Post by Mark on Apr 6, 2009 6:04:58 GMT -8
Many folks think that the Passover celebration begins with the Seder meal. Some are aware that it is a week long celebration of unleavened bread (a different perspective entirely from the idea of a fast or denial of leaven). It really starts before this with the search for the chametz (the leaven).
This is one of the most practical celebrations of the year and possibly the most exhausting. It is Spring cleaning time. We turn our hoouse completely upside down. Yesterday, we took advantage of the beautiful sunny weather (a rare treat for Oregon Spring-time) and sunned the mattresses (remembering that I have nine children, that was quite a spectacle). Then we clean. Furniture is moved, drawers are dumped, cabinets are emptied and everything is washed down or scrubbed. We are cleaning because, well, yes, it needs to happen sometimes; but we're doing more than that. We're searching specifically for the crumbs of leaven that find their way into places that we never would imagine they wind up.
It's commonly understood that leaven represents sin; but from a Hebraic sense, it is much more specific. Leaven represents pride. Pride is the root of many kinds of sin and results in our damaging relationships between our families, our friends, the community, and our Lord. Pride is thinking that we understand, that we accomplished, that we are self-made. The opposite of pride is not self-abasement, rather it is giving credit where credit is due. We are the work of His hands and all good things come from Him.
The chametz of pride finds itself in all areas of our life. It filters down into the keyboard of my computer. It sifts between the cushions of the couches and chairs. It finds its way into the corners and the crevices. It takes time, effort, understanding and commitment to root it out where it hides. Still, when it is all done and we have declared our home clean, it will inevitably reveal itself again, somewhere blatant and obvious where we simply overlooked it.
As we search of the leaven in our home and clean meticulously window sills and baseboards, we must do it prayerfully, asking the Ruakh Kodesh to shine His Light upon the leaven that we have hidden in our minds, our hearts and our lives. The over-estimation of ourselves, taking credit for His benevolence, is our good service to purge in these days.
"All chametz, leaven and leavened bread that is in my possession which I have not seen, removed or is unknown to me, shall be annulled and considered ownerless like the dust of the earth."
This is one of the most practical celebrations of the year and possibly the most exhausting. It is Spring cleaning time. We turn our hoouse completely upside down. Yesterday, we took advantage of the beautiful sunny weather (a rare treat for Oregon Spring-time) and sunned the mattresses (remembering that I have nine children, that was quite a spectacle). Then we clean. Furniture is moved, drawers are dumped, cabinets are emptied and everything is washed down or scrubbed. We are cleaning because, well, yes, it needs to happen sometimes; but we're doing more than that. We're searching specifically for the crumbs of leaven that find their way into places that we never would imagine they wind up.
It's commonly understood that leaven represents sin; but from a Hebraic sense, it is much more specific. Leaven represents pride. Pride is the root of many kinds of sin and results in our damaging relationships between our families, our friends, the community, and our Lord. Pride is thinking that we understand, that we accomplished, that we are self-made. The opposite of pride is not self-abasement, rather it is giving credit where credit is due. We are the work of His hands and all good things come from Him.
The chametz of pride finds itself in all areas of our life. It filters down into the keyboard of my computer. It sifts between the cushions of the couches and chairs. It finds its way into the corners and the crevices. It takes time, effort, understanding and commitment to root it out where it hides. Still, when it is all done and we have declared our home clean, it will inevitably reveal itself again, somewhere blatant and obvious where we simply overlooked it.
As we search of the leaven in our home and clean meticulously window sills and baseboards, we must do it prayerfully, asking the Ruakh Kodesh to shine His Light upon the leaven that we have hidden in our minds, our hearts and our lives. The over-estimation of ourselves, taking credit for His benevolence, is our good service to purge in these days.
"All chametz, leaven and leavened bread that is in my possession which I have not seen, removed or is unknown to me, shall be annulled and considered ownerless like the dust of the earth."
