Ever since I became a Christian at the age of 30, I’ve always wanted to experience a Passover Seder. The symbolism of the Seder to the life and death of my Lord were fascinating to me. Last night I had my chance! My church hosted a traditional Passover Seder and over 100 of us arrived to learn more about our faith’s Jewish roots. Some of the symbolism of the meal is more obvious; however, as we look back on Jesus’ own celebration of the Passover meal, “the Last Supper,” other elements of the meal’s traditions truly come into focus! (there’s a lot to cover here but if you bare with me, I promise you’ll be blessed!)
The Passover meal was God’s way of reminding the Israelites of His protection and faithfulness. As the Egyptians had “made their lives bitter with hard labor in mortar and bricks,” (Exodus 1:14), God sent nine plagues over Egypt but the Pharaoh was stubborn and not would not willingly surrender his slave labor. Finally, God sent the tenth plague: the death of all firstborn sons. God commanded the Israelites to sacrifice perfect male lambs and to sprinkle the blood on the tops and sides of the doorposts of their homes so that when the Lord’s angel of death sees the blood, it will “Pass over” those houses (Exodus 12). And that is exactly what happened. The firstborn male of every family of Egypt, including the Pharaoh’s own son, died during the night, and the next morning, Pharaoh let God’s people go.
Today, when we consider the blood-stained cross of the Messiah, the Lamb of God, the foretelling of the Messiah is clear. More than 1400 years after the first Pass Over, John the Baptist saw Jesus walking toward him and exclaimed, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
Today, to prepare Matzah bread for Passover, the dough is pricked in order to keep it from rising. Although this is likely a recent practice, its symbolism remains striking, “They have pierced my hands and my feet.” (Psalm 22:16) and “They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son…as for a firstborn son who has died.” (Zechariah 12:10) Recall that the sons of Israel were spared the deaths of their firstborn sons in God’s Pass Over in Egypt… then God commanded the Israelites to celebrate the Passover every year until God would reveal its ultimate purpose: to point people to the Messiah, God’s firstborn Son who, because of God’s great love for us, was not spared.
At the traditional Seder meal, children are instructed to open the door to the house to see if Elijah was there who would signal the Messiah would soon arrive. Then, the unleavened bread was broken, wrapped in linen, and put away.
At the Last Supper, Jesus breaks the bread and gives it to his disciples explaining that it represents his body that will be broken and given for them. The bread was not hidden as was the tradition. Why? Because the Messiah would no longer be hidden from them! And Elijah had already come! Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was told about John, “He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.” (Luke 1:17) and Jesus also declared about him, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. But I tell you, Elijah has already come.” (Matthew 17:11) Do you see the excitement building up! It is exactly as the Passover meal’s traditions predicted!
Before the disciples could fully understand all that was about to happen, Jesus lovingly tells them “Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer…you will search for me, but you cannot come where I am going.” (John 13:33) Just as the Seder tradition requires the broken break to be wrapped in linen and hidden away, so was the Messiah broken and killed, wrapped in linen, and hidden in a tomb…but…three days later…HE AROSE!
He is no longer hidden from us! He has risen! He came just as the Scriptures foretold. Our attempt to grasp just some of the meaning of the Passover meal has hardly touched the surface! Jesus Himself confirmed the significance of the Passover meal when He promised, “For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:16)
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to hear the rest!
Blessings to you this Passover / Pesach / פסח !
Shadia Hrichi
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