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by Terry Magness For the last several days our street market has hummed with friendly but purposeful bartering and shouting over the chorus of bleating Pascal lambs for sale. The air is filled with the inviting smell of freshly baked unleavened bread and wine dipped from clay pots. Jews, both near and far, are preparing for our yearly Passover (Pesach) week, often called the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Today the streets are quiet as God’s people keep the Passover as God commanded, in remembrance of that dreadful night before we left Egypt. We were to kill a lamb and to smear its blood on the doorframe of our houses, then eat the entire lamb. That night the Death angel came to kill the first-born son in each home, but when he saw the blood, he passed by. Never in the dark of night had there ever been heard such wailing and screams of horror as throughout the city men and women discovered their first-born sons were dead. Pharaoh as well felt the stabbing sting of death that night in his first-born son. Yet every home covered by the blood of the lamb was spared. The next morning, Pharaoh reversed his decision to refuse the Israelites passage and instead, released the Jews who had been his slaves, and allowed them to follow Moses out of Egypt and ultimately into God’s promised land.  Jews to this day keep the Passover. Every April, the first month of the Jewish calendar, on the tenth day, they take a spotless male yearling lamb and on the fourteenth day kill it at twilight. Little did we suspect that God had Himself prepared a Pascal Lamb for this hour in history--His only Son, Jesus, our yet unrecognized Messiah. Tonight, Jesus and His twelve disciples are keeping the Passover in an upper room. Christians refer to this as The Last Supper. Indeed, this is our Lord’s last meal. Though Jesus has shared much insight with His disciples, they understand little. Hadn’t Jesus said, “The Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified”? (Matthew 26:2) Has not He told the Jews, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:54 NKJV) Three times He has given details of His death, and on at least one occasion, said He would rise from the dead on the third day. Though Jesus is the Passover “Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world,” (Rev 13:8 NKJV) no one, it seems, has put the pieces together. To be honest, neither did I…until some days later. Now as they recline at the table, Jesus blesses the unleavened bread, the symbol of sinlessness. He breaks it and gives to His disciples saying, “Take, eat. This is my body. Then He takes the cup, gives thanks, and says, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My Blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission (forgiveness) of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28 NKJV) “Do this in remembrance of me.” (I Corinthians 11:24 NKJV) Thus, Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper during the Passover Seder, but its significance is yet unknown. After dinner Jesus takes His disciples to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. After a long day and a satisfying meal, His men fall asleep, so Jesus travails alone through the night in prayer, fully aware that He, The Sacrificial Lamb of God, would soon suffer and die for the sins of wicked humanity at the hands of His creation. The drama is just about to unfold. A mob of sword and club carrying religious fanatics led by one betrayer, Judas Iscariot, formerly of the twelve, takes hold of Jesus; His disciples flee in fear. He is taken to Caiaphas the high priest and the Sanhedrin. They hold a shameful mock trial, looking for legitimate fault in Him but finding none, so they seek false testimony against Him. Though many come forward, none help their cause. Then Jesus opens His mouth and says, “You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power.” They scream, “Blasphemy!” and seek to put Him to death. Groundlessly, Jesus is arrested, bound, and led away to the governor, Pontius Pilate--a weak man who is subject to whatever will keep him in good stead. He has Jesus scourged. When this does not satisfy the crowd, he eventually caves to their demands to crucify Jesus, who is maliciously abused, mocked, tortured, and forced to carry His cross through the streets and a jeering crowd. An insurrectionist is freed, and Jesus is nailed onto a cross that morning instead—between two thieves. After indescribable hours of suffering, He dies, while an eerie darkness covers the earth. They pierce His side, and blood and water gushes from a broken heart. Joseph of Arimathea, member of the Council, and Nicodemus, a priest, who for fear had followed Jesus from afar, see to it He has a proper burial, while those men closest to him hide behind closed doors in fear—and the women watch from a distance. His body, wrapped in spices, is hastily placed in a borrowed tomb, then sealed with a large stone. Three days later, an earthquake shakes the ground; an angel, brilliant like lightening, rolls away the stone; and Jesus arises and walks from the tomb! His disciples and the women, as well as hundreds of others see Him during the forty days before He imparts His Holy Spirit and ascends into heaven. “Oh death, where is thy sting? Oh grave, where is thy victory!” (1 Corinthians 15:55 KJV) Everything in me wants to shout to the heavens, “He is alive! And because He lives, those who dwell in the shelter of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1), covered by the blood of the Lamb are now freed from the penalty of sin, hell, and the grave. Let us Celebrate His glorious Resurrection Day--Hallelujah! Give glory, honor, and praise to The Living Pesach Lamb of God who reigns forever and ever! Hallelujah!  Now an ordained AG minister, Terry Magness was once a broken, wounded, angry, and abuse-hardened woman, until God’s redeeming love confronted, delivered, healed, and transformed her life. In 1995, Terry founded Grace Harbour Ministries, a not-for-profit, Biblically based teaching, prayer, and discipleship ministry to women. Through Biblical counseling, coaching, and mentoring, she helps soul-wounded women come to know God in a personal way, conquer sin, overcome life challenges, and live Spirit-empowered lives. Throughout her global ministry she has witnessed God’s captive-freeing power at work. Terry has authored two books--Ever Increasing Grace and Azadiah Reynolds: God’s Jamaica Man—and three booklets in her Pocket Scriptures series. She enjoys people, writing, photography, art, nature, and relaxing on the water while fishing with her quick-witted husband, Don, who keeps her laughing. Their amazing children and three priceless granddaughters remind them to be ever thankful for God’s blessings.
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by Pam Morton After a long drive from Missouri, we made it back to Michigan where cool temps and hot cider awaited us. I was cleaning out my purse from a pile of receipts and came across an envelope I had received while visiting a church. We were visiting a larger group there and had finished speaking when a distinguished man in his fifties approached us. He smiled and said, "This isn't much, but use it for your work." I thanked him and put the envelope in my purse. As I was now sorting through the items, I came across the envelope and opened it. Inside were 2 quarters, 3 dimes, 2 nickels and 7 pennies. Yes, you added correctly...exactly 97 cents. At first I thought, "What gives?" Then I thought, "Is this a joke?" Finally, I thought, "What if he gave all he had?"
I'm grateful that God doesn't scoff at me and say, "Is that all you've got?!" But rather He's the One Who can call something out of nothing and take humble efforts, making them meaningful for His purposes. So, whether in vastly sums or meager offerings, I offer to Jesus my life daily with what I have. So, if you find yourself with 2 nickels worth of life in you, take a deep breath. It’s okay. Jesus sees you and can make much out of little. Together, it all adds up for His Kingdom.  Pam, her husband, John, and two teenaged daughters packed up their fulfilling, understood Midwestern lives and moved to Cairo, Egypt in 2008. Her dream of serving overseas became a shocking reality of daily cultural encounters that often left her wondering if she’d actually landed on Mars instead! From Cairo to Khartoum to Upper Egypt to Israel, Pam learned, lived, and thrived in a sandy, sweaty, hospitable land. Pam and John's new assignment provides support to MKs and their families through TCK International Academy and parent mentoring. Pam loves to connect with her church family to encourage, laugh and inspire. (www.johnandpammorton.com). Pam and John have two married daughters and are smitten with their three granddaughters.
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