Pilgrimage Gathering of Unleavened Bread - Commemorating a Lasting Ordinance

1. The Pilgrimage Gathering of Unleavened Bread Chagsameach! 4th Gospel 4:20-21 – Conversation with the woman of Samaria Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Yehudim claim that the place where we must worship is in Yerushalayim." Yahusha declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Yerushalayim.

2. Filling Up in My Flesh the Sufferings of Messiah Realistic Expectations For a Life Serving the Master

3. The Eating of the Unleavened Bread "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a pilgrimage gathering to Yahuwah-- a lasting ordinance. For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses, for whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Yisrael. On the first day hold a set apart assembly, and another one on the seventh day. Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat-- that is all you may do. (Shemot/Exodus 12:14-16)

4. The Days of Unleavened Bread You shall guard the Pilgrimage Gathering of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Mitzrayim. You shall guard this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. In the first month you are to eat bread made without yeast, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day. For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And whoever eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Yisrael, whether he is an alien or native-born. Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat unleavened bread.“ (Shemot/Exodus 12:17-20)

5. Why Eat Unleavened BreadEvery Year? With the dough they had brought from Mitzrayim, they baked cakes of unleavened bread. The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Mitzrayim and did not have time to prepare food for themselves. (Shemot/Exodus 12:39)

6. The Unleavened Bread is the Bread of Affliction Sacrifice as the Pesach to Yahuwah your Elohim an animal from your flock or herd at the place Yahuwah will choose as a dwelling for his Name. Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Mitzrayim in haste-- so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Mitzrayim. (Devarim/Deuteronomy 16:2-3)

7. Should We Eat ONLY Unleavened Bread for the Seven Days A type of fast? For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And whoever eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Yisrael, whether he is an alien or native-born. Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat unleavened bread (Ex 12:19-20)

8. Affliction Father Brings Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that Yahuwah promised on oath to your forefathers. Remember how Yahuwah your Elohim led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of Yahuwah. (Devarim/Deuteronomy 8:1-3)

9. What Does David Write About Affliction in Psalm 119? 67Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I guard your word. 71It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. 75 I know, Yahuwah, that your judgments are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

10. What Does David Write About Affliction in Psalm 119? 92If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. 94Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts.

11. The Meaning of Leaven (yeast) "Be careful," Yahusha said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread." Aware of their discussion, Yahusha asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matthew 16:6-12)

12. How Did the Religious Leaders Transition From the Torah of Moses to the Oral Law? Babylonian Captivity AntiocusEphiphanes and the Greek culture Building a fence around the Torah At the time of the Messiah, widespread corruption among the leadership which sought to hang on to its authority among the Jews

13. The Result of the Clashes Between Yahusha and the Religious Leadership Utter contempt for Yahusha and persecution Death of Yahusha Contempt and persecution for those following Yahusha To this day, hatred against those who call Yahusha (Yeshua) the Messiah

14. Filling Up in My Flesh the Sufferings of Messiah Realistic Expectations For a Life Serving the Master

15. We All Do Suffer Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Messiah's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the assembly. Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church(KJV)

16. Walking in His Footsteps We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, Elohim's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Yahusha did. (1 John 1:3-6)

17. How to You Authenticate Your Claim to Love God (Elohim)? Who is right? The one who “loves God” but does not keep his commandments, or the one who “loves God” and keeps his commands? This is love for Elohim: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome(1 John 5:3)

18. Unrealistic Expectations Wasn’t Messiah’s suffering enough? What is lacking? Didn’t he say, “It is finished”? Why do his disciples have to suffer too? If Jesus paid it all, then shouldn’t I just be able to sit back and let him complete his work in me?

19. What Did Yahusha Have to Say? Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)

20. All the Prophets Were Persecuted Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers! "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? (Matthew 23:29-33)

21. False Religion Will Tell You All you have to do to gain salvation and eternal life is to believe in Jesus Believe he is the Messiah Believe he died for your sins Believe he is coming back for you Believe that he has done it all and you can add nothing to his work Believe that if you try to add good works to his work by keeping his commandments, you have denied his finished work and are fallen from grace

22. False Religion Will Tell You You don’t have to keep the commandments. But Messiah tells us that its by keeping the commandments that we obtaineternal life.

23. The Master’s Teaching to the Rich Young Ruler A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Yahusha answered. "No one is good-- except Elohim alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'“ (Luke 18:18-20)

24. False Religion Will Tell You You don’t have to secure your salvation through good works. But Paul tells us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is Elohim who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13)

25. False Religion Will Tell You If you keep the commandments, you have fallen from grace. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Messiah; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:2)

26. Sha’ul on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9) Meanwhile, Sha'ul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Master's disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Yerushalayim. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Sha'ul, Sha'ul, why do you persecute me?" 5 "Who are you, Master?" Sha'ul asked. "I am Yahusha, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6 "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

27. 7The men traveling with Sha'ul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Sha'ul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Master called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Master," he answered. 11The Master told him, "Go to the house of Yehudah on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Sha'ul, for he is praying.

28. Saul Was Promised Suffering 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." 13“Master," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Yerushalayim. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." 15 But the Master said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Yisrael. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

29. Paul Was Promised Suffering The hate Paul had for Yahusha and his followers is the same hate Paul faced as a disciple of Yahusha. All the contempt he gave out he now received.

30. Paul’s Suffering as a Follower of Messiah Are they servants of Messiah? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Yehudim the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the assemblies. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

31. Godly Living Produces Persecution 2 Timothy 3:10-12 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings-- what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet Yahuwah rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Messiah Yahusha will be persecuted,

32. Romans 8:16-21 – Sharing His Sufferings • The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are Elohim's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs-- heirs of Elohim and co-heirs with Messiah, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. • 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of Elohim to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of Elohim.

33. Romans 8:22-26 • 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. • 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

34. Yahuwah Compensates Our Suffering With Comfort • Praise be to the Elohim and Father of our Master Yahusha Messiah, the Father of compassion and the Elohim of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from Elohim. 5 For just as the sufferings of Messiah flow over into our lives, so also through Messiah our comfort overflows. • 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1)

35. The Reason For Hardships • 8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on Elohim, who raises the dead. • 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1)

36. Sharing in the Sufferings of Messiah (Philippians 3) • But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Messiah. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Messiah Yahusha my master, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Messiah 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Messiah-- the righteousness that comes from Elohim and is by faith. • 10 I want to know Messiah and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

37. 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Messiah Yahusha took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, • 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which Elohim has called me heavenward in Messiah Yahusha. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too Elohim will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.

38. Peter Addresses This Issue of Suffering • Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Messiah, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. • 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Messiah, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of Elohim rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.1 Peter 4

39. 16However, if you suffer as a Messianic, do not be ashamed, but praise Elohim that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of Elohim; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of Elohim? 18 And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" 19 So then, those who suffer according to Elohim's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4

40. Summary If we want to be genuine disciples of Messiah, then we need to be like him in every way. Walking in his footsteps means we look like him, we talk like him, and we experience similar treatment from others. We will obey Father’s commands. We will experience testing and affliction from the Father. And we will be persecuted by those who hate and reject him.

41. Summary Let’s remember during this time what the days of unleavened bread are all about. Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast-- as you really are. For Messiah, our Pesach lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)