ONMI: Understanding the Great Commission from the Prism of Passover & Resurrection

(Lifting the cup) This is the Cup of Redemption, symbolizing the blood of the Passover Lamb. It was the cup "after supper", which Yeshua identified himself -- "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:20)

Shalom , from the depth of hearts, giving thanks to God Almighty, we want to wish you and your family a blessed Passover and memorable Resurrection weekend as we weather down the storm of Corona virus waiting patiently upon the Lord to provide the way out of this pandemic. Our families gathered both here in the USA and South Sudan in our respective homes celebrating Passover and Resurrection Weekend. Our field staff and their families want to express their gratitude to you for your support and prayers in the midst of Corona virus lock-down, yet they are able to have food, water, and shelter.

Understanding the Great Commission through the Prism of Passover and Resurrection.

Jesus' public ministry on earth which began with his birth, life, death, and resurrection can be summed up in few words. “ Go and make disciples of all nations. You will be my witnesses from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and, to the outermost part of the World.” Matthew 28:19 and Acts 1: 4-8. He began his public ministry by calling His disciples to be fishers of men ( Matthew 4:19) at the shore of Sea of Galilee. He uses the analogy of catching fish after utter failure on the part of Peter and Andrew as they came out empty-handed after toiling tirelessly throughout the night. Jesus uses an effort that involved a lot of patience and tenacity to catch just one fish to make his point to Peter. Peter seeing his lack of faith, declared his sinful nature of unbelief and pleaded that Jesus should depart from him because he felt himself, a sinful man, no worthy to be around Jesus. But it was obvious that Jesus has already forgiven Peter off his sins. He called Peter to follow him and He will make him a fisher of men.

Jesus ends His public ministry with an emphasis on the Great Commission. After His resurrection, He reminded them again about their primary task on earth, e.i, the Great Commission. He met the disciples for the third time at the shore of Sea of Galilee before he ascended to Heaven. John 21. He encourages his beleaguered and frightened disciples to throw their nets into unexpected places in the water and out of obedience, they did and caught 153 fish. There he reminds the disciples again of their primary responsibility to obey his commands, stop doubting and be fishers of men even when it seems impossible to catch a fish just as it takes faithfulness and obedience to reach out to just one person to find Salvation in Yeshua.

The power of forgiveness is an effective weapon for the Great Commission.

Jesus, at the beginning, and at the end of his public ministry taught his disciples to use the power of forgiveness as a weapon against the adversary to advance the Great Commission. Forgiveness is imperative and a requirement that every disciple and every believer in Jesus need to adhere to in order to be effective in advancing the Great Commission. Forgiveness is part of the Lord’s Prayer. Unforgiveness chokes our testimonies. Unforgiveness is poisonous and very dangerous. It is a tool that Satan uses to block and impede our ability to be effective witnesses for Yeshua in order to fulfill the Great Commission. In the absence of forgiveness, there is anger, fear, idleness, gossip, and death.

After His resurrection, he breathes the Holy Spirit into the Disciples In John 20:22 we read, "And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. and asking them to understand the power of forgiveness and restoration, its impact on the earth and in heaven. in John 20: 23, he explains " If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”…Jesus demonstrates the principle of forgiveness by setting the example Himself: He did this by forgiving those who put him to death which includes every one of us even 2000 years later because we are children of wrath born of Adam's race living under sin. He forgave Peter after denying Him three times at the critical hours of his arrest, trial, and death. He forgave the disciple after they deserted him and ran in fear. He urges Peter to validate his love for Him by feeding His sheep.

He encourages the disciples to have the passion and the love for the lost. In Acts 2: At the Feast of Shavuot ( Pentecost), He sent the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity to empower them to take the Gospel News from Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria to the outermost part of the World.

Therefore, as you celebrate Passover and the Resurrection weekend, remember, what is central here, emulate Yeshua and be like Peter, teachable with a childlike spirit, be a fisher of man!.

What are we celebrating? You will notice that both events are celebrated back to back, around the same time. First of all Passover and the Last Super Which Jesus celebrated with his disciples in the Upper room have profound Biblical prophecy and fulfillment. Wondering how and why they are synonymous?

It is God that we honor in remembering that He passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians. The shank bone reminds us of the lamb whose blood marked the doors of the Israelites. We read in Exodus that the lamb was to be without defect, brought into the household and cared for. It was then at twilight, the fourteenth day of the month, that the Israelites were to slaughter the lamb and put the blood on the sides and tops of the door-frames. God gave His people instructions that only through obedience would they be spared from the angel of death. Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come." (Exodus 12:17)

Prophet Isaiah foretold of the coming Messiah, that He would be led like a lamb to the slaughter Isaiah 53. We know that Yeshua was our final blood atonement so that we would be freed from the bondage of sin and we would be passed over from death. "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Revelation 5:12)

Prayer needs

1- Pray that the vision and the goal of all of us, staff and their families who are involved in the work of Operation Nehemiah Missions have passion and love for advancing the Great Commission to the lost, not just in South Sudan but even here in America.

2- Pray that our families and staff who are engaged in this work are walking in the footsteps of Yeshua in forgiveness, faith and in obedience.

3- Pray for humility, kindness toward all.

4- Pray that many will come to the Saving Knowledge of Jesus

5- Pray for God's favor in raising support essentially needed to advance the work of Operation Nehemiah in South Sudan during this Critical time of USA economy breakdown due to Corona-virus

6- Pray for wisdom, unity, Humility, and success for our government leaders here in the US as President Trump and VP Pence and the national governors are making critical decisions to move the country forward.

7- Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, as Israel is in the middle of forming a unity government that is way overdue. "Netanyahu Discusses ‘Positive Signs on the Horizon,’ Exit from Corona virus Lock down After Passover." for more detail, please visit www.tps.co.il News from Israel

8- Agricultural Initiative and medical needs remain our top priority as we have been reminded that these are the things that matters.

How can you help? As we are entering the beginning of our third Quarter, April - June 2020, ONMI's Monthly fix & variable budget for the month of April stands at $37,000 excluding long term projects from various departments. We are confident that by the grace of God with your tenacious support, we can meet this goal before the end of the month.

All contribution to Operation Nehemiah Mission is tax-deductible.

You can send your support to Operation Nehemiah Missions at PO Box 563 Lanesborough, MA 01237. and Online, a contribution can be made at www.operationsnehemiah.org.

In His service

William Levi, Founder & Overseer

In His service

William Levi, Founder & Overseer