Passover

“And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning." -Exodus 12:22

They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. We can rea in Matthew 21:7 that the crowds went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

For days now, I can’t get two images out of my mind: Passover as the Israelites were about to leave Egypt and Jesus' triumphal entry before He was betrayed and crucified -two completely different stories, but yet so connected and very significant in this particular moment in history. I know it is of God because I received two calls from two different friends, each giving me these two different stories. I told them, "Ok! God is trying to show me something He wants me to write." It’s a bit long. Please bare with me, let me explain.

Imagine. You are a slave in a foreign land -overworked, beaten even some to death, no freedoms, no hope and no future, praying God delivers you from this hell you're living in. A leader emerges and before you are allowed to leave, ten terrible plagues are unleashed. Some didn’t touch you, but others affected you. Finally, God says "Sprinkle blood over your door and on its sides. When I see the blood I will pass over you and spare the life of your first born. And when you do this. Go into your homes and stay there. Do not go out."

I don’t know about you, but that would have completely freaked me out. God was clearly telling them what He was about to do. Whomever didn’t follow this command were going to regret it. They were about to see the death angel enter their home and kill the first born child. I would have completely drenched the whole entire door in the blood to be sure the Angel would pass our house by. Imagine the horrific screams of pain and anguish at the discovery of a dead loved one. We are talking about thousands dead, and all at the same time -horrific, devastating, unbearable.

Come with me as we see the next scene. Jesus gets on a donkey, and He goes riding in the middle of the town in Jerusalem. Can you see it now? This man had performed countless unbelievable miracles: the dead came to life, crippled walked, dead ears heard, blind men saw, issues of blood stopped, mute spoke, minds restored back to sanity, woman rescued from being abused, money in mouth of fish, and thousands of hungry fed. No wonder the people took to the streets praising this man of Galilee. Cloaks came off their bodies, and they spread them before Him, like a red carpet before a king. Branches were broken off the trees and waved before the King of kings and Lord of lords. Shouts of joy and triumph were heard loud and clear throughout the town. What an amazing party on the streets of Jerusalem that day -joyful, jubilant, and merry.

Two very different scenes, with two very different emotions. You might be thinking what are you trying to say here? Huh? It’s taken me a few days to understand myself, too. Let me connect them for us, as God has given me a message of Hope, healing, and restoration.

Everyone knows I’m believing God, along with millions more, for a miracle this week regarding COVID-19.

My friend sent me a message today. She sent me the above verse, and shared information she had regarding hyssop branches. I began to research this word hyssop. I quickly, realized that no one really knows what hyssop meant back then. However, what I found startled me. This hyssop could possible have been oregano, or mint. And amongst the many health benefits, one thing stood out in both oregano and mint. It’s suggested it had umpteen antivirus and antibacterial properties So, then, things like colds and flu were kept mild. The God of all the plants told them to take this type of branch to dip the blood and place over and sides of the door.

My Spirit, immediately, understood. Right now we have over one million people infected with this virus around the world. They are some who are battling over life and death. Families are praying, and believing for a miracle, the world is on lockdown. We are all in our home. I can’t believe the entire world came to a halt. Here’s the truth. There are those who took the hyssop, not understanding why they had to do it, but obeyed and trusted in the word of the Lord. Faith believing, applied the blood of the lamb on their door. The death angel saw it, and skipped that home. The family was spared.

I find it interesting that here we about 3,000 years later. In two days we will celebrate Passover and people are battling a virus. Now, let me be clear. Oregano and mint will NOT make this virus go away. That’s definitely not my point. My point is that the blood of the lamb saved the lives of those people. It was the significance of the blood and the type of branch used that made me think about Passover and that moment in time. “When I see the blood I shall pass over you.” The blood represents another type of lamb. The perfect Lamb of God. Jesus Himself. You see, it’s only the Blood of Jesus that heals people, however He chooses to heal them, using drugs, or completely, unexplainable touch from the Son of the Living God.

Jesus' triumphal entry is filled with meaning. I’ll look at just one for tonight. You see, those branches they broke off and began to lay on the ground and wave where filled with meaning. It represented victory and salvation. We understand Jesus was about to be sold out, betrayed, persecuted, and killed. There was nothing to celebrate. Jesus knew it, the murderous religious people knew it, and the betrayer himself knew what was to come. Yet, Jesus rode down the streets of Jerusalem because after the agony, pain, and despair Sunday was coming. You see, Jesus beat sin, death, and illnesses at the cross.

The pre-waving of those palm branches (if they were palm) and remember some where laid on the ground was an expression that Jesus saves, Jesus is victorious, and Jesus conquered everything.

Covid-19 will die by the power of the Living God. Whatever was meant to kill and destroy has been conquered by the Blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ. Passover hyssop branches kill viruses. I declare over those people who have it complete healing, and the rest be covered by the Blood of Jesus.

Continue to pray with me. The Spirit of death has been defeated and the Blood of Jesus has been applied on our doors, and over our lives. Right after Passover, comes Easter. “Hosanna blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” I’m declaring and proclaiming complete victory over all people, and all lands. COVID-19, you are completely eradicated. You are beaten by Jesus Christ of Nazareth. You are not ever to return on planet earth again. Amen.

Rev. Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

Founder and President of Thread of Hope, Inc.

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