The Better Bread

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NKJV)

The Jewish observance of Pesach (Passover) has very special meaning to Jewish people worldwide. The holiday, referred to as the festival of liberation, usually coincides around the time when Christians celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Pesach commemorates the tenth and final judgment God had to make against Egypt for its refusal to free the nation of Israel from their slavery. Two things factored into their freedom; (1) the blood of a lamb was to be applied on the tops and sides of the doors of homes; (2) and that no leaven (yeast) was to be used in their cooking. The blood of the lamb would turn away God’s judgment (Exodus 12:12), causing the angel of death to Pass over that home, sparing it.

The Jews’ freedom was so imminent that there would not even be enough time for their bread to rise. The night before their freedom God had commanded them to eat the unleavened bread with belt fastened, sandals on their feet and staff in hand. They were to eat it in haste (Exodus 12:11).

Leaven in Scripture is portrayed as sin and corruption. The Apostle Paul gives a word picture of it as a corrupting influence. As a small portion is able to rise a whole lump of dough (1^st Corinthians 5:6-8, Galatians 5:9), so a little sin, left to sit ferments and corrupts hearts and minds. It will eventually affect our relationship with God, and each other, keeping it from working to our fullest good.  

 Before Pesach arrives, a Jewish household scrupulously works to rid itself of every aspect of leaven. The children are included in the lesson of finding and purging every trace. It is called Bedikat Chametz, The Search for Leavened Bread. They will go throughout the household by candlelight, with feathers and wooden spoons to brush and scoop every evidence of leaven, from the pages of every book to the cracks in the floor, so thorough is the cleansing! Ten items of leaven are hidden throughout the household to be found. If only nine are found, the search continues until all ten are accounted for. All the items, including feathers and wooden spoons, are burned the following morning (Burning of Chametz).

A Jewish child beginning Bedikat Chametz, 

(The search for leavened bread).

Unfortunately, being freed from the slavery of sin doesn’t mean we no longer sin. Sin remains a problem that will be only be done away with when we leave these current bodies. While we cannot have full freedom from sin, we have full freedom from being enslaved to it. That is, we have the Power of Christ in helping us to choose not to sin. Before that, overcoming it in righteousness was not an option. If you have put your trust in Christ, now it is.

Anxieties, sinful thoughts, and desires will be with us throughout our lifetimes and can manifest themselves like little bits of leaven, that if left unchecked will work into our lives and grow into sins that will choke our spiritual growth.

I always know when I have leaven fermenting in mind and soul. I have to hide it. Leaven creates bitter bread, full of mold and weevils.   

Jesus is the Bread of Life, whose righteousness He tells us to consume (John 6:53-54). No leaven needed, for He is the Better Bread which fully satisfies the hungry soul (John 6:35).

Ken