We are taking a one week break from the ONE: Unity in Christ series to turn our attention upon the defining story for the Israelites, the Passover and Exodus from Egypt. We will return to the ONE series on September 13th. In regards to the Israelites, they were a chosen people that began as a family. The family grew over a period of generations until they eventually became so large that they were known as the twelve tribes of Israel. During a season of a famine, the families moved to Egypt. “Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt” who decided to enslave the Israelites, who were also known as the “Hebrews” (Exodus 1:8 NLT). After suffering for generations under the ruthless demands of the Egyptians and their pharaoh’s, the prayers of the Hebrew people were answered by God when he chose Moses to lead his chosen people out of slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land.

 

When the day of Passover had arrived, death came upon the first born sons throughout Egypt including the Pharaoh’s son and livestock, but the Israelites were unharmed because of the blood of their Passover lambs that were upon the doorposts of their homes. The Lord told Moses to let the Israelites know that “the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt” (Exodus 12:13 NRSV).

 

All the Israelites did just as the Lord had commanded. On the day of Passover, the Lord freed the Israelites from the Egyptians. During that time, God revealed through Moses, “This annual ‘Celebration with Unleavened Bread’ will cause you always to remember today as the day when I brought you out of the land of Egypt…you must celebrate this day annually, generation after generation” (Exodus 12:17 Living Bible).

 

For more than a thousand years before Jesus was born, the Israelites passed along the celebration of the Passover meal from one generation to the next. And for nearly 2,000 years since Jesus’ ascension, the Jewish people have continued to celebrate the Passover. The annual celebration helps them to “remember” what God did so that their identity as a people claimed by God and set free from slavery continues to be part of who they are and how they know God and themselves. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why Jesus told his disciples to eat the bread and drink the cup of wine in remembrance of him on the night of the Last Supper when they shared in the Celebration of Unleavened Bread. As we receive Holy Communion, we remember Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Whenever we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we remember who we are as the children of God united in the ONE body of Jesus known as the Church. Christ’s story, the story of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, is our defining story as Christians (John 1:29).

 

For a full version of this Your Faith Journey devotional download the Worship Guide from the Avon UMC website: www.AvonUMC.com

 

The Your Faith Journey Bible verses for this week are listed below:

 

Sunday (9/6)

Today I am going to offer God _______________________________________________.

 

During the worship service God revealed __________________________________________________________________________.

 

This week memorize Exodus 3:12 (NIV):

 

God told Moses, “…this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

 

Monday (9/7)

Read Exodus 1 and pray in response to the verses.

 

Tuesday (9/8)

Read Exodus 2 and pray for God to reveal a word, phrase, or verse that is for you for today.

 

Wednesday (9/9)

Read Exodus 3:1-10 and pray in response to what you read.

 

Thursday (9/10)

Read Exodus 5:23-6:10 and pray for God to reveal a word, phrase, or verse that is for you for today.

 

Friday (9/11)

Read Exodus 12:1-17 and pray in response to what you read.

 

We will return to the ONE: Unity in Christ series this weekend with sermon #4 on September 13th. You are encouraged to watch the series video episode #4 on YouTube before your group session this weekend, or next week, using the link below. If you are not part of a small group, consider watching the video and discussing it with your spouse, family member(s), or friend(s).

 

Woodlawn:

ONE episode #4 – “Your Identity”

 

Saturday (9/12)

Read Exodus 12:29-42 and pray for God to reveal a word, phrase, or verse that is for you for today.

 

Consider resting and enjoying recreation today as a way to experience the goodness of God and the restoration provided by observing the sabbath.

 

*To download the entire Worship Guide, which includes the extended version of the Your Faith Journey Guide, go to www.AvonUMC.com.