Back in 1983, I sat in front of my TV and watched someone do a move that I had never seen before. It wasn’t basketball—it was a dance move. It was Michael Jackson, and at the time, it was something that no one had yet seen. As the music played, he began doing what would soon be called a ‘moonwalk’. He moved—slid—and seemingly glided across the stage—backwards! I was so exhilarated by the sight that I actually yelled at the TV (yes I did that). Moonwalking may look good as far as entertainment and dancing goes, but when it comes to real life, it leaves a lot to be desired. More importantly, moonwalking—going backwards—for the Christian is most dangerous. How? Let’s talk about moonwalking Christians.
We have once again reached that season when Christians will be gathering in their respective churches to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What a glorious time it is! Knowing that in essence, every Sunday is a commemoration of His resurrection, many will be honoring this event with a special emphasis. And once again, what a glorious time it will be! But there are some Christians who will be doing no such thing. They instead, will be involved in the taking of Passover. Not learning of its significance, which can be both educational, and inspirational, but actually partaking of it. These have concluded for ancient reasons, that celebrating the resurrection is something that Christians should not do. Getting straight to the point, should Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ? Yes. Should Christians celebrate Passover? No. Why? Because it flies in the face of all that is biblical, and rational, and right. Those who engage themselves to do this, have missed the point of what Passover means. Passover looks forward to the coming Messiah. Since He has now come, why would anyone now go back and perform that which the Jews did in anticipation of Christ’s coming? Those caught in this error, have become ‘moonwalking Christians’; believing that going backwards is a means of going forward, and being right with God. They will cite Leviticus 23:2, and verses like it, which says:
“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.” Leviticus 23:2
The feasts of the LORD in Leviticus 23 were for the children of Israel, not for the blood bought, Holy Spirit indwelt child of God. And to be honest, just hearing a Christian say that they don’t celebrate Christ's resurrection, is actually quite offensive; almost like a cold slap in the face--not to the point of anger, just quite an assault to the senses.
Are Christians the ‘children of Israel’? We are not. The reason Jesus kept the feast of Passover was because He was a Jew, and He kept the Law perfectly--the only one who ever did. But when He died on the Cross, everything changed. Read what happened:
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” Colossians 2:14
See what Christ’s death on the cross did to the Law? The Law, and this includes the feasts, is ‘the handwriting of ordinances that was against us’—Jesus nailed it to His Cross, blotting it out and taking it away! Why? Because it was against us. Second Corinthians 5 calls the Law both a ministry of death and a ministry condemnation respectively, because the doing and keeping of the Law, does not, nor cannot bring life.
The Passover feast was prophetic in that it looked forward to what Christ would do. His death on the Cross fulfilled the purpose of the feast. All the feasts are but ‘shadows’ of things to come. We read:
"Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” Colossians 2:17
That word ‘body’ means ‘reality’. So, if Christ if the reality (and He is), then why am I reaching back into the shadow? Do I believe that He shed His blood for me or not? Or am I still searching? As scripture states, ‘Christ is our Passover’ (1 Cor.5:7).
We live this Christian life by faith, not Law--Law and grace cannot be mixed--they must not be mixed. When this happens, grace is frustrated, which means ‘set aside’. Scripture says:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:20-21 (boldface mine)
A careful, and prayerful reading of Galatians chapters 1-3, should be enough to bring those entangled again with a yoke of bondage out into freedom. In addition, Acts 15:1:11, gives explicit instructions from the apostles, concerning believers and the Law. Even then, there were Jewish Christians who were saying it was necessary to keep the Law to be saved. Simply stated, the apostles said no.
Finally, if churches lead their congregations backwards in an effort to be obedient and righteous, are they? No. Remember John 1:17:
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
It must be asked, if you are a Christian keeping Old Testament Law, are you serving Moses or Christ? Certainly we cannot do both. We must be careful about following along with what sounds good—but but is not right. That’s what discernment is all about: knowing the difference between truth and error. We should trust our leaders, we want to trust our leaders, but if you’re a Christian and you sense something is not right with what you’ve seen or heard—trust the Holy Spirit; He will never lead anyone into error—and He will lead you out—if you let Him.
Those who place themselves back under law do not have the liberty to do it the best way they can. Those who make themselves debtors to the Law must keep the whole Law in its entirety Failure to do so leads to stunning consequences:
“For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written: Everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law is cursed.” Galatians 3:10 HCSB
That’s why Galatians 5:1 says:
“Stand firm therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1
We continue to pray for those caught in this unfortunate error, remembering that we are all yet brothers and sisters in Christ striving to become like Him. We pray that we all may come into the fullness of the Savior. Let’s stay free however, and not allow ourselves to become entangled with Law.
That’s the Word! Take it with you. God bless you.
