The Date: Wednesday evening, April 1 – Thursday evening, April 2, 2026 (Nisan 14)

As we approach the 2026 Easter season, our hearts naturally turn toward the Resurrection. But to truly grasp the power of that empty tomb, we must first look back thousands of years to a dusty landscape in Egypt. Before the cross, there was a cry for freedom, and before the Resurrection, there was a Lamb.

In Exodus 12:1-2, God established a divine "reset" for His people, declaring that the month of Nisan would be the "beginning of months" for them. This was not just a change in the calendar; it was the birth of a new identity. God was preparing a rhythm of worship—a series of "appointed feasts"—that would one day lead the entire world to the feet of His Son in Jerusalem. The Jews operate on two calendars: the Gregorian calendar we use daily and a Festal calendar established by God in Exodus 12. It is also important to remember that in the biblical perspective, a day begins at sunset (approx. 6:00 PM). Likewise the festal calendar is a lunar calendar which is why dates and tiemes shift annually. Also, as the Genesis creation narrative says, "It was evening and it was morning the first day." This shift in timekeeping reveals how perfectly Jesus fulfilled every "Appointed Time." 

The Perfect Alignment

The beauty of God’s master plan is found in its precision. In Exodus 6:6-7, the Lord made a four-fold promise to Israel: “I will bring you out... I will deliver you... I will redeem you with an outstretched arm... I will take you to be my people.”These four "I wills" became the foundation of the Passover Seder, represented by four cups of wine.

Thousands of years later, Jesus sat in an upper room in Jerusalem at the exact time the Passover lambs were being prepared. As the city buzzed with the selection of unblemished lambs (Exodus 12:5), the true Lamb of God was preparing to give His life. When Jesus picked up the third cup—the Cup of Redemption—He transformed the ancient ritual into a living reality, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20).

The timing was no accident. The Passover (Nisan 14), the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15), and the Feast of First Fruits (Nisan 16) align perfectly with Good Friday, Christ in the tomb, and Resurrection Sunday. As 1 Corinthians 5:7declares, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”

A Living Memorial

In Exodus 12:14, God commanded that this day be a "memorial day" and a "statute forever." While we may not celebrate the feast today with the slaughter of lambs—because our ultimate sacrifice was made once and for all on the cross—we still honor the commandment through the Lord’s Supper.

When we take the bread and the cup, we are participating in a story of redemption that is millennia old. We are reminded that just as the blood on the doorposts in Egypt caused the destroyer to pass over, the blood of Jesus applied to our hearts protects us from the judgment of sin. We no longer live as slaves to "the burdens of the Egyptians"—the debt, shame, and addiction of this world—but as a redeemed people belonging to a King.

Prayer Points

• For Our Pastors: Lord, we pray for our leaders as they prepare to herald the message of the Lamb. Grant them divine insight into the Scriptures and a fresh anointing to speak the truth of the Gospel with clarity, reverence, and power.

• For the Lost: Father, we lift up those who are still living under the heavy burdens of "Egypt." Open their eyes to see Jesus as their Redeemer. May they realize that the sacrifice has already been made and that their freedom is found in His blood.

• For Boldness: Holy Spirit, give us a spirit of boldness this Easter season. Remove all fear and hesitation, and give us the right words to invite our friends, neighbors, and coworkers to church on Easter Sunday, that they might encounter the risen Savior.

How are you preparing your heart for the Lamb this week?

SBTC Disaster Relief Phase 1 Training is for individuals who desire to be the hands and feet of Christ after a disaster strikes. SBTC Disaster Relief meets real needs and shares the good news of hope through Jesus Christ with those impacted by disasters. Trainings offered at this event will give you an orientation into Disaster Relief Ministry and help you to safely work in disasters such as floods, fires, and tornados.

• Online Registration Deadline is April 3 at noon. We close online registration early to ensure we have enough staff to serve you. If no one is pre-registered for a particular ministry area training module, it will not be offered.
• Early bird registration – $25
• We offer training for new volunteers, re-credentialing volunteers and current volunteers who only want to take Phase 1 Ministry Area Training. See registration for more info about the type of training that describes your situation.
• Registration at the door: $30
• All volunteers MUST make their own hotel and travel arrangements. These are not reimbursable.

Worship Night – Sunday, April 19, 2026
We are bringing together worship leaders and pastors from across SFBA for a night of prayer and worship. Everyone in your church is invited.
If your worship leader would like to participate, please forward this link:
https://sfba.breezechms.com/form/a106f130464154

A Brief SFBA QUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETING will begin at 5pm. Reports and a Motion to Sell the Current Office Property will be on the agenda.