Tonight as we remember the mandates of Yeshua Jesus to His disciples
we look at some of the highlights of the Seder Meal the Jewish family has
when it celebrates the Passover
and compare them with the Last Supper Jesus had with His disciples
just before He went to the cross.
Here is Paul’s description of the Passover meal Jesus had with His disciples
before He went to the cross.
from 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed,
took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said,
“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood;
do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
The four cups that are consumed during the meal
symbolize the four distinct redemptions promised by G-d to the Hebrews
as told in Exodus 6:6-7
four cups of wine to celebrate redemption and freedom
and are particularly pertinent to the sacrifice of Christ as the Lamb of God
slain for the sins of the world.
"Cup of Sanctification"
as God set apart His people in Egypt
drink in remembrance that we have been set apart
by the Lord's sanctification
“Cup of Instruction”
tells the story of the cross and how it delivered us from bondage
“Cup of Redemption,”
Matthew 26:26-28 , Luke 22:14-20
"he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it.
He gave it to them and said,
“Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood,
which confirms the covenant between God and his people.
It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many."
The same is true of the unleavened matzah bread used in the ceremony,
even to the very way it is baked
unleavened ~ being without hypocrisy and sin
the bread of Life ~ Christ ~ John 6.48-51
being pierced and striped
broken for us
as is the middle matzah of the three at the Seder
Father Son and Holy Spirit
the broken matzah then wrapped in white linen
as was Christ
I pray your worship this Maundy Thursday
has deeply reflected the impact of Christ's mandates
of serving one another in humility
as He led by example in washing His followers feet,
His command to Love one another,
and the breaking of bread and sharing the cup
around the table of His remembrance ...
if you are interested in more on this,
Joe Amaral has been a wonderful resource of
First Century Foundations by dvd of Ancient Feasts
{free study guide available at his site}
and his recent release Understanding Jesus
which recognizes the cultural realities that impact accurate
interpretation of scripture ~ excellent resources
both book and dvd
Reflections continue tomorrow
as we worship our Lord
throughout Good Friday remembrances...
as we worship our Lord
throughout Good Friday remembrances...
