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The intent of Pilgrim Processing is to provide commentary on the Daily Lectionary from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The format for the comment is Old Testament Lesson first, Gospel, and Epistle with a portion of one of the Psalms for the day as a prayer at the end.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

8 April 2012



While the Israelites have a meal of roast lamb the Spirit of God will pass through the land of Egypt and kill the first born of every family and also of the livestock of Egypt and on all the gods of Egypt the Lord executed judgment.  This was not only a physical judgment it was also a spiritual one on the gods, the fight is never with flesh and blood alone.  The Israelites were also instructed to eat in haste, prepared for flight.  They were to have a short window to get out of Egypt and they needed to be prepared to go as quickly as possible.  This feast, however, would be repeated forever as they entered the land and settled there and then there would be time to linger, to remember this night.  This was the first feast to be commanded of them, it would be the centerpiece of their calendar, the day the Lord delivered them out of Egypt and out of bondage.  Freedom!

The fallen nature of mankind is clear in that Jesus came to His own and not only did they not receive Him, they put Him to death.  The ones who had the Word killed the Word, they chose their own interpretation for God’s interpretation.  This opened the door to become children of God to all who believe in Him.  The Passover for all has occurred and in the resurrection of Jesus we know of God’s love for His Son and through that love, to those who believe in Him.  Is “belief” enough or is there the need to act on that belief?  The Israelites had to be obedient to the command of God regarding the Passover meal in order to receive the blessing.  If they didn’t follow God’s instructions to the letter they would be judged.  Does that mean it is works salvation?  No, it means that we are called to obedience, we are called to a life of faith, following the commandments of God.  If I told you that there was going to be a tornado today that would destroy your house at 3 PM and you should be elsewhere would it be your faith or your actions that saved you?  We take action based on our faith.  Faith comes first but action based on faith matters as well.  Today is a day for believing in the resurrection to life eternal, let it also be a day for acting like you’ll live forever.

Hail thee, festival day!
Blessed day to be hallowed forever;
Day when our Lord was raised,
Breaking the kingdom of death.

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