Guest post by Travis W. Hughey ©2014
This subject will be offensive to many but please bear with me and hopefully you can understand what’s being said.
In John the 1st chapter we read the account of John the Baptizer (or so he’s popularly called) saying:
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)
Anyone having sat in sunday school knows exactly what John is referring to. He’s speaking of the metaphor of the Pesach/Passover Lamb and it’s role in the redemption of the children of Israel from Egypt and Yahshua/Jesus being the one who’s blood will protect us from the wrath of Yehovah. It was the blood of this “Lamb” painted on the doorposts of the Israelite’s houses that protected them from Yehovah killing the firstborns of Egypt. They were instructed to secure a male lamb or kid goat four days prior to killing it the day just prior to the plague that killed every firstborn of Egypt at midnight. During this night they were given specific instructions on how to prepare it, how to eat it, and what to do with any leftovers. The instructions of Yehovah were very specific as were the instructions to do this throughout their generations as a never ending ordinance (observance). You can read about it for yourself in Exodus the 12th chapter.
Most would agree that eating lamb on Passover is the “Jewish” thing to do. I know many have been taught that Easter is basically the “New Testament” version of Pesach/Passover and as such complete with it’s own symbols and traditions separate of the “Old Testament” Pesach/Passover observed by the “Jews.” Symbols have meaning and if eating Lamb is the symbol of Yeshua’s sacrifice on our behalf then how does eating ham on Easter play into all this? Without going into all the history surrounding the traditions commonly observed (you can do a study on your own if you are really seeking the truth) why would it seem even remotely acceptable to God (who provided His Lamb) to celebrate the death and resurrection of a Jew named Yahshua by eating swine’s flesh? It would be like the verse in John saying:
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Swine of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)
I know the thought of this repulses (even writing this is making me feel physically ill) even the staunchest of Easter egg hunting, Sunrise Service going folk out there believing they are honoring the gift of salvation that came at such a high price. If this imagery is offensive to you, please understand how offensive it is to the Father who gave His Lamb for us. It was foretold in Isaiah 65th and 66th chapters that there would someday be those who build houses for God, make up their own way of worshiping him outside of His instructions. It says they will build their places of worship among graves, eat swine and other abominable things and proclaim themselves holy in the process. Unfortunately it doesn’t work out well for them (66:15-17). Once they are destroyed however, it does say the remnant that are left will worship Yehovah according to His ways and He will choose for Himself a priesthood from them. In case you may not know, that’s a good thing. No, a very good thing!!
The question is did a Lamb die for your sins or a pig?
Something to think about while eating in memory of the one who was ordained to be slain for your sin from the foundations of the world.
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1Peter 1:18 -21)