From the Desk of Jeff King

Behold the Lamb

On the Biblical calendar, today is the anniversary of Yeshua's triumphal entry into Jerusalem aboard a donkey. He arrived on 10 Nisan, five days before the start of Passover. Over the next four days the sacrificial lambs, including Yeshua, would be examined for defects or blemishes, conditions that would disqualify them as offerings. No fault was found in Yeshua among the Pharisees and Roman governor Pilate, although He was falsely charged with blasphemy in a kangaroo court.

Yeshua was crucified on 14 Nisan by Temple guards – not Romans – while the Passover lambs were slaughtered in Jerusalem. After sacrificing the last animal the high priest would walk into the court and declare with outstretched arms, "It is finished!" Yeshua's last words, with arms outstretched on the tree, were "It is finished!" God's great plan of redemption was complete. Messiah arose three days later on 17 Nisan, a Saturday. Because these dates change year to year on the Gregorian calendar, resurrection day in 2008 falls on Tuesday, April 22. Most Christians observed Messiah's death and resurrection three weeks ago on Easter, a violation of God's appointed times. Most Easter customs – sunrise services, bunnies, colored eggs, Easter lilies and hot cross buns – are rooted in paganism. Easter is the name of a fertility goddess.

In preparation for the first Passover in Egypt, Moses commanded Israelites on this day – 10 Nisan – to take an unblemished male lamb into their home for four days. The lamb would be slaughtered on 14 Nisan and its blood applied to doorposts, marking the home so the death angel would "pass over" the family and spare its first born. The four days gave family members time to grow attached to the animal and impress upon them the costly nature of the sacrifice – innocent blood shed for them.

Jews in Jerusalem had four days to grow attached to Yeshua after He entered the city on 10 Nisan. Although the corrupt priests were intent on killing Him, the Lamb of God won the affection of many. A great multitude lined the road with tallits and palm branches to greet Messiah. Children shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David!" – a Messianic name – after Yeshua drove out money changers from the Temple. Hosanna means "please save" or "save now." To avoid an uprising of the people, the religious leaders held Yeshua's trial, or "inspection," illegally at night. But the priests were unwitting pawns in a battle for men's souls. God had planned this Passover sacrifice before time began, leaking the information to Abraham in Genesis 22:8, "God will provide Himself a lamb." Another translation from the original Hebrew renders this verse, "God will provide Himself AS the Lamb." By receiving Yeshua and applying His blood to the doorpost of our heart we are spared spiritual death and eternal separation from Him.