Jesus, the Jubilee, and Prozbul: Understanding the Financial World of the New Testament and Why the Savior Clashed with the Pharisees

This post examines why Jesus often disagreed with the Pharisees - specifically on financial issues, such as debt forgiveness. Here we discover the Prozbul clause which was one of the main points of contention between the Savior and the religious leaders of the day. This clause defied biblical law about the the seventh year and Jubilee cycle and undermined God's social welfare programs. It completely altered the financial workings of the New Testament world, making it easy for the rich to prey on the poor. Learning about this clause will help us to understand the context of the Messiah's words throughout the Gospels. 

In Jesus's first sermon, recorded in Luke 4:16-20, he quoted Isaiah 61 announcing the Jubilee year. While Christians today read that as an innocuous declaration of how great things are with the Messiah on the scene, many of the religious leaders and powerful financiers of that time found that reference to be offensive and even threatening.

If you read through the Gospels, it doesn't take long to see that the Jesus and the Pharisees didn't see eye to eye and often clashed on issues of the day. But it's not always clear to us why that was. A lot of people believe that Jesus was more about the 'spirit' of things and religious leaders were often obsessed with the 'letter of the law,' but there's more to these standoffs than the Savior thinking these guys were annoyingly focused on small details.

Something to keep in mind about the Pharisee movement at the time of the Gospels was that it had been strongly influenced by a man named Hillel. Also known as Hillel the Elder, he is remembered for playing a leading part in developing and recording the Mishnah and Talmud - two books on Jewish oral law and tradition. While these writings offer invaluable historic and cultural insight, it's important to recognize that these are considered different than Scripture. Hillel lived until the year 10CE, so his teachings and ideas were very much still present and influential in the days of the Messiah.

Hillel's most famous influential act was his endorsement of what is known as the Prozbul clause. 

What that clause did was create loans that were not eligible for forgiveness during the Jubilee, or Shmita years - something that is in direct contrast to biblical law. Deuteronomy 15:1 tells us that every seventh year we must cancel the debts of anyone that owes us money. (Jesus's prayer "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors," was not a parable.) The Prozbul clause disregarded this law, making debts lifelong and making it nearly impossible for anyone in debt to get free of that.

The Prozbul clause was an absolute economic bombshell in the New Testament world! It touched every aspect of life. It made the poor poorer and created substantial opportunities for the well-off to exploit those of lesser means. Most of us are familiar with the burden of debts that follow you throughout your life. Imagine going from a world where every seven years those debts were erased to suddenly being weighed down with them - in many cases by religious leaders. It also created a precedent for setting aside God's laws in favor of what men decide is more expedient.

There are many arguments made that the Prozbul clause was not created to stoke greed and let the wealthy gain more control of regular people, but rather it was intended to ensure that the poor would always find a willing lender to provide them with lifesaving loans so they could buy food for their families. The logic being that lenders would not be incentivized to give money if they didn't think it would be repaid before the seventh year. It could very well be that Hillel was well-intended when he made this clause, but of course this suggests that lenders were acting in ways that directly contradict Scriptures such as Leviticus 25:37 that says no one should lend money to the poor at interest or sell them food at a profit. 

Jesus comments on this issue directly in Luke 6:35 when he says to lend without expecting to repaid. His words are literally the opposite of Hillel's Prozbul clause. 

Note that this idea was not new to Jesus, and that the forgiveness of debts is at the core of biblical law. Scripture is filled with protections for the poor and those in debt...protections that benefited not just individual debtors but the economic and spiritual health of society. One of the main criticisms of kings of Israel and Judah had to do with them letting oligarchies control the land, and we see Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and Micah denounce kings for refusing to protect the poor from creditors. Jeremiah and Ezekiel in particular were major advocates of debt forgiveness, because they recognized forfeitures of land and personal liberty were violations of the Jubilee covenant that YHWH created.

The New Testament world was filled with men ignoring and breaking that covenant. Unethical money lenders were entrapping the people in debt, in direct opposition to God's directives. This was offensive to the Savior who placed so much importance on the Passover story and remembering how God redeemed his people from bondage. Of course he would have been angry with religious leaders for working to ensnare his people in debt! 

When we realize much of the Old Testament has to do with the conflict between debtors and creditors, it only makes sense that this issue would continue to come up in the Messiah's day. This is why Jesus was angry with the money lenders in the Temple, why he encouraged people to sell their possessions and give to the poor, why he told parables about debt relief (Matthew 18:21), why he believed it was hard for a rich man to enter God's kingdom (Matthew 19:23), why he was against wage labor (Matthew 20), and why he did not believe YHWH and money could be served simultaneously. 

This means the Savior didn't think the Pharisees were too focused on God's laws - he was angry that they disregarded them. Understanding the Prozbul clause is a key to seeing the words of Jesus as he truly meant them.

Related posts:
How Did John the Baptist Prepare the Way for Jesus?
What Jesus Meant by the Poor Will Always Be With You
What the Laws and Rulings of Ezekiel 25 Mean

How Did John the Baptist Prepare the Way for Jesus? Three Moral Directives from John the Baptist (Luke 3)

John the Baptist is famously known as the one who prepared the way for the Savior. We know from Scripture that he was just six months or so older than his cousin Jesus. And because he prepared the way, he is often quickly brushed aside, but his words and actions laid the groundwork for the Messiah's good news. Because of John's work, people were better able to understand and receive Jesus later on. I think we should examine what he had to say and what advice of his the Bible records!

How exactly did he prepare the way for Jesus? I don't think it was just about him announcing that someone greater was coming, though that's an obvious example. I think he began speaking of the things that were near to the heart of the Savior's message. 

Have you thought about that before? John the Baptist's message fit with the message of Jesus. And not just because he said the kingdom of heaven was at hand. For those who heard John's words, his message prepared them to better receive and understand the words of the Messiah.

What was the message of John the Baptist?

Take a look at this passage from Luke 3:

"What should we do?" asked the crowds.

"Anyone who has two cloaks," replied John, "should give one to someone who hasn't got one. The same applies to anyone who has plenty of food."

Some toll-collectors came to be baptized. "Teacher," they said, "what should we do?"

"Don't collect more than what is laid down," he replied.

Some soldiers, too, asked John, "What about us? What should we do?"

"No extortion," replied John, "and no blackmail. Be content with your wages."

-Luke 3:10-14

Stop hoarding things. Share what you have. Don't take more than you're entitled to, or more than what's reasonable. Don't extort anyone. Be content with what you have.

These things prepare the way for the kingdom of Heaven.

It's interesting that he directs different instructions at different groups. When he tells the tax collectors that they shouldn't collect more money than what is required of them, he's not saying it's fine for them to use extortion or blackmail. 

This is because he's speaking about things that are generally considered acceptable by those groups. John is saying that we shouldn't let our culture or setting dictate what is morally right or wrong. That's not to say that we can't do things that are part of our workplace vernacular or culture, but he is saying we certainly shouldn't when that means we violate commandments from God. This message fits with the Messiah's.

We see the Messiah say many similar things to what John taught here.

-"Sell what you have and give to the poor." -Matthew 19:21

-"Be on guard against greed, for life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." -Luke 12:15

-"Woe to you for being full of robbery." -Matthew 23:25

-"Do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or drink, or wear." -Matthew 6:25

While our world today celebrates constant striving to accumulate more things and status, both Jesus and John the Baptist encouraged the opposite behavior. Rather than hoarding wealth, they taught sharing and giving. 

This is a core tenet of the Gospel. Having faith isn't just about going to Heaven...it should change how we live here and now. As followers of the Messiah we are called to live differently and help others. We are not called to a life of greed, and our focus shouldn't be on constantly trying to make more money or have the newest or best possessions. The Creator of the world did not give you life so that you can be controlled by greed.

How can we work to honor these instructions in our lives today?

Related posts:
Fifty Ways to Love Your Neighbor
Giving When You Don't Have the Finances
How to Pray for Our World

The Beginner's Guide to First Fruits (Celebrating the Savior's Resurrection the Biblical Way)

In this post we examine the basics of First Fruits, which is a Biblical holiday that happens shortly after Passover within another Biblical holiday, the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This is the day that Jesus rose from the grave! By learning more about this holiday we can worship the Messiah in deeper ways and celebrate his resurrection at the Scripturally appropriate time. We will talk about what this holiday means and share practical ideas for celebrating and taking part in such a joyous occasion!

What is First Fruits? 

First Fruits is one of the Biblical holidays and it happens within another Biblical holiday, the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It is a special part of Unleavened Bread. In Levitical times, it was the day when the priests presented a wave offering of the 'first fruits' of the harvest that year - barley. It's also the day that the Messiah rose from the dead and presented himself to his Father!

Where is First Fruits in the Bible?

Details on First Fruits are seen in Leviticus 23:9-14 (usually spelled Firstfruits).

What Bible verses relate to First Fruits?

Leviticus 23:9-14
Deuteronomy 26
Matthew 28
Mark 16
Luke 24
John 20
1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Biblical events have taken place on First Fruits:

-The resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. (Matthew 28)

-Israel crossed over the Red Sea after leaving Egypt in the Exodus story. (Exodus 3:18, 5:3)

-Israel ate the first fruits of the Promised Land. (Joshua 5:10-12)

-The Temple was cleansed and sacrifices were reinstated under the reign of King Hezekiah. (1 Chronicles 29:17-18)
-Queen Esther foiled the plot of Haman. (Esther 3:12, 5:1)
-Noah's ark possibly came to rest on Mount Ararat after the flood on First Fruits.

-The walk to Emmaus, where the Savior "expounded on all things concerning himself" from Scripture to a couple of his followers. (Luke 24:13-15)

Why celebrate First Fruits?

This is the day that Jesus rose from the dead! If that's not worth our attention and celebration, what is? When he rose from the dead, no one called the day Easter. First Fruits is about doing our best to worship the Messiah in ways consistent with what the Bible teaches.

Who should celebrate First Fruits?

First Fruits should be celebrated by all Bible believers. If you want to celebrate the Savior defeating the grave and coming back to life, the Biblically correct day to do so would be on the day of First Fruits. 

The Bible holidays were given to all of God's people and all Bible believers may take part in them, regardless of ethnicity, spiritual background, ancestry, etc.

How is First Fruits different than Easter?

When it comes to the idea of celebrating that the Savior is risen, the Bible holiday First Fruits is very similar to Christian intentions behind Easter. The difference is that while First Fruits is Biblical, Easter is manmade. They happen at similar times of year (sometimes the same day), but First Fruits does not involve Easter bunnies, egg hunts, or ham.

Is First Fruits the same as Unleavened Bread?

First Fruits is part of Unleavened Bread. While Unleavened Bread is weeklong holiday, First Fruits is one day during that. It happens the Sunday after the Sabbath during the week of Unleavened Bread. The stipulation of not eating leaven still applies during this time, and we still remember and celebrate the spiritual significance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. We remember how God parted the Red Sea and lead his people to freedom, but on First Fruits especially we also remember and celebrate that the Messiah is no longer in the grave and he lives!

How to observe First Fruits:

First Fruits is a joyful day! Praise God for the resurrection of Jesus and have fun! 

Gatherings are not Scripturally required, but you could certainly arrange to get together with friends or attend a service at a congregation that celebrates this.

Note that First Fruits is not considered a Sabbath day, unless it happens to fall on the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 

What should I do to celebrate First Fruits?

-Read the Gospel stories of the empty tomb! This is truly the best part of the Good News - that the Messiah lives - and there's no better time to revisit that. Read Bible passages aloud, revisit the tale in children's books and movies, or do a dramatized version.

-Gather for a festive meal, if you want. Again, this is not a requirement but you certainly can make a special meal and invite loved ones to join in. On First Fruits, the Bible says not to eat leavened bread, so make foods without leaven. I'll link to a list of unleavened recipes at the end of this post to get you inspired.

-Spread the good news. First Fruits is a wonderful day for sharing the joy and love of God with others. Send notes of Scripture and encouragement to loved ones, volunteer for a service project, gather donations to give to those in need, and challenge yourself to be extra gracious and kind to everyone you encounter this day.

-Have fun! Even though Easter egg hunts are not appropriate for First Fruits, games can still be played, treats enjoyed, and prizes given. How about making an obstacle course for kids where they have to cross the "Red Sea" and "escape from Egypt"? There are plenty of empty tomb and crucifixion related kids crafts you could make. Put together a scavenger hunt. Make and enjoy matzah toffee or a Red Sea crossing smoothie bowl. 

Related posts:
How to Celebrate First Fruits
Meal Ideas for the Feast of Unleavened Bread
Kids Crafts for Passover and First Fruits
Red Sea Crossing Smoothie Bowls

What the Messiah Said about Biblical Law

What Jesus had to say about Biblical law is an important topic for all believers to know about! What did the Living Word say about the Written Word? Did he speak against it? Did he find it impossibly antiquated and oppressive? Did Jesus fulfill the law, or do away with it? The answers to these questions will prove to be surprising to some, but first we need to see which law the Messiah is talking about in these verses.

What law does Jesus refer to?

The Messiah often spoke of the commandments of God that were given in the Old Testament. These are also referred to as Biblical law, Mosaic law, the law of Moses, book of the covenant, or Torah. The ten commandments are part of Biblical law, but not all of it. This is the law he is referencing in the Scriptures this post will cover.

When he clashed with religious leaders, it was over what Jesus called, "your law." These would be manmade laws and traditions that the Pharisees and Scribes of the time held to be more important than Biblical law. We will not be looking at these passages in this post.

This post covers what the Messiah said about Biblical law, the commandments of his father.

How do we know that Jesus's law is the same as God's?

Because he tells us this! Verses like: I have come not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me (John 6:38), I and the Father are one (John 10:30), Whatever the Father does, the son does likewise (John 5:19), all speak to the Messiah and the Living God being on the exact same page. We also have Jesus's point-blank statement of, "I did not come to destroy the law."

In light of statements like this, it would make no sense for Jesus to create his own version of Biblical law. He never said he was creating his own law or doing away with the commandments. When he referred to his laws, they always fit with commandments and directions already given in the Old Testament.

Here's what Jesus said about Biblical law:

"If you will enter into life, keep the Torah commandments." -Matthew 19:17

"Blessed are those who hear the word of YHWH and put it into practice." -Luke 11:28

"The weightier matters of law need to be done, without neglecting the smaller matters." -Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42

"Whoever breaks the least of these commands shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven." - Matthew 5:19

"Whatever Moses says, guard and do." -Matthew 23:3

"Do not think that I came to destroy the law or Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to complete." -Matthew 5:17

"It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the Torah to fall." -Luke 16:31

"If you do these words of mine, you are wise..." -Mathew 7:24

"If you love me you shall guard my commands." -John 14:14

More about Jesus and Biblical law:
Did the Messiah Fulfill the Law? Understanding Matthew 5:17
The Three Types of Laws in Scripture
Did the Messiah Break the Law?

The Beginner's Guide to Passover (for believers in Messiah)

Are you new to celebrating Passover and the other Biblical holidays? Are you wondering why to take part in Passover, when it is, what the Bible says about it, or who should celebrate it? This post will go over the details for you and make observing this time doable and spiritually meaningful as a believer in Messiah.

Where in the Bible is Passover?

Exodus 12 gives us many details about Passover, when God was working through Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. The climax of the Exodus story is about the Passover lamb and the death of the firstborn plague not bothering the people who had followed YHWH's instructions.

Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 13 talk about the Messiah's last supper and then his crucifixion...which happened on Passover!

There are other mentions of Passover throughout the Old and New Testaments! Joshua and the Israelites kept Passover before the battle of Jericho. Kings and Chronicles record mentions of Passover celebrations. Mary and Joseph kept Passover when Yahusha was young. The Gospels and books of Acts, 1 Corinthians, and Hebrews all mention Passover. Some scholars believe that when Abraham and Sarah served unleavened bread and meat to their heavenly visitors they were observing Passover.

Why is Passover celebrated?

Passover is celebrated because it is one of the seven Biblical holidays that the Living God expressly told his people to celebrate in Leviticus 23, Numbers 9, and Deuteronomy 16. Passover celebrates the miracles of the Exodus story when YHWH spared his people from the plagues against the Egyptians and freed them from slavery. For believers in Messiah, Passover is also when we make a special point of remembering and honoring the Messiah's sacrifice for our sins.

What does Passover mean?

Passover comes from the Hebrew word 'Pesach,' the root word of which means pass-over. This comes from the angel of death 'passing over' the homes of the people who had slaughtered a lamb and put its blood around the door to their homes in the Exodus story. Doors that had not been covered with the blood of the lamb resulted in the firstborn dying in each house/family. This was the tenth plague YHWH brought upon Egypt, and after the death of his son Pharaoh decided to let the Israelites go.

Are Passover and Easter the same?

No. Even though there are many well-intentioned people who believe that Easter celebrates the same thing as Passover, there are many differences between these holidays. For believers in Messiah, Passover focuses on the death of the Messiah and his sacrifice covering our sins, and his resurrection is celebrated a few days later on the Biblical holiday of First Fruits. The holiday of Easter does not have its root in Scripture, and is not mentioned by the Bible. Many Easter traditions and customs are also not from the Bible, such as the ubiquitous Easter bunny. Scripture emphasizes the Passover lamb. Those who currently celebrate the resurrection of the Messiah at Easter would do well to start following the Living God's instructions about this!

Who should celebrate Passover?

All Bible believers should take part in Passover and the other Bible holidays! No matter our ancestry, Scripture instructs all of God's children to take part in this special time. It is mentioned throughout the Old and New Testaments; Moses and Apostle Paul both said that we should keep the feasts! Participating in the Biblical holidays will help us better understand the Bible from historical and prophetic perspectives.

What to know about Passover:

-Passover is a one day holiday, which is immediately followed by seven days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

-Passover is not a no-work day. This is likely because of the work of sacrificing and roasting a lamb that was required of believers in Exodus.

-Deuteronomy 16:3 says we eat the Passover meal of lamb, herbs, and unleavened bread to remember how quickly the Living God brought his people out of Egyptian slavery!

-The Hebrew word for Passover is Pesach and these words are used interchangeably.

-Passover happens around the same time as Easter, but the holidays are very different. One has its roots in Scripture, the other does not.

-We do not sacrifice a lamb today because the Messiah is the ultimate Passover lamb! However, serving and eating lamb is perfectly okay!

Spiritual significance of Passover:

-The Messiah was put to death on this day. Significantly there was no lamb sacrificed that year.

-John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, Luke, and John all refer to the Messiah as the lamb in the New Testament. This points to Passover and how the Messiah's death would free us from our sins!

-There are many parallels between Jesus and the Passover lamb from Exodus. The lamb had to be without blemish, and none of its bones were to be broken. The Messiah was without sin and, despite the horrific abuse he endured before and on the cross, none of his bones were broken! The Passover lamb was to be selected four days before Passover. Four days before his death, Yahusha rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.

-The Messiah said to do this in remembrance of him! Many of us have limited our participation in this command from Luke 22:19 to occasionally taking communion. But don't miss that the bread Jesus described as himself was the unleavened bread of a Passover meal!

How to observe:

-Remove the leaven from your home. Start with getting rid of breads or similar products made with sourdough starter, yeast, baking soda, or baking powder. Don't forget any containers of breadcrumbs or products made with breadcrumbs such as meatballs, or breaded chicken.

-Plan a meal using lamb, unleavened bread, and herbs. While traditional Passover Seders can be daunting, it's okay to keep things simple! It can be just yourself, or invite family and friends to honor this time with you.

-Have communion. Use unleavened bread and grape juice or wine to pause and give thanks for the Messiah's sacrifice. 

-Read, tell, or watch the accounts of the Messiah's last supper and death, as well as the Exodus story.

-Remember the miracles and faithfulness of YHWH in your own life. Scripture repeatedly instructs us to remember the works of YHWH and I think that applies to our own experiences outside of the Bible. Sharing how you have seen the Living God's provision and encouragement in your life is a great way to spread hope to others, as well as yourself!

There is some learning curve when you start to observe a new holiday, so give yourself grace about that. It takes time to get used to celebrating the times of the Creator and next year it will seem more natural and be even more fun! The Living God is honored by your efforts to take part in his set apart times!

More about Passover: 
What the Bible Says About Passover
Differences Between Passover and Easter
How to Host a Passover Seder
Five Reasons Believers Should Keep Passover

Five Things Every Believer Should Know About Christmas

Here are five things every Believer should know about Christmas:

1. Christmas is not mentioned in the Bible. You can read the entirety of Scripture and you will not once come across 'Christmas.' Luke 2 and other places give some details of the birth of the Messiah, but without question this didn't happen on December 25 or even in December. You will not find the events of Christmas celebrations in Scripture, even by a different name (at least in a positive light). It just isn't there. Take a moment to consider the wisdom of basing a considerable block of your faith on something other than the word of God. What did the Messiah say about building your house on sand?

2. Many of its traditions are expressly prohibited by Scripture. This includes bringing a Christmas tree into your home to decorate (Jeremiah 10:2-4), the traditional Christmas ham (Leviticus 11:7), many nativity scenes (Exodus 20:4), and more. Does it make sense to try and worship YHWH by doing things he tells us not to? What does it say about us if we aren't willing to follow some basic instructions from him?

3. Scripture does not tell us to celebrate Christmas. Nowhere in the Bible are we instructed to celebrate Christmas or even the Messiah's birthday. If this had been something the Creator wanted us to do, he would have told us! Yahusha had many chances to throw himself birthday parties, but we don't see that. The Disciples could have preached on celebrating Christmas, but they didn't. However, Leviticus 23 gives us the details on seven set apart times of YHWH that we are to observe, and we can see these honored by both the Messiah and the Disciples.

4. Christmas predates the birth of the Messiah by centuries. There is a reason so many cultures and faiths celebrate Christmas, because it's not a holiday that is rooted in Scripture. The December 25 Christmas holiday has a long history of honoring the sun god or other pagan gods around the time of the winter solstice. So no, this isn't something that started out as a nice little way to honor the Messiah's birthday. This is something that originated from faiths against the Living God. While YHWH certainly could choose to redeem it, according to Scripture that is not how he handles things of pagan origin. One such example would be 2 Kings 10:27, when rather than 'redeeming' a perfectly usable temple of ba'al for his own glory he had it made into a public toilet. Here is a good article on Christmas predating the Messiah.

5. The lies of Christmas undermine faith! In our culture, children are told stories of beings they don't see but who do nice things for them. Santa brings presents, the Easter bunny gives candy, and the tooth fairy leaves money under pillows. In time children are let down (Or devastated. These things can hurt.) with the truth...that these are just lies. How does that impact their faith in the Messiah, whom they also can't see, but supposedly loves them and will give them eternal life? I don't think we can emphasize enough how confusing and detrimental these lies are to faith. Even if your children know Santa isn't real, what are the implications for their faith when they find out Christmas isn't in the Bible? It's frustrating and confusing to realize that the Christian faith isn't based on following YHWH's commandments, and if we don't believe we should do as YHWH instructs in one area, why would we in another? 

Those are a few of the reasons why I decided to stop celebrating Christmas. 

More posts about Christmas:
Are Christmas Trees in the Bible?
Why I Stopped Celebrating Christmas as a Believer in Messiah
The Father Christmas Detail CS Lewis Had Wrong in the Chronicles of Narnia

Things the Messiah Said at Passover

Chag sameach! I hope you are enjoying this special and set apart time of year during the festival of Unleavened Bread, when we celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah. All of the festivals of YHWH must have been significant to Yahusha, and so many of his words recorded in Scripture were spoken during this time. Having some idea of the setting and context for his words can transform our understanding of them. Much weight and significance is added to his words when we realize he spoke them at the Passover table keeping YHWH's instructions from Leviticus 23. Here are a few things he said during this time.

Things the Messiah Said at Passover:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." -John 14:6
Many people who have this verse memorized overlook an obvious implication of it. The way is literally seated at the Passover table when he said this. If you want to get to the Messiah and the Father, you might think about heading to Passover.

"Whoever trusts in me does what I do and will even do greater works." -John 14:12
The Messiah clearly expects his followers to have the same lifestyle as he did. The feast days and honoring Shabbat are a great place so start to live like him. This verse also tells us that once we are living like he did we will see even greater things happen in and through us.

"If you love me, keep my commands." -John 14:15
If you love the Messiah his desire is that you would be obedient to his instructions. Picture him seated with matzah and wine, keeping the set apart time that was also celebrated by Abraham and Moses, while he speaks the word of YHWH to those at the table, and it's easier to remember that some of his commands are to celebrate his festivals.

"I am the vine, you are the branches." -John 15:5
This analogy is probably the parable that the Messiah spent the most time explaining. And it's significant that the chose to talk about pruning - when his Father, the gardener, cuts off part of a healthy tree in order that it can grow more - at Passover. While we are rooted in Yahusha, he expects his people to grow. Growth looks different each season, and for many of us significant growth is pruning off man made holidays and choosing YHWH's instead.

"Watch and pray." -Matthew 26:41
Yahusha wants us to watch and pray at this time of year but if we aren't observing his holy days how can we do that?

"If the world hates you, know that it hated me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, for that reason the world hates you." -John 15:18-19
The Messiah shares at Passover that he does not expect his followers to fit in with the world. And he's okay with that. He understood completely what it was like to be hated for the things he said and the lifestyle he chose to live. So if you're keeping Passover instead of the mainstream Easter holiday of course people are going to be upset, but it's really not about you; it's about them rejecting the ways of YHWH.

"In the world you have pressure, but take courage, I have overcome the world." -John 16:33
Passover is a beautiful time to remember that the Messiah overcame all the difficulties and injustices that we face. 

"This is my body which is given for you, do this in remembrance of me." -Luke 22:19
Do what to remember the Messiah? Eat bread at Passover.

"Go and prepare the Passover for us." -Luke 22:8
Here is the Messiah literally commanding his followers to take time to celebrate Passover. This is absolutely still worth doing today.

"The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." -Matthew 26:41
This verse describes how many of us as believers genuinely want to follow and serve the Messiah, but our flesh often is our biggest hurdle. The spirit is willing...but the flesh likes chocolate Easter rabbits. The spirit is willing...but the flesh has too many good Christmas memories to let go of. It takes intention and training to get your flesh under control of your spirit. Participating in YHWH's set apart times is an opportunity to strengthen your faith.

"You shall deny me three times." -Mark 14:30
Yahusha obviously knew what it was like to have people intentionally disassociate with him. When Peter denied him later that night, he wasn't just saying that he didn't know Yahusha. He was saying that he hadn't just partook in the Passover meal with him. How many people do you know that claim to love and honor the Messiah but adamantly deny his invitation to the Passover celebration? Let's not deny that as the Passover lamb, the feasts of YHWH are very near to the Messiah's heart.

"You do not know what I am doing now, but you shall know after this." -John 13:7
I love this verse because it tells me that I don't have to have all of the instructions figured out or to be able to fully see how YHWH is working in my life. Eventually all of these things will become clear but in the meantime all we have to do is walk in faith. I love the promise that even if keeping YHWH's feasts, honoring Shabbat, and so on don't make sense right now we will be able to see the Messiah in them someday.

"You should do as I have done." -John 13:15
Don't miss that the Messiah challenged us to live the way he did during one of YHWH's set apart times. Yahusha kept the feasts and we should too.