The Passover is still celebrated as the redemption of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Today we might question whether blood has such power or whether God would strike anyone down let alone all the firstborn of Egypt. But the point is still the same: God is more powerful than all of the gods and idols that humans dream up and God will not tolerate injustice. He demonstrates that Pharaoh is not a god. In the Passover we are grateful that God never forgets his people. Christians celebrate the Passion of Jesus as their Passover - liberation from the bondage of sin. God is always with us - we are his people; he is our God.

In every religion there are those for whom the rules are more important than people. The Pharisees were no different and no worse than some Christians in that regard. Some objected that Jesus and his disciples gathered some grain to eat on the Sabbath. But Jesus pointed out that in their tradition there had always been some flexibility. The rules exist to help us, not to make life burdensome or miserable. Let us not be harsh and unbending towards others or ourselves. God desires mercy rather than sacrifice - the well-being of people is always the most important principle. This should guide our life and our church.