Bo (come)
Exodus 10:1 - 13:16

This week’s Torah portion is one of the most famous narratives in the entire Bible. It is the narrative of the redemption of the Jewish people out of the land of Egypt - the Passover. It is a defining moment in the relationship between God and the children of Israel . Throughout the Word of God, this event is recalled over and over again, especially when the Jewish people are being reminded of how gracious God has been to them. We read of the importance of the Passover in the New Testament as well as the Old Testament. In the Brit Chadashah, New Covenant, Yeshua identifies himself with the Passover lamb. In addition, Paul reminds the believers in Corinth , that Messiah is our Passover in order that they would repent of their sins and turn to God. What is the significance of identifying Messiah with the Passover?

The substitution of the lamb for the first born served as a picture of the redemption of Israel , the first born of God. Israel was freed from Egyptian bondage in order to serve God. It was as a result of leaving Egypt that the people were able to receive the Torah at Mt. Sinai . Yeshua, the Passover lamb of God, serves as a substitution for us. As a result of His death and subsequent resurrection, mankind is freed from the spiritual bondage to sin. Without the redemption found only in Yeshua, man is unable to be free to serve God. Although the sacrificial death of Yeshua is for all of mankind, it is only those who believe - those who receive this gift in their heart, who can appropriate this freedom to their own lives. Believers in Yeshua are free to serve God. He has given us his Ruach HaKodesh, Holy Spirit, to be able to live out the Torah in our lives.

The definition of "freedom" as found in the Merrian Webster dictionary is liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another. But is anyone ever really free? Are we ever released from the power of responsibility? Many people today would love to be released from whatever constrains them. When we say that we are "free from the bondage of sin", it means that we are freed from the tyranny of sin in our lives. True freedom is the ability to live in the way we were created to exist. We are free to enter into the rest that only God can provide. Notice in Ex. 6:7 we read, "I will take you for My people, and I will be your God". In messiah we are free to know God in a whole new way.

If you are burdened and cannot seem to find the peace which you so dearly desire, heed the words of Yeshua when He said, Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.

Shabbat Shalom!