The Feast of Unleavened Bread

We have just celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread this past week. Why do we celebrate it? So that we remember the story of the Israelites in Egypt, our forefathers. We want to remember them so that we remember our heritage, where we come from, what those who came before us sacrificed and to remember Whose we are.

The leavening in the bread symbolizes sin in our life. Just as a little bit of leaven – be it yeast, soda or powder – works throughout the entire recipe and leavens and lifts the food, so sin in our life effects everything. We can’t sin “only a little” or “just in this area that doesn’t matter”. No, just like leaven, sin works it’s way throughout our lives.

So how do we celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread? We start with the story in the Bible found in Exodus 12. Here the story is told of the Israelites leaving Egypt. They leave so quickly that their bread doesn’t have time to rise. Thus the origin of the unleavened bread.

The Bible goes on to tell us to remember this escape from Egypt. To pass this lesson down from generation to generation. And that’s why we celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. To remember and to seek to draw closer to God.

For one week we eat our bread unleavened. We don’t just stop eating bread, but rather cook it without leavening. The Bible says to eat it unleavened, not to merely stop eating it. Unleavened biscuits and burrito shells are some of our favorite alternatives.

These alternatives are our efforts to follow the Scriptures to obey this reminder. The lesson goes so much deeper than simply eating unleavened breads. We must search our lives for sin – both the obvious and the subtle – and get rid of it. Replacing it with Godly, lovely things.

As we have been going through the motions this week with the unleavened bread, this deeper meaning has been on my mind. What would God have me give up, or what sin has worked it’s way subtly into my life? I also pray about it – God is so good to help me see things when I remember to ask.

This time is such an excellent reminder to consider our lives. To really think about what we are doing and what we might do better.

What about you? Consider the music you listen to, the books you read, the movies you watch, the people with which you spend your time. Look for ways you might improve. Eliminate what needs to go so that you can be your best.

Until Next Time!

Hope.

PS. Be sure to read Exodus 12 for the story behind Unleavened Bread – it is part of our history!