ⓒ 2007 WATV

On April 3 (the 15th day of the 1st month in the sacred calendar)—the day after the Passover, the Sacred Assembly of the Feast of Unleavened Bread was held. This feast originated in the event that the Israelites suffered until they crossed the Red Sea, being chased by the Egyptian army, after keeping the Passover and coming out of Egypt. In the Old Testament times, the people of Israel commemorated the suffering of their ancestors by eating bitter herbs and bread made without yeast—the bread of affliction, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread every year (Deut. 16:3).

The prophecy of the Feast of Unleavened Bread was fulfilled when Jesus suffered and died on the cross, after celebrating the Holy Supper of the Passover. The members participated in the suffering of Christ by fasting from midnight of the Passover to 3p.m. at the Feast of Unleavened Bread when Jesus died on the cross, according to the words of Christ: “But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast” (Mark 2:18).

This day, Mother thanked Father over and over again for laying down His life to save His children, being despised and mocked, and prayed that Her children would obey the will of Father who gave them salvation through His sacrifice and please God by finding all of the heavenly family members scattered throughout the world.

Chief Pastor Joo-Cheol Kim explained the meaning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, saying, “Now, let us be united in mind and follow the path of suffering which Christ walked alone for our sins.” He urged the members to true repentance, saying, “Through the sacrifice of God, we have been forgiven the huge debt of sin we committed in heaven. So, let us forgive one another’s faults and achieve true repentance,” quoting the parable of the man who was forgiven ten thousand talents.

After the worship service, the members watched some videos which reminded them of Christ’s sacrificial life. They engraved in their hearts the great sacrifice of the heavenly Father who silently endured extreme suffering for His children to have the forgiveness of sins, and also the boundless love of the heavenly Mother who was quietly carrying the crosses of Her children alone.