No Broken Bones

GodWords Newsletter #95

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For those wondering about my recent disappearance, please accept my apologies for missing two newsletters. On one Friday I was traveling for business, and on the other I was sick… trying to clear the fog while making websites and adjusting to my new role as Church Administrator was simply too much. Thank you for your patience!

After 430 years, the Israelites were finally leaving Egypt. They had traveled from Rameses to Sukkoth, all 600,000 men, plus the women and children. They were on their way to the land that God had promised for the children of Abraham. We learn this in Exodus 12:

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “These are the regulations for the Passover meal:

“No foreigner may eat it. Any slave you have bought may eat it after you have circumcised him, but a temporary resident or a hired worker may not eat it.

“It must be eaten inside the house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones. The whole community of Israel must celebrate it.

The Passover meal was a pretty big deal. It marked the most significant event in Israel’s history: when God freed them from slavery and brought them to the land He had promised to the children of Abraham. We learn more about it in Numbers 9:

They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations.

When you eat the Passover meal, do not break any of the lamb’s bones. This might have seemed like a strange thing for God to command. What difference could that possibly make?

For the Israelites, after hundreds and hundreds of Passover meals, it would make a huge difference. It would show them - those who were willing to see - that being freed from human bondage was also a symbol of being freed from spiritual bondage… that they would finally see the fulfillment of the prophecies about a new covenant, and that the long-awaited Messiah had finally come. Let’s see what they saw, found in John 19:

Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

John the Baptist called Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” This Lamb would free them from slavery to sin and open the way to the true Promised Land, where we can all dwell in the presence of God forever.

Easter isn’t only about Jesus’ death and resurrection. That’s a historic event. It’s also about our redemption, when Jesus died in our place. It’s about being free, and not fearing death. It’s about the fulfillment of every promise God ever made.

God is good. Take Him up on His offer of forgiveness, freedom, peace, and eternal life.

I love you all.
❤️

Paul and Women: The Egalitarian Readings Part 3
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate articles like this… where someone takes seriously the idea that both sides of an in-house debate take Scripture seriously, and that both sides may have good reasons for believing as they do. Highly recommended.

Carrying Something You Shouldn't? How To Finally Let It Go
Kate’s devotionals are typically very practical, and always point us back to God’s Word.

Were David and Jonathan Homosexuals?
“Those who cannot conceive of Friendship as a substantive love but only as a disguise or elaboration of Eros betray the fact that they have never had a friend…” (C.S. Lewis)

Doing Things God's Way or My Way?
Vance Gatlin makes plans… lots of plans. What happens when God wants to change his plans?

GodWords: Did Jesus Ever Get Sick?
An interesting question… and no really good answer.

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Nothing can happen to me that God doesn't want. And all that He wants, no matter how bad it may appear to us, is really for the best.
- Thomas More

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He Still Moves Stones: Brian Barrett

Brian only made two albums. I have both, and they’re both very, very good. His first album included memorable songs like The Cross Road and No One Knows My Heart, while his second album had this song, Write it on My Heart, and more. Highly recommended.

Lyrics and links at Awesome Christian Music.

He still moves stones
He still forgives
Still walks on water
Jesus really lives
When all around you is darkness
And you feel so all alone
Oh, don't you ever give up hope
He still moves stones

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