The Plagues are Coming!!

Have you ever wondered why Jesus was even Jerusalem when He was crucified? Why would He head to the capital of Judea instead of remain in country where it was safe? I understand that He knew He was going to have to die…


“(Jesus Predicts His Death)…Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”  (Matthew 16:21)

…but I wonder if His self-preservation would have kicked in and told Him to stay clear of the area.

But why this particular town? Why was He headed to Jerusalem? Why choose a town with the largest church and the most priests that want you dead?

Simple. He had to. It was time to celebrate one of the Feasts…

“Three times a year you are to celebrate a festival to me. Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread; for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Aviv, for in that month you came out of Egypt.”  (Exodus 23:14-15)

The verse in Exodus is not referring to the time Jesus was in Egypt. God is commanding the Israelites to annually celebrate the time He freed them from slavery under a strict ruler, Pharaoh. Every year, Jews were to return to the temple and make sacrifices and party. They were to read the scriptures concerning the plagues that invaded Egypt when Moses told Pharaoh to “let my people go.”  (Remember Charlton Heston's Ten Commandents?)

Jesus was in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, the time when God sent an angel of death to kill all the firstborns so that the Israelites could finally leave Egypt.

Therefore, to get ready for Easter, we partake in a “Last Supper” the Thursday before Easter just like Jesus did. Unfortunately, though, we don’t get to go to Jerusalem to celebrate.  However, we make it memorable nonetheless. You see, in our house we reenact (well, the best we can) the ten plagues that invaded Egypt that lead up to the Passover.

And this year I wanted to share that journey with you. For the next two weeks we will look at the scriptures about the plagues. Then you can see what we do to “walk like an Egyptian” or at least in their shoes. Join us for the journey, won’t you? Who knows maybe you will learn something along the way. Or, at the very least, you can give some suggestions on how we can make the activities better next year. Your comments are always welcome.

Shalom!