingdom)
"...I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day
when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom," Matthew 26:29.
Good company and good food makes for great fellowship. With the presence of God, always interested in His people's diet, offers the glorious 'dining times' for those who are hungry for His word. Spiritual fellowship is all about man getting together with His Creator; whether it's now or in the Kingdom. Nothing compares with the saints join in on God's prescribed feasts; whether, it's now or in the kingdom.
There was some 'Dining time' before the Passover Supper was instituted; but now, there was form to the feast. The feast brought sin to the forefront by the death of an innocent animal; yet, at the same time, we understand that people enjoyed a time of rest, as well. And, further, The Passover meant that Israel would have another year of God walking among His people. Limited, but fellowship, nonetheless.
The Passover began at evening of the fourteenth day during the first month on the Jewish calendar. Then the fifteenth day, "...there is a feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord" (Lev. 23:6). The Almighty was instituting a feast that He would be involved with and, one that would save His people, at the same time. As with the doctrine of grace, no work was allowed. "On the first day...you shall not do any laborious work," Leviticus 23:8.
As we look back to the Passover Feast, we see no mystery. Clearly, God allowed His people to leave the bondage of Egypt based upon the shed blood of the Passover lamb. Yearly, thereafer, Israel would remember the historical date. The Lamb surrounded the entire feast of fellowship. Thus, from the very beginning, God required blood to be shed in order to fellowship His people. When we come to the New Covenant, we read the same teaching - "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission," Hebrews 10:22.
While, fellowship was established and God entered into the Jew's camp, the Passover Feast was but a type. Actual fellowship would not appear until sin was removed. This is the meaning of Remission. It sets free; allows to leave; and, puts behind man's sin. The TYPE would end when Jesus went to the cross and initiate a face to face joining of God and man. Nevertheless, it still was the delight of God to bring His people to His table of mercy. "The Lord is compassionate and gracious" (Ps 103:8).
Believers of the New Covenant have the efficacious blood of God's Son that actually remit their sins. Since the type has been fulfilled by the Son of God, the Father performs His "righteous deeds" (Ps 103:6) and removed our sins. How far? "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us," Psalm 103:12.
The joy of God, the Father, is to surround Himself with His children. That's every father's joy. And, entering into the Father's fellowship, (Mt 5:8), not only are our sins are remitted - "gone and put behind" - we are also informed in Luke 12:37 that Jesus shall gird Himself to serve us, "...and have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them." In the Kingdom, man and God will fellowship face to face. For now, our spirits rejoice to see how much God loved us; as recorded Luke.
The "THEM" in the book of Luke, refers to those who are dressed in readiness and their lamps alight at the time Jesus returns. He likens "them" to be "...men who are waiting for their master when He returns from the wedding feast." Having ears hear the kingdom message (Mt 13), these run to the door at the first rap and quickly open it.
We understand that happy times shall abound in the kingdom. However, even today, the Lord's Supper sprouts joy to our hearts. After Jesus ate with His disciples, a sang was sung. It was a joyous song; something like, "Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus," perhaps. Today, as we await His return, it's a happy and joyous time. We sing praises today; but then, anytime God is in man's life, fellowhip will always cause a song to be in the happy heart.