Full Script (Haggadah)
".
. . remembering me . . . " -- Re-Creating
the last Passover of Jesus, the Messiah
Art Thompson
Introduction and History
The experience we are about to share this evening is something Alice Ann and I believe that God
has made a part of our ministry. For fifteen (15) years now, we have been doing historical
research on our Lord's Supper - the communion. Because we wanted to know just as much as
we can learn, we had to uncover some things we had not known - or even suspected - before
about the Passover and its significance.
The Lord's Supper reaches back and touches the Passover . . . and the Passover feast reaches
back and touches the entire history of God's people, and their hope for salvation through the
Messiah . . . So the Supper our Lord started binds together all of God's people . . . for all time . .
. in remembering the love and the grace of God who gave his only lamb for us - his spotless,
perfect lamb. You see, each of us owed a debt we could never pay. For you and me, God's only
son paid that debt he did not owe.
I'm sure everyone here remembers that when Jesus started what we call the Lord's Supper, he did
it at his final Passover. Remember also, that our savior was a devout Jew. Take everything He
did and said in that context. He kept all the laws God gave to Israel.
God had preserved the Jews as a nation from the time he chose Israel as his own people. He had
preserved and protected the family lineage through which Jesus came into the world, just for us.
All things in history, and all things in Jesus' life on earth, had pointed toward these last few hours
before his death - they had pointed even beyond his death and his resurrection.
So the last few days of his life were not happenstance. There was no coincidence. Those hours
were the focal point where God shows us the meaning of his entire plan for us - everything that
was in his mind before the world began.
Because of that, there is so very much symbolism in the things Jesus said and did during those last
few days, that we may never identify all of it.
Remember, too, that the entire Passover was a picture - the Passover was a vivid symbol of Jesus
himself. God's passing over of the Israelite families in Egypt also was a picture of the work of
Jesus in our salvation. That Passover meal was preserved by God for his people to remind them,
over and over, and to teach their children, that God had set them apart - had sanctified them; He
had delivered them out of slavery; He redeemed them from death in Egypt; and He made a
covenant - a formal agreement with them.
Today, we sometimes marvel at the teaching and learning benefits of multi-media presentations.
The Passover is the ultimate multi-media presentation. It is not just sight and sound. God has his
people to tell this story with sight, with tastes, with smells, with sounds, and with the touch - all
five senses. The story was to be told and retold - every year - to all succeeding generations of
God's people. Every child was to know the story and was to be able to tell it from memory.
All of that is a picture of what Jesus did for us. He picks us out and sets us apart from the
worldly, from the natural - He sanctifies us.
He delivers us from the bondage we have to our own selfishness - our bondage to natural things -
our bondage to sin.
He redeems us. He pays the price to buy us from death under our former slave master - Satan.
That redemption price is himself - his very own blood - the blood of the God's own Lamb.
And he makes a covenant with us - "You be my people and be faithful to me, and I will be your
God, your protector, the one who saves and keeps you; and I will take you to the place I am
preparing for you."
What a covenant!
Before the Messiah came, Israel never had a covenant like that - with eternal salvation in it.
But, this is the new covenant, sealed forever - not with the blood of an animal lamb - but sealed in
the most precious blood the world has ever known.
There are many more symbols in the Passover meal itself and in the preparation for it. I will point
out some of those as we progress through the evening - others, I will not. Some are noted in
scriptures - others are not. Some will be obvious to you. Some of the imagery is contained only
in the lengthy prayers. Please listen to them carefully. To recognize some others will take more
thought, prayer, and meditation.
We do not intend to do anything this evening that would make any one of you uncomfortable with
your beliefs. There should not be anything in what we will be doing to cause that. However, I do
encourage you not to do anything that would violate your own conscience and belief.
We will be serving wine. By law, I cannot serve anyone under 21 years of age, but parents can
serve their own children. If you are a parent, and you wish your children to drink wine, you may
serve them, but I cannot. My own personal beliefs are that - not only would it be OK - it would
be a wonderful thing to do with them. But, please be guided by your own beliefs - not by mine.
During the remainder of the evening, you may have questions. If so, that's great - because we
won't be able to cover everything. But, please hold your questions until the end, and we'll try to
address them then.
In our research, Alice Ann and I have discovered that many of the details of what occurred during
Jesus' last Passover have gotten obscured to us who live 2,000 years later.
(O/H #1 - Peeling Back The Layers of An Onion)
Traditions have been added on top of other traditions in both the Passover and in the Lord's
Supper. Peeling away all the layers of built up tradition is not as easy as it sounded at first. There
are several reasons for that.
(O/H #2 - Changing Passover Traditions)
One reason is that there were several sets of Passover ritual authorized by God, himself.
For example, the very first Passover in Egypt was one of a kind. There has never been another
like it, because God used it to deliver his people from slavery and take them toward the land he
had promised them. That was one set of ritual.
A different set of rituals and traditions developed during their forty years in the wilderness.
During that time a full generation lived and died. There was probably wine on their dinner tables
in Egypt, but it is not mentioned. To have wine on their tables was so commonplace as to be
expected, but not necessarily noted in writing. However, in the wilderness, they introduced wine
as a part of the telling of the story of the Passover, which you will see as we progress.
After they reached Canaan and began to observe the Passover there, they added more ritual, as
you will also observe this evening.
When they were finally in their own land and were no longer on the move as God's nomads, the
Passover intentionally became a more leisurely, happy, and sometimes boisterous, occasion.
Later, Israel deserted God and began to chase after adulterous false Gods. The nation was
divided. The southern nation, Judah - where God's people had remained faithful for a while -
eventually gave in to idol gods, also.
The eight-year-old boy king, Josiah, came to the throne about 640 years before Jesus was born.
Josiah restored the temple, restored the law, kicked out the idol gods with their temples, altars,
and rituals, and restored the Passover observance with the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Second
Chronicles 35:18 says:
And there had not been celebrated a Passover like it in Israel since the
days of Samuel the prophet; nor had any of the kings of Israel celebrated
such a Passover as Josiah did with the priests, the Levites, all Judah and
Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Historians give Josiah credit for several innovations connected with the Passover. In the most
major change, Josiah commanded the people to travel to Jerusalem for the feast, and to have all
their lambs slaughtered in the Temple, and the blood of their lambs was to be poured out at the
altar in the Temple. Up until that time, each family had slaughtered its own lamb at home. They
had prepared and observed the feast at home, no matter where in the world they lived. Those new
customs, begun by Josiah, remained basically unchanged until after the captivity in Babylon -
some time after 516 BC.
The next change of any significance came after the law, the city of Jerusalem, and the Temple had
been restored and rebuilt following the Babylonian captivity. About 450 years before Jesus was
born, the prophet, Malachi, wrote in chapter 4, verse 5:
Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the
great and terrible day of the Lord.
Some time after that, Jews began to set a place at the Passover table for the prophet Elijah, who
would proclaim that the Messiah was soon coming.
Following that, there were no major changes until after the temple was destroyed by the Romans
in the year 70. By this time, the slaughter of the lambs in the temple had become so ingrained in
the ritual that many Pharisees among the Jews believed that if they could not sacrifice their
Passover lambs in the temple, they could not eat lamb at all!
At some time after the destruction of the temple, many Jews began to observe the Passover, eating
almost anything but lamb. Today, many - if not most - Jews in our country use just a bare piece
of a lamb's leg bone - with no meat on it - for the ceremony. Some other Jewish traditions use a
chicken or a beef bone, and not even a lamb leg bone, at all!
About 300 A.D., devout Jews began to write down much of their oral traditions, including their
then-current rules for observing the Passover. These writings are called the Talmud. One section
of the Talmud deals in minute detail with how and when to observe that Passover, as it was
observed 300 years after Jesus' death.
The dispersion of Jews throughout the world also caused them to add local, or regional, traditions
to this feast. Today, individual families add their own traditions on top of traditions from their
country of origin, or from their own Jewish sect. These are added on top of Talmudic traditions,
on top of the traditions that Jesus and his disciples observed.
For those of you who have been privileged to share in a modern Jewish Passover, you will notice
several things that will be different tonight. They are different because - so far - we have not
found any historical evidence that things were done that way during the time of Jesus. Some I
have already mentioned. Others will come up later. Some will not be mentioned in any other
place, so let me point out a few of them now.
You may have noticed that we have not lighted any ceremonial candles. I believe that at the time
of Jesus, with the possibility of two exceptions, people used candles for light only - not as a part
of any ritual. Those two exceptions may have been the golden candlestick - or Menorah with
seven branches - which was kept burning in the temple. The other might be the lighting of nine
candles during the Feast of Dedication - also called the Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah - which
began being celebrated about 150 years before Jesus was born.
Another thing that will be missing tonight is that I am not a cantor. Most modern Jews cant, or
sing the prayers and blessings we'll be saying tonight. (I just can't cant!) I would rather just read
them than to ruin them for you by making a very poor imitation of the Jewish style. Along this
same line, and for similar reasons, I may not pronounce some words the way you may have heard
them being said. I just haven't been in that culture enough to have picked it up.
We won't be using a Haggadah, tonight. I'll explain why in more detail, later. But written
Haggadahs did not come along until well after our Lord was on earth.
Permit me just one more intentional transgression from what you may have seen or heard before.
At the time of our Lord on earth, the Passover feast was on the first day of an eight-day feast of
Unleavened Bread. A Jew was not allowed to have any yeast on his property or in his house. All
of the food you will have here tonight is unleavened, with one obvious exception. I hope you will
understand that, because of our own modern practices, our own traditions, and the consciences of
some who are here tonight, we will have grape juice on our tables alongside the Passover wine.
Grape juice has yeast in it. Wine does not.
Jesus and any other Jew would have been cut off from Israel if they had used grape juice - which
is leavened - during the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened bread which followed.
A few years ago, we were invited to a local church to participate in a "Passover Demonstration"
by a Christian Jewish brother. The Lord used that demonstration, based on this brother's own
observance and his own rich experiences since he was a child, to inspire us to have this event,
starting in 1995. Some of you celebrated with us, then, and encouraged us to do this again. If
this is your first time, perhaps you will leave with a new perspective, a new appreciation for the
Lord's Supper, and a new love for Jesus, our Passover, and our Savior.
Traditions and changes have also been added to the Lord's Supper during the last 2,000 years.
(O/H #3 - Changing The Lord's Supper)
I don't know of any group of Christians today who observe the supper as the disciples of the first
century did. So many layers of tradition and doctrines have been wrapped around it, that today, it
doesn't have much resemblance to what Jesus intended. That's sad.
In the beginning, the Supper was a part of an agape - a love feast. Christians gathered together
from house to house for food and fellowship. Eating the Lord's Supper, using unleavened bread
and wine, was included as a part of their regular meal. They did it daily.
After a few years, some began eating it less frequently, causing some Christian leaders to
encourage them to do so more often, at least weekly, on Sunday. Eventually, the Sunday
observance was emphasized more than the other days.
As organization grew among the disciples of Jesus, so did the proclivity for some men to assume
spiritual authority over others. The Lord's Supper was caught up in this rush to organize and to
establish layer upon layer of ruling hierarchy. After a number of years, it became known as a
"sacrament" - an ordinance - a rule - that the church officers dispensed to its members. The
clergy and laity developed as separate groups of God's people. Arguments raged over whether
the bread and wine were really bread and wine after being blessed, or whether - during that
blessing - they miraculously turned into the real flesh and real blood of Jesus. Some church
traditions changed unleavened bread to leavened bread. Some had the "laity" eat the bread while
the "clergy" drank the wine. The theory for that change was that the actual blood of Jesus was
too precious for an ordinary, sinful person. Still others began to dip the bread into the cup - kind
of a "sop" - a soaking of the bread in the wine - and eating them together - a tradition called
intinction. They began doing that some time before 600 A.D., because they believed that - during
the blessing - the wine had actually turned into the blood of Jesus in the cup - and that the blood
of Jesus was too precious for them to risk spilling a drop. One of the early church councils
condemned that practice, because it made the Lord's Supper something entirely different from
what Jesus intended. Even so, the practice is still observed by some today.
Prelude
(O/H #4 - God's Instructions - First Passover)
Almost 4-thousand years ago, the Passover feast began in Egypt on the last night of the Hebrew
slavery. The story is recorded for us in Exodus 12.
You will remember that God told the Israelites to prepare to leave Egypt, but before leaving, they
should eat first. God gave them detailed instructions, which they followed faithfully. They
butchered a young lamb and roasted it with fire. Any leftovers were to be burned up before the
sun rose. The bread they were told to use would be mixed and cooked quickly. It was called the
bread of haste. It had no yeast in it - it was unleavened. Also, as they were eating, they must be
ready to leave Egypt at any moment. They were to eat with their walking staffs in their hands,
with their walking shoes and their traveling clothes on.
The significance and consequences of that meal were tremendous.
God instructed that they should take the blood of the lamb and, using a handful of hyssop, smear it
around the tops and sides of the doors of their homes. The lamb had been slaughtered at the front
door, with most of his blood poured out into a small "vat" which had been dug in the ground in
front of the door. When all Israel gathered into their homes for that historic evening, they were
behind doors covered with the blood of the lamb, eating the feast. In fact, the blood was all
around the door, so they, literally, had to walk "through" the blood of the lamb to get to safety
inside.
God was passing through the land, taking the lives of the firstborn of every family in Egypt. The
firstborn of all families was sentenced to death. The firstborn of each family was taken - whether
it was the family of the king, a captive in prison, a slave, or a family of cattle. The firstborn of all
- who were not hiding behind the blood of the lamb - died. The lamb died so they would not.
The next day, God led them out of their brutal slavery, toward the land he had promised their
father Abraham - many generations earlier. But he gave them this feast to help them remember
this time in their lives, and how God had dealt with both them and those who had kept them
enslaved.
(O/H Off)
He told them:
And you shall observe this event as a law for you and your children
forever. And it will come about when you enter the land which the Lord
will give you, as He has promised, that you shall observe this ritual.
And it will come about when your children will say to you, "What does this
ritual mean to you?" that you shall say, "It is a Passover sacrifice to the
Lord who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He
struck the Egyptians, but spared our homes." And the people bowed low
and worshiped. (Exodus 12:24-27)
In the first month of every year into the future, God's people would eat this feast with their
families. They would use the occasion for the head of each household to teach the children the
story of what God had done for them.
From that first Passover meal until today, most of the major features of this meal have remained
the same, however, since, over the centuries, some changes have been introduced, tonight, we will
try to re-create that Passover observance as it was the night Jesus, the Messiah, was betrayed and
arrested. We will try to cut through some of the traditions that have been added since the time
Jesus ate it and established his own memorial supper. It is difficult, because tradition has built
upon tradition, and it becomes a more difficult search.
For example, at the last Passover of Jesus, each person drank four glasses of wine. That was wine
- not grape juice. No one even knew how to preserve grape juice from the harvest in the fall until
the Passover in spring. A method for preserving grape juice was not discovered until the late
1800's. During their meal, each person drank approximately 40 ounces of wine - that's about
one-and-a-fourth of our modern wine bottles.
(O/H #5 - The Blood Of The Lamb [Sanctified, Delivered, Redeemed,
Covenant])
At the original Passover in Egypt, when God's children painted the frames of the doors to their
homes with the lamb's blood, that blood symbolized at least four things: their sanctification, their
deliverance, their redemption, and the covenant God made with them.
(O/H Off)
Only one time - there in Egypt at the beginning - would they ever sprinkle blood on their doors.
Just one year later, in the wilderness, they began using wine to symbolize the blood; and to remind
them of the blood of the lamb which saved them from death. In every civilization - wine has
symbolized both blood and life.
Tonight, as I have already mentioned, we will be serving wine. I pray that no one here will have a
problem about that. If you do, I certainly understand it. But, wine is what Jesus used. It was the
common table beverage. It was especially used during Passover and the week of Unleavened
Bread which followed. Besides water, it may have been the only unleavened table beverage
available to them - their only drink without yeast in it.
The "grape juice tradition" began in the United States, and has been spread by American
missionaries to other parts of the world. It really is a modern change from what our Lord used.
The grape juice tradition began a little over one hundred years ago in Vineland, New Jersey. The
tradition of substituting grape juice for wine, and calling it "unfermented wine" was begun by a
prohibitionist, who was also the communion steward in his Methodist Church. He was a dentist.
His name was Dr. Thomas Bramwell Welch.
Jesus had performed his first miracle by turning water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. In
one fell swoop, Dr. Welch also performed a miracle. As Alice Ann says, "Dr. Welch turned wine
into grape juice."
And now, like many of our modern Jewish brothers, we have traditions, but we don't know where
they came from. Using grape juice and bread with yeast in it are two modern practices that I
believe should be changed.
Here's why. Jesus himself established two significant elements of the Passover to be continued as
the same symbols in his own supper. He gave them to us as a picture of himself - pure, sinless,
unleavened. He gave us unleavened bread and unleavened wine as pictures of his pure body and
his pure blood - a picture of our Passover lamb to be passed down and told and retold to each
new generation. If we change those symbols, have we changed the picture Jesus gave us to a
picture Dr. Welch gave us?
Think about it.
I would like to share this short testimony with you. A while back, some friends told us of a friend
of theirs who did not know Jesus. He was an alcoholic, a pretty serious abuser, in fact. One day,
as he was driving along a highway, he saw a vision. He saw a table set with the Lord's Supper,
with unleavened bread and a glass of wine. As he watched in amazement, he heard Jesus say to
him, "You have desecrated what I have made holy." That vision changed his life. From that
moment on, he has not abused wine, ever, again.
I believe that. Jesus made wine holy. He dedicated it for particular uses. And though it is a
blessing, made holy from God, it can still be abused. And it is. But it does not have to be abused
to be used as one of God's gracious gifts.
One other thing about wine.
One should note that wine drunk during a meal will not intoxicate, but
wine taken afterward will. The Jewish custom of drinking wine before the
start of a meal has the effect of inducing the appetite while at the same
time adding a certain formality to the proceedings that follow. (from The
Jewish Holiday Kitchen, Joan Nathan, p. 268)
Even so, some of you may prefer not to have wine, for whatever reasons you may have - and
that's OK. Because of that, tonight, we also have grape juice. During the supper, we will be
draining our glasses four times. Drink whichever you choose.
We have cut the wine in half with water. We did that for two reasons. One is that many may be
unaccustomed to drinking wine. In that case, the water should help. But the most important
reason is that during Jesus' lifetime here, the Jews may have also cut their wine for Passover with
water. You pour your own, but I just want to caution, don't pour more of either wine or grape
juice than you can drink all of each time. We are going to drink those glasses dry four times
tonight, plus, whatever you drink with your meal. (To help you remember, we have pitchers in
two different colors tonight. Green is for grape juice - [clear] or white is for wine.)
We've tried to set two glasses (goblets) at each plate. Use one of them for water. Use the other
for your meal later, and for the four ceremonial cups of the Passover. Drink any of whichever you
would like with your meal, wine, grape juice, or water.
(O/H #5 - again - The Blood Of The Lamb)
In the Passover observance, each of the four cups of wine had a special significance. Each cup
was a reminder of God's promises through Moses in Exodus 6:6, 7 -
Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, "I am the Lord, and I will bring you out
from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their
bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great
judgments. Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and
you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from
under the burdens of the Egyptians.
In that statement of promises, God promised to set them apart
-- to sanctify them; to deliver them;
to redeem them; and he sealed a covenant with them. So, the four cups during the Passover meal
are:
One - the cup of sanctification
Two - the cup of deliverance
Three - the cup of redemption
Four - the cup of the covenant
You'll see the tremendous significance of that as we continue.
(O/H Off)
During the next few minutes, I want to transport you back to the time of Jesus. As I attempt to
draw some word pictures, please try to visualize what occurred. Try to place yourself in the
picture and into the circumstances of Jesus near the time of his death.
Jesus gave the invention of the Lord's Supper - and the observance of the Passover where the
Supper began - a very high priority. He gave it such a high priority that he spent approximately
one-fourth to as much as one-half of the very last day before His crucifixion totally involved in the
Passover.
Imagine that!
Four to twelve of his last 24 hours were spent with those closest to him, observing the Passover.
If Jesus attached that much importance to it, just how important is it? Shouldn't we want to know
more about it?
In Jerusalem, it is spring. God himself set the date for Passover to a time when life was being
renewed. When the former things have passed away and all things are becoming new. Winter is
over. Trees are budding. Flowers are blooming. Birds are building nests with their mates. The
newborn spring lambs are trying their legs and their voices, running, jumping, and bleating, as they
travel along with the flock.
God gave orders that His Passover be observed, during Nisan - the very first month of the Jewish
year, on the 15th day - actually, beginning at sundown on the 14th. It corresponds roughly to
"Easter" on today's calendar. God originally set up the Passover meal, with its ritual, to remind
His people - first the Israelites, then the Jews - of their delivery from slavery to freedom. From
oppression in Egypt to independence in their own land. He delivered them to freedom through the
waters of the Red Sea. In that water, he literally washed away the Egyptian military might which
had enslaved them.
It's now late Wednesday afternoon, the fourteenth - not Friday. The sun is beginning to hang low
in the sky. For days, the air in Jerusalem has been almost crackling with excitement. The city is
filled with visitors. Jews from all over the world have come to town. All the hotels and inns are
filled to capacity. There is not a vacant room anywhere. Tents belonging to some of the visitors
fill most of the open land around the city. Most of the people who live here have opened their
own homes to family and friends who have come back to Jerusalem for the feast. They do this for
three feasts each year.
Jesus had apparently pre-arranged with a friend to share his house with him and his disciples.
For days now, every Jew has been thinking about very little but the big Feast. During the previous
month it has been the subject of discussion and study in all the schools. For the last two Sabbaths
the Rabbis have been teaching about Passover in all the synagogues. Every Jew, all over the
world, has been coming to Jerusalem, getting ready for the memorial of both the birth-night of the
nation, and of its Exodus from Egyptian slavery. This has been a time of meeting old friends from
far away; making new friends; making offerings and purifications.
Like country folk coming to a big city sometimes do, some have hung around downtown to
marvel at the grand and awesome temple - it's been under construction now for 53 years or so. It
will not be finished for another 30 years. Just in time to be destroyed by General Titus of the
Roman Legions. National and religious pride alike are being stirred in what reaches far back to
the first Deliverance - and points forward to the final Deliverance.
Oh - you should have been here last week! Jesus and his disciples entered the city to the loud and
boisterous cheers of many of the citizens and visitors in the city. Our Master had sat on the back
of a young donkey colt for the ride into town.
People yelled, "Hosanna, to the son of David!" "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of
the Lord!"
Some even paved the road for our Lord with palm fronds. Some of us took off our cloaks and
laid them down on the road for the man's young donkey to walk on. Some of the Jewish leaders
who saw the goings-on were really upset.
Five days ago - on the 10th - Jesus' disciples purchased a lamb in the city. Most likely, Judas
paid for it from their common funds. It was a lamb less than a year old - one of last year's spring
lambs. He could not be less than eight days nor more than one year old. He was so beautiful and
so perfect! Not a scratch, not a spot, nor a blemish on him. The very finest of the flock. Likely,
friends of Jesus penned him up as God had directed, keeping him most of this week for the
Passover.
Last evening, the lady of the house we are in - with some of her children - began a solemn search
all over the place for yeast and anything with yeast in it. The task was divided up. In total silence,
with lighted candles, they searched and searched. The master of the house and the other children
looked outside. They all searched the entire property thoroughly, inside, outside, upstairs, and
down - behind furniture and under rugs. They looked for anything with yeast that might be
hidden or which might have fallen aside by accident - such as bread crumbs. God has said that
there is to be no yeast found "in your borders," so, the entire property has been searched. Early
this morning, the search was finished. The master of the house, in a great ceremony, assembled all
the family and burned everything they had found - destroying the yeast. They do this every year
at this time. They clean the whole property. (I guess it was God who invented spring cleaning!)
At about the time this morning that the yeast was being burned, Jesus was telling Peter and John
to come into the city to prepare for the Feast for him and the other disciples. According to God's
law, all Jews are to eat the Passover meal today. We do it in small groups. God told us to gather
families together so there are enough of us to consume one lamb entirely. If there are not enough
of us, then we are to invite a neighboring family in. In any case, we are not to leave any lamb 'till
morning. Any leftovers are to be burned up.
Perhaps, Peter and John took the lamb that had been penned up. One of them probably draped the
lamb over his shoulders holding onto his front legs on one side and his hind legs on the other. As
they walked up the hill toward the temple, they joined many others walking the same direction
with lambs for the same purpose. It was a happy, noisy, dusty group, walking up the hill, toward
the temple with their lambs.
As they walked into the magnificent temple, they saw two long rows of literally thousands of
priests - who were assisting those who had formed long lines in front of each of them. Tens of
thousands of men and boys were formed into lines that stretched for blocks, down and away from
the temple, from each pair of priests.
Perhaps, as they looked around, they found it hard to visualize what Jesus had told them just a
short time before. How could it happen that this amazing temple would be destroyed, so that one
of those huge stones would not be left standing on another?
Perhaps, after an hour or two, Peter and John came to the head of their line. John held the lamb's
front legs. Peter took the hindquarters and held them firmly, in case the lamb should squirm. But
the lamb didn't struggle nor make a sound as John quickly slashed the throat of the young animal.
One of the priests caught the lamb's blood in a bowl. After the last drop of blood had poured out
of the young lamb, the priest traded with his colleague for an empty bowl. The lamb's blood was
then passed in the bowl, hand to hand, up the line of priests to one standing nearest the altar.
There - at the altar, where God and man meet - the lamb's blood was poured out.
The temple was literally a great slaughter-house. Later today, the priests would wash out all the
blood from the Great Court with water.
While this great slaughter was taking place, the Levites lead the offerers in a solemn hymn of
praise. The hymn is recorded in the Psalms - 113 through 118. The sounds of thousands of men,
filling the temple with their voices, singing praises to God, must have thrilled them to the bone,
and seemed to shake the very massive temple walls.
Since noon throughout all Judea, all work has stopped. And now, as the sun begins to sink lower,
Peter and John begin to find their way back to the house where they are to meet Jesus and the
others.
When they arrived here, they gave the lamb to the woman of the house to be roasted. They took
the lambskin - according to custom - and gave it to the master of the house in appreciation for
use of this large, upstairs room. Perhaps it was a sheltered area on the roof of their house. Many
used their roof tops that way.
The Setting
And now, Jesus and those closest to him have come into this upstairs room. There's Simon, who
is also called Peter, and his brother, Andrew; James and the young John, Zebedee's sons; Philip;
Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; there's the other James, the son of
Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus - the twin; then, there's also the other Simon, a native of the land where
they live. And, of course, there's Judas. Along with Jesus - Judas probably has the most
significant role this evening. While they are all coming in and getting settled, John and Peter seem
excited as they describe to the others the hustle and bustle they found in town and at the temple
today.
The owner of the house and his family have prepared the room and the meal well. Since late
afternoon you could smell the lamb as it has been roasting. Earlier in the day, the rest of the feast
was cooked. At least enough lamb and trimmings have been prepared to feed from 13 to 20
young, hungry men.
Perhaps more than 1,400 other times before this, their ancestors had prepared in the same way,
with the same foods as on this special night. By now, the Passover Feast and the week of
Unleavened Bread which God gave to go with it, have developed into a finely-tuned ritual of
minute detail. Each detail of what is happening is important as a symbol.
As Jesus and the others begin to recline around the low table where the meal is waiting, they look
around the room. Visualize this with me.
Instead of being "in haste" as it was 1,400 years ago, when they were delivered from Egypt, the
meal has been eaten "at leisure" since the Jews inherited their own land. The head of the
household - in this case, Jesus - will lean one elbow on a cushion. It's there in place for him. He
will lean on his left elbow. They all recline at table, after the custom of the Greeks who
conquered their land over 360 years before.
This reclining in itself is a symbol of how good God has been to them, delivering them from
slavery in Egypt and giving them freedom and leisure in their own land. It was a place where they
could relax and be "at home" and without fear.
Here, the food is set on a very low table. In other houses tonight, it may be on a cloth spread on
the floor.
Not in Jesus' time, but In the 20th century, this ritual meal will be called a Sedar. The Hebrew
word sedar means, simply, order. The meal follows a particular order every time and in every
place. This sedar follows the order of the Haggadah (hah-GOD-uh), which means "a telling" - a
narrative - of some story. Jews have begun to apply the word sedar exclusively to this ritual
meal at the observance of Passover, because at each meal, generation after generation, as God
intended, the Passover story is told and retold to keep God alive in the Jew's mind and culture.
Years from now, in the twentieth century, many Jews will refer to this meal simply as a sedar
without referring to it as the Passover at all.
The table is set with a plate and a wine goblet in front of each place. A special plate is placed on
the table in front of the leader. In this case, it is a regular large platter. In some homes tonight, it
is a special plate designed specifically for the Passover story-telling. It would be a plate with
raised divisions in it to keep the separate items of the meal apart from each other.
The items on the plate itself are:
1. Roasted Lamb. The whole lamb is roasted and served. In the nineteen-hundreds, most often
lamb will not be eaten at all. Instead, there will be a piece of leg bone only.
2. Bitter Herbs are cut into small pieces. Parsley and grated fresh horseradish root are our bitter
herbs. They are symbolic of the bitterness of their slavery.
3. Charoses or Haroseth. This is a paste of finely chopped apples, nuts, and cinnamon, mixed
with a little wine. This item is symbolic of the mortar used by the Israelites while enslaved in
Egypt doing very hard construction work. Charoseth comes from the Hebrew word meaning clay
or mud. Is that how it looks to you?
4. Karpas. This is either parsley, celery, lettuce, onion or potatoes. Tonight it is celery.
Other items we can see, placed on the table before the Passover meal begins, include:
Three Matzohs. This is unleavened bread. Each of the three matzohs is a large, unbroken cake
or sheet, approximately one foot square or in diameter. They are folded separately into one or
two large linen cloths - or napkins, or they may be placed in individual Matzoh covers, designed
especially for this purpose.
Wine. A wine goblet is placed in front of each place setting. Several wineskins sit to one side.
They are filled with plain, table wine, fermented last fall during the harvest. There must be enough
to fill a large - at least a 10-ounce - goblet four times for each person. (Our goblets hold about 6
ounces - just a little more than half of theirs.) If a poor family cannot afford enough wine for the
supper - which is typical - their wine is provided by money from the "poor box" in the temple.
Tonight, there are at least five gallons prepared. It has been cut 50-percent with water, because of
its very strong taste. The strong taste came from being stored for six months in a goat skin, lined
with pitch.
Salt Water. A dish of salt water is placed within easy reach of each one at the table. More than
one dish is used since every one must dip their karpas in it. Some say that the salt water reminds
us of the tears they shed during the heavy oppression of slavery.
There is a Pillow, or a cushion, placed at the left side of the leader.
There in the center of the table is the Cup of Elijah. By tradition, a large goblet, filled with wine
has been placed near the center of the table. The tradition is that if the prophet Elijah does not
return during this meal, the Cup will remain untouched again tonight. At Jesus' last Passover, I
have not been able to determine exactly how he treated this portion of the tradition. We'll have
more about that later.
The Ceremony
This ceremony is conducted by the head of each family at home. Tonight, as in the wilderness,
usually only one family is at a single table. However, if the family is small, two or more combine.
This is normally a happy, sometimes boisterous, celebration of freedom. It was never somber.
Tonight, for the ceremony, Jesus and his disciples will recite the age-old story - the haggadah.
The Haggadah means, quite simply, the telling. They learned from their parents, the old, old story
of their salvation by the mighty hand of God. They recite it in the same traditional words each
Passover night. The purpose is to give proper reverence to God and to be a constant reminder to
each of them of the freedom He gave them in their own land.
About 300 years later, this traditional story will be written down when the Talmud is written. I
believe that during the time of Jesus, however, the Passover ritual had not been written down. It
was told and retold from memory. God had given instructions for parents to pass the story of
their deliverance down to their children. Their children were to do the same things with their own
children. They knew the story by heart.
(Hold up Haggadah)
Still later, it will be transcribed into a personal booklet, decorated and kept by each family - just
for this occasion - the Haggadah. Instead of reciting the story from memory, many families will
then read it each year.
By this time, Judas had completed his deal to betray his friend into the hands of some of the
important leaders in the city. He joined Jesus and the others as they came into the room and
reclined for the meal. After each had settled into place, the Master told them:
I have desired very strongly to eat this Passover meal with you before I
suffer. I am telling you that by no means shall I eat it any more until it is
fulfilled in God's kingdom.
When Jesus was satisfied that all were ready, he looked around the table. Seeing that each person
had a glass of wine in front of him - the cup of sanctification - he recited the Kiddush - the Wine
Blessing:
Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, Creator of
the fruit of the vine.
Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, who
selected us from among all people and exalted us among nations, and
sanctified us with his commandments. And you, Oh Eternal, our God,
have given us festival days for joy, this feast of the unleavened bread, the
time of our deliverance in remembrance of the departure from Egypt. For
us have you selected, and sanctified from among all nations, in that you
caused us to inherit your holy festival days. Blessed are you, Oh Eternal,
who hallows Israel and the festival days.
While still reclining and leaning on their left sides, each takes the time to drink his own glass of
wine. The first glass is the cup of sanctification.
(All drink the first cup)
Then, it is time for the ceremonial hand washing. Each goes to a sideboard where a small amount
of water is poured over their hands. They dry them on fresh towels, provided for the occasion.
Ordinarily, during the rest of the year, before the hand-washing ceremony, a special blessing is
said. During the Passover, the prayer is omitted. It was the tradition of frequent ceremonial
hand-washing - not associated with the Passover - which Jesus and his disciples did not do, and it
caused them to be chastised by some traditionalists.
(All wash their hands)
They all return to their places. After they are settled again, Jesus reaches for the Karpas - some
parsley or chervil. He dips it into the salt water and distributes a piece to each person. Doing so,
he says the prayer:
Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, Creator of
the fruits of the earth.
(All dip a sprig of parsley into the salt water dish and eat)
Then Jesus takes the plate of unleavened bread. He carefully takes the middle matzoh out -
breaks it in two - returns half to the middle - then hides the other half under the cloth for the
Afikomen, or Afterbread.
Having hidden the Afterbread, Jesus holds the bread dish high, all at the table reach out to touch
the dish and together they say:
(O/H #6 - The Unleavened Bread)
Everyone say:
This is the bread of affliction which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt;
let all those who are hungry, enter and eat thereof; and all who are in
distress, come and celebrate the Passover.
(O/H Off)
At this point, we watch as each one fills each wine cup for the second time.
(Allow time for each one to refill their wine glasses)
After this has been finished, while the bread plate is still being held high, the youngest person
present asks The Four Questions. Perhaps it was John who spoke:
(Have a young person read questions)
How is this night different from all other nights? Any other night we may
eat either leavened or unleavened bread, but on this night, only
unleavened bread;
All other nights we may eat any species of herbs, but this night only bitter
herbs;
All other nights we do not dip even once, but on this night twice;
All other nights we eat and drink either sitting or reclined, but on this
night, we all of us recline.
They replace the bread dish on the table and the whole group responds to the Questions:
Because we were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, and the Eternal, our God,
brought us forth from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.
And if the Most Holy, blessed is He, had not brought forth our ancestors
from Egypt, we and our children and our children's children would still be
in bondage to the Pharaohs in Egypt. Therefore, let us all tell of the
departure from Egypt; and all those who tell of the departure from Egypt
are accounted praiseworthy.
Blessed be the Omnipotent. Blessed is He who has given the Law to His
people Israel. Blessed is He whose Law speaks distinctly of the four
different characters of children: that is: the wise, the wicked, the simple,
and the one who has no capacity to inquire.
What does the wise son say? He asks: "What are these testimonies,
statutes, and judgments, which the Eternal, our God has commanded
you?" Then you shall instruct him in the laws of the Passover, teaching
him that after the unleavened bread, no dessert ought to be set on the
table.
What does the wicked son say? He asks: "What do you mean by this
service" By the word "you", it is clear he does not include himself, and
thus has withdrawn himself from the community; it is therefore proper to
respond to him by saying: This is done, because of what the Eternal did
for me, when I went forth from Egypt; for me and not for him; for had he
been there, he would not have been thought worthy to be redeemed.
What does the simple son say? He asks: "What is this?" Then you shall
tell him: with a mighty hand did the Eternal bring us forth from Egypt, from
the house of bondage.
But as for him who has no capacity to inquire, you must begin the
narration, as it is said: "And you shall relate to your son on that day, this is
done because of what the Eternal did for me, when I went forth from
Egypt."
Originally our ancestors were idolaters, but now the Lord has brought us
near to His service; as it is written: "And Joshua said to all the people,
'Thus says the Eternal, the God of Israel: "Your ancestors lived on the
other side of the river - Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of
Nahor - and they served other gods. And I took your father Abraham from
the other side of the river, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan,
and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac; and I gave to Isaac, Jacob
and Esau, and I gave unto Esau Mount Seir in his possession," but Jacob
and his children went down to Egypt.'"
Blessed is He, who strictly observes his promise to Israel. Blessed is the
Most Holy, who computed the end of the captivity, that he might perform
what He had promised to our father Abraham at the covenant between the
parts, as it is said: "And he said unto Abraham, "Know of a certainty, that
your seed shall be strangers in a land that is not theirs and shall serve
them, and they shall afflict them four hundred years. And also that nation
whom they shall serve, will I judge: they shall afterwards go forth with
great abundance.'"
At this point in the narrative, each picks up his wine cup and holds it high.
(Ask everyone to lift their second wine cup high, and repeat after me)
This one is the cup of deliverance. They say:
And it is that promise . . .
which has been the support . . .
of our ancestors and of ourselves, . . .
for not only one has risen up against us, . . .
but in every generation some have arisen against us to annihilate us, . . .
but the Most Holy, blessed is He, . . .
always delivered us out of their hands. . .
Then they put their cups down and continue the story:
(Let me explain here. Often you will hear the phrase, ". . . as it is said . . .". That comes from a
Hebrew style of teaching which quotes a statement from scripture, then breaks it down into
simpler phrases and explains each phrase. You'll see what I mean as we continue . . .)
Go forth and ask what Laban, the Syrian, intended to do to our father
Jacob. Pharaoh decreed the destruction of the males only, while Laban
designed to root out the whole, as it is said: "A Syrian had nearly caused
my father to perish; and he went down into Egypt and sojourned there with
a few persons, and there became a nation, great, mighty, and numerous."
And he went down into Egypt: compelled by the word of God; and
sojourned there by which we are taught that he did not go down to settle
there, but only to sojourn, as it is said: "And they said unto Pharaoh, 'We
have come to sojourn in the land; for your servants have no pasture for
their flocks; for the famine is in the land of Canaan: now, we pray you, let
your servants live in the land of Goshen,'"
With but a few persons: as it is said: "With seventy (three score and ten)
souls your ancestors went down to Egypt; and now the Eternal, your God,
has made you as the stars of heaven for multitude." And he became a
nation there: by which we are taught that the children of Israel were
distinguished even in Egypt.
Great and mighty: as it is said: "And the children of Israel were fruitful and
increased abundantly, multiplied, and became exceedingly mighty, and
the land was filled with them."
And numerous: as it is said: "I have caused you to multiply like the growth
of the field, and you have increased and become great, and adorned with
ornaments; your breast is fashioned, and your hair is grown whereas you
had been naked and bare.
And the Egyptians ill-treated us, afflicted us, and laid heavy bondage
upon us: as it is said, "Come let us deal wisely with them; lest they should
multiply, and it come to pass, that when a war should happen, they might
join our enemies, fight against us and depart from the land."
And they afflicted us: as it is said, "And they set taskmasters over them,
to afflict them with their burdens, and they built stone cities for Pharaoh -
Pithom and Raamses."
And they laid heavy bondage upon us: as it is said, "And the Egyptians
compelled the children of Israel to labor with rigor."
And we cried unto the Eternal, the God of our fathers, and the Eternal
heard our voice, saw our affliction, our sorrow, and our oppression. And
we cried unto the Eternal, the God of our fathers: as it is said, "And it
came to pass, after some time, that the king of Egypt died, and the
children of Israel sighed in consequence of the bondage, and they cried
and their complaint went up to God, in consequence of the bondage."
And the Eternal heard our voice: as it is said, "God heard their groaning,
and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and with Jacob."
And He saw our affliction: this denotes the separation from their wives, as
it is said, "And God saw the children of Israel, and God had knowledge of
their affliction."
And our sorrow: this denotes the destruction of the male children, as it is
said, "Every son that is born, you shall throw him into the river, and every
daughter you shall save alive."
And our oppression: this denotes the severity employed, as it is said,
"And I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress
them."
And the Eternal brought us out from Egypt, with a strong hand and with
an outstretched arm, with great terror, and with signs and wonders.
And the Eternal brought us out from Egypt: not by means of an angel, nor
by means of a Seraph, nor by means of a messenger; but the most Holy,
Blessed is He, in His own glory, as it is said, "I will pass through the land
of Egypt in this night, and I will smite every first-born in the land of Egypt,
both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment,
I, the Eternal."
I will pass through the land of Egypt: I, Myself, and not an angel. And I
will smite every firstborn: I, myself, and not a Seraph: And on all the gods
of Egypt I will execute judgment: I, Myself, and not a messenger. I, the
Eternal, I am He, and none other.
With a strong hand, this refers to the pestilence, as it is said, "Behold the
hand of the Eternal is upon your cattle which are in the field, upon the
horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the
sheep; a very grievous pestilence."
And with an outstretched arm: this refers to the sword, as it is said, "And
a drawn sword in His hand stretched out over Egypt."
And with great terror: this refers to the appearance of the Divine
Presence, as it is said, "Or has God tried to go and take unto him a nation
from the middle of another nation, by trials, by signs, and by wonders, and
by war, and a strong hand; by an outstretched arm and great terrors,
according to all that the Eternal, your God did for you in Egypt."
And with signs, this refers to the rod with which the miracles were
performed, as it is said, "And you shall take this rod in your hand,
wherewith you shall perform the signs."
And with wonders, this refers to the plague of blood, as it is said, "And I
will show wonders in the heavens, and in the earth blood and fire and
pillars of smoke."
Another explanation is: with a strong hand denotes two plagues, with an
outstretched arm, two more, with great terror, two more, with signs, two
more and with wonders, two more. -- These are the ten plagues which
the Most Holy, blessed is He, brought upon the Egyptians in Egypt, that is:
--
(Here splash a few drops of wine on the table as each plague is listed)
Blood, frogs,
vermin, flies,
murrain, boils,
hail, locusts,
darkness, and the slaying of the first-born.
Here, the Jews sometimes used a song to tell a part of the story.
(Play tape of "Dayanu")
In English, Die-aye`-noo means, "It would have been sufficient." As we recite this, please repeat
that line at the end of each phrase.
How many abundant favors has the Omnipresent performed upon us?
If He had brought us forth from Egypt, and had not inflicted judgment
upon the Egyptians, it would have been sufficient.
If He had inflicted justice on them, and had not executed judgment upon
their gods, it would have been sufficient.
If He had executed judgment upon their gods, and had not slain their first-born, it would have been sufficient.
If He had slain their first-born, and had not bestowed their wealth on us, it
would have been sufficient.
If He had given us their wealth and had not divided the sea for us, it
would have been sufficient.
If He had divided the sea for us, and had not made us pass through on
dry land, it would have been sufficient.
If He had made us pass through its midst on dry land, and had not drowned our oppressors in the sea, it would have been sufficient.
If He had drowned our oppressors in it, and had not supplied all our
needs in the wilderness during forty years, it would have been sufficient.
If He had supplied all our needs in the wilderness during forty years, and
had not fed us with manna, it would have been sufficient.
If He had fed us with manna, and had not given us the Sabbath, it would
have been sufficient.
If He had given us the Sabbath, and had not brought us to Mount Sinai, it
would have been sufficient.
If He had brought us near to Mount Sinai, and had not given us the Law,
it would have been sufficient.
If He had given us the Law, and had not led us into the land of Israel, it
would have been sufficient.
If He had led us into the land of Israel and had not built the temple, it
would have been sufficient.
How much more, are we indebted for the manifold bounties which the
Omnipresent has bestowed upon us! He brought us out from Egypt,
executed judgment on the Egyptians and their gods: killed their first-born,
gave us their wealth, divided the sea for us, caused us to pass through
the middle of it on dry land, drowned our adversaries in the sea, supplied
us with everything during forty years, fed us with manna, gave us the
Sabbath, led us to Mount Sinai, gave us the Law, brought us to the land of
Israel, and built the holy temple for us to atone for our iniquities.
It is important to mention three things: namely, the sacrifice of the
Passover, the unleavened bread, and the bitter herbs.
The Paschal Lamb -- for what reason is it eaten? Because the
Omnipresent, Blessed is He, passed over the houses of our ancestors in
Egypt, as it is said: "You shall say, it is a sacrifice of the Passover unto
the Lord, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt,
when he struck down the Egyptians, and spared our houses, and the
people bowed themselves and worshiped."
Then, Jesus lifted the Unleavened Bread again and said:
This Unleavened Bread which we now eat, what does it mean? It is eaten
because the dough of our ancestors had not time to become leavened,
before the supreme King of kings, the Most Holy, Blessed is He! revealed
Himself unto them, and redeemed them; as it is said, "They baked
unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought forth out of Egypt,
for it was not leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could
not tarry, neither had they made any provision for themselves.
Pointing on the plate to the bitter herbs (the horseradish):
This bitter herb which we eat, what does it mean? It is eaten because the
Egyptians embittered the lives of our ancestors in Egypt; as it is said,
"They embittered their lives with hard bondage, in mortar and brick, and in
all manner of labor in the field. All their labor was imposed upon them
with rigor."
In every generation each individual is bound to regard himself as if he had
gone personally forth from Egypt, as it is said, "And you shall relate to
your son on that day saying, this is on account of what the Eternal did for
me, when I went forth from Egypt."
Thus it was not our ancestors alone, whom the Most Holy, Blessed is He,
then redeemed, but us also did He redeem with them, as it is said, "And
He brought us forth from out of there, in order to bring us in, that He might
give us the land which He swore unto our ancestors."
He lifted the cup of wine and said:
Therefore, we are bound to thank, praise, laud, glorify, extol, honor, bless,
exalt, and reverence Him who performed for our fathers - and for us - all
these miracles. He brought us from slavery to freedom; from sorrow to
joy; from mourning to festivity, and from servitude to redemption. Let us
therefore sing a new song in his presence. Hallelujah!
Replacing the cup of wine on the table without drinking any, He said:
Hallelujah! Praise, Oh you servants of the Eternal! Praise you the name
of the Eternal! Blessed be the name of the Eternal, from henceforth and
for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof,
praised be the name of the Eternal. High above all nations is the Eternal,
His glory is above the heavens. Who is like unto the Eternal, our God
who lives on high? yet condescends to look down upon heaven and
earth? He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the
dunghill; to assign him a seat among princes, even with the princes of his
people. He sets up the barren woman to live in the house as a joyful
mother of children. Hallelujah!
When Israel went forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of
barbarous language; Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
The sea saw it happen and fled, the Jordan was driven back. The
mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. What is wrong with you,
Oh sea, that you did flee? Oh Jordan, that you were driven back? You
mountains, wherefore should you skip like rams? And you hills, like
lambs? From the presence of the Lord the earth shrunk back! From the
presence of the God of Jacob, who converts the rock into a pool of water,
the flint into a fountain of waters.
Again, he lifted the cup of wine and offered this blessing:
Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, who has
redeemed us and our ancestors from Egypt and has brought us to the
enjoyment of this night, to eat unleavened bread and bitter herbs. You,
Oh Eternal, our God, and God of our ancestors; may you bring us to enjoy
in peace other solemn feasts and sacred seasons, which approach us,
that we may exult in your holy service; that we may there eat of the
sacrifices and of the holy paschal offerings, whose blood shall be
sprinkled upon the side of your altar, for your acceptance. Then shall we,
with a new hymn, give thanks to You for our deliverance, and for the
redemption of our souls. Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, who has redeemed
Israel.
Blessed are you, Oh Lord, our God, who creates the fruit of the vine.
Then, each of them drank the second cup of wine -- the cup of deliverance.
(All drink the second cup)
(Leader washes his hands. After drying them . . .)
Following the drinking of the second cup, Jesus washed his hands again, this time, following it
with this blessing:
Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, who has
sanctified us with your commandments and commanded us to wash the
hands.
(Lift the matzoh plate)
Lifting and holding the two whole matzohs and the one which had already been broken, he blessed
the bread:
Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, who has
sanctified us with your commandments, and commanded us to eat
unleavened bread.
This time, he took some of the bitter herbs, dipped them into the charoseth and said: (Each mix
some horseradish with the charoseth, and eat.)
Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, who has
sanctified us with your commandments, and commanded us to eat bitter
herbs.
Taking the bottom matzah (not the afterbread), but the whole one on the bottom, Jesus distributed
it to everyone along with some bitter herbs and charoseth, then said:
Thus did Hillel: He took unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and ate them
together, in order to perform the Law, "With unleavened bread and bitter
herbs shall they eat it."
(All eat a bite of unleavened bread with parsley dipped in salt water, or if they desire, some
horseradish, along with charoseth. Or, make a sandwich of it, as they may have done. It was
called a "Hillel Sandwich".)
Next, comes the meal itself. Women bring in the full meal, which consists of generous portions of
all of the items on the ceremonial plate. All take their time, eating their fill. The food is delicious.
Generally, it takes an hour or more for this part of the evening.
During the banquet, the leader generally engaged in what was called "table talk." It was during
this time that the head of the household generally shared bits of his own wisdom with the others.
It was now, while they were eating, that Jesus made the statement about the one dipping with him
in the dish. He referred to an occasion when both he and Judas would simultaneously dip either
their unleavened bread or the bitter herbs into the Charoseth. Their eyes met as Judas recognized
that His friend knew . . .
Then Jesus said to Judas, "Whatever you have to do . . . get it done."
We see Judas as he leaves.
While everyone was still eating, Jesus rose from where he had been reclining. We see him go to
the sideboard where the water basin is kept. He strips off his clothes. Taking a towel, he wraps it
around his waist. With the water basin in his hand, the Master begins to wash the feet of his
disciples. When he comes to Peter . . . You remember the rest of the story. You can read it all
the way through John, chapter 16.
Jesus tells them about the many places to live in His Father's house. He gave them the command
to love each other; he promised to send the holy spirit for a Comforter; he taught them about their
dependence on him for spiritual life itself, comparing them to the vine and its branches; he taught
them further about their relationship with each other; he taught them about their relationship with
the world; he warned them that persecutions were ahead for them; he again promised the Holy
Spirit; He predicted his own death, now just a few hours away; he promised to answer their
prayers if they believe; he prayed for their unity with Him and the Father; for the success of their
efforts; and that God would give them glory in the future.
As we begin to eat, we'll read that section of scripture. Now, I believe we will be able to see
some significance we did not see before.
(Read or play tape of John's account of
Jesus' table talk, chapters 13, 14, 15, 16.)
By now, the banquet is finished, so they turn their attention back to the ritual and to telling the
story.
He fills their wine cups for the third time.
(O/H #7 - Third Cup (Redemption))
Again he prays, this time over the cup of redemption . . .
(lift the cup)
He says:
Let us say grace.
(All) The name of the Eternal be blessed from now unto eternity.
(Leader) The name of the Eternal be blessed from now unto eternity. Let
us bless Him, our God, of whose gifts we have eaten.
(All) Blessed is He, our God, of whose gifts we have eaten, and by whose
goodness we exist.
(Leader) Blessed is He, our God, of whose gifts we have eaten, and by
whose goodness we exist.
(Set the cup down . . .)
(O/H Off)
Then, the leader offers a lengthy prayer of thanksgiving for the meal and for the significance of the
entire observance.
Blessed is He, and blessed be His name!
Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, who feeds
the whole world with your goodness, and with grace, kindness, and mercy,
gives food to every creature, for Your mercy endures forever. And as
Your abundant goodness has never been deficient towards us, so may we
never be in want of sustenance for ever and ever; for the sake of Your
great name, for You are the God who feeds and sustains all, and deals
generously with all; and provides food for all the creatures that You have
created. Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, who gives food to all.
We will give thanks to you, Oh Eternal, our God, for having caused our
ancestors to inherit that desirable, good and ample land; and because you
have brought us forth from the land of Egypt, and redeemed us from the
house of bondage; and for the covenant, which you have sealed in our
flesh (circumcision of male children); for the law which you have taught us,
and for your statutes which you have made known to us; and for the life,
kindness, and mercy, which you have graciously bestowed on us, and for
the food with which you feed and sustain us continually every day and
hour.
And for all those things, Oh Eternal, our God, will we give thanks to you,
and praise you. Blessed be your name continually, in the mouth of every
living creature, for ever and ever; as it is written: "When you have eaten,
and are satisfied, then shall you bless the Eternal, your God for the good
land which He has given you." Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, for the gift of
the land, and for the food.
Oh Eternal, our God, we beseech you, have compassion on your people
Israel, on Jerusalem, your city, on Zion, the residence of your glory, and
on the kingdom of the house of David, your anointed; and on the great
and holy house, which is called by your name. You are our God, Father,
Pastor, and Feeder; our Maintainer, Supporter, and Deliverer. Deliver us
speedily from all our troubles; and permit us not, Oh Eternal, our God, to
stand in need of the gifts of mankind, nor their loan; but let us depend on
your full, open, holy, and extensive hand, so that we may not be put to
shame, nor ever be confounded.
Oh Lord, our God, remember us this day for good, visit us with your
blessing and save us to enjoy life. And with the word of salvation and
mercy, have compassion and be gracious unto us! Oh, have mercy upon
us and save us, for our eyes are continually towards you, for you, Oh
Lord, are a merciful and gracious King.
Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, our God, King of the Universe. Oh God,
you are our Father, King Almighty, Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier; the
Sanctifier of Jacob, our Pastor, the Shepherd of Israel; the generous King,
who deals generously with all; for He has been, is, and ever will be daily
generous towards us. He has dealt bountifully with us, as he does now,
and ever will - granting us grace, favor, mercy, ease, deliverance,
prosperity, blessing, salvation, consolation, maintenance, and
sustenance, and a peaceable life and every good for ever. And may we
never lack any good thing.
May He who is most merciful, reign over us, for ever and ever. May He
who is most merciful, be praised in heaven and on earth. May He who is
most merciful, be adored throughout all generations: be eternally glorified
among us; and be honored among us, to all Eternity. May He who is most
merciful, maintain us with honor. May He who is most merciful, send us
abundant blessings in this house, and on this table on which we have
eaten.
I don't know how Jesus handled this next phrase. He may have just omitted it.
May He who is most merciful, send us Elijah, the prophet of blessed
memory, to bring us the good tidings of salvation and consolation.
(O/H #8 - (Leader) May He who is most merciful bless . . .)
Then, he would have picked up here, again.
May He who is most merciful bless the head of this house; and the
mistress thereof; their house, their children, and all belonging to them . . .
Husbands present said:
. . . me and my wife . . .
Wives present said:
. . . me and my husband . . .
Anyone with children added:
. . . my children . . .
And everyone added:
. . . and all here present, us and all belonging to us.
(O/H Off)
He then continued the prayer:
As our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were blessed with all and
every good: Thus may He bless us all together with a complete blessing:
and let us say, Amen.
May they in heaven show forth their and our merit, for a peaceable
preservation: and may we receive a blessing from the Lord, and
righteousness from the God of our salvation: and may we find grace and
good understanding in the sight of God and man.
May He who is most merciful, cause us to inherit the day that is entirely
good.
I don't know what Jesus did with the next section of the blessing, but here it is as it was up to His
time:
May He who is most merciful, make us worthy to behold the day of the
Messiah and eternal life in the future state. He gives great salvation to his
King, and shows mercy to his Anointed; to David, and his seed forever.
May He who makes peace in his high heavens, grant peace unto us, and
all Israel, and let us say, Amen.
Then He continued:
Fear the Eternal, You his saints - for there is no want to those who fear
him. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the
Lord shall not want any good thing. Praise the Eternal, for He is good; his
mercy endures forever. You open your hand and satisfy the desire of
every living thing. Blessed is the man who will trust in the Eternal, and the
Eternal will be His trust.
I have been young and now I am old, yet have I not seen the righteous
forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
May the Eternal give strength to his people. May the Eternal bless his
people with peace.
Luke - the historian - was not here tonight. But, here is where I believe that Luke took up his
narrative. He was intimately familiar with this supper, recording the significant events from here
at this wine blessing to the end of the ceremony.
Following the wine blessing, we see them drink the third cup of wine -- the cup of redemption.
(Lift the cup high)
Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, who has
created the fruit of the vine.
(All drink the cup of redemption)
In earlier years, one of them - generally the leader of the Passover - would have gone to the door
at this point and opened it. This was to allow Elijah to come in if he happened to be outside.
Elijah was to be the "fore-runner" of the Messiah - one who pointed to Him. However, every one
at this table knew that John the Immerser was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Elijah's return.
Jesus had taught them that. Therefore, I believe that at the Supper we are witnessing, Jesus
omitted opening the door.
However, he may have recited the words normally said while the door was held open:
Pour out your wrath upon the heathen who will not acknowledge you, and
upon the kingdoms who invoke not your name, for they have devoured
Jacob, and laid waste his home.
Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your fierce anger overtake
them.
Pursue them in wrath and destroy them from under the heavens of the
Eternal.
Not unto us, Oh Eternal, not unto us, but unto your name give glory, for
your mercy and the truth's sake. Wherefore should the nations say:
"Where is now their God?" But our God is in heaven, whatsoever He
pleases He has made. Their idols are of silver and gold, the production of
the hands of man. Mouths they have, but speak not; eyes they have, but
see not; ears they have, but hear not; nostrils have they, but smell not;
they have hands, but feel not; feet they have, but walk not, neither do they
utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them, shall become like
them, also all those who confide in them. Oh Israel, trust in the Eternal,
He is your help and your shield. Oh house of Aaron, trust in the Eternal,
their help and their shield is He. Those who revere the Eternal, trust in
the Eternal, their help and their shield is He.
The Eternal has remembered us, He will bless us, He will bless the house
of Israel, He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless those who revere
the Eternal, the small as well as the great: May the Eternal increase you,
more and more, you and your children. You are blessed of the Lord, the
maker of heaven and earth. The heavens are the heavens of the Eternal,
but the earth has He given to the children of men. The dead praise not
the Eternal, nor do they who descend into the silent grave. But we will
bless the Eternal, from henceforth until evermore. Hallelujah.
I love the Eternal, for He has heard my voice and my supplications. For
He has inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I invoke him while I live.
The struggles of death compass me, and the pangs of the tomb seize me;
sorrow and grief befall me. On the name of the Eternal I call, I beseech
you, Oh Eternal, deliver you my soul! The Eternal is gracious and just,
and our God is merciful. The Eternal preserves the simple. I was
miserable and He saved me. Return unto your rest, Oh my soul, for the
Eternal has dealt mercifully with you. For you have delivered my soul
from death, my eye from tears, my foot from falling. I will walk in the
presence of the Eternal in the land of the living. I believe because I have
spoken. I am greatly afflicted. In my haste I said, all that is human is
deceptive.
What shall I render unto the Eternal for all his blessings towards me?
The cup of salvation will I raise, and upon the name of the Eternal will I
call. I will pay my vows unto the Eternal now in the presence of all his
people. Grievous in the sight of the Eternal is the death of his pious ones.
Oh Eternal, for I am your servant, I, your servant, the son of your
handmaid; you have loosened my bonds. To you will I offer a sacrifice of
thanksgiving; I will call upon the name of the Eternal. I will pay my vows
unto the Eternal, now in the presence of all his people. In the courts of
the house of the Eternal, in the midst of you, Oh Jerusalem. Hallelujah!
Praise the Eternal, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people; for His mercy
prevails over us, and the truth of the Eternal endures for ever. Hallelujah!
Give thanks unto the Eternal, for He is good, for His mercy endures for
ever. Let Israel now say, that His mercy endures for ever. Let the house
of Aaron now say, that His mercy endures for ever. Let those who fear the
Eternal now say, that His mercy endures for ever.
In distress I called upon the Eternal, and the Eternal answered and gave
me ease. As the Eternal is for me, I will not fear; what can man do to me?
The Eternal is for me, with those who help me, and I shall see my desire
on those who hate me. It is better to trust in the Eternal, than to rely on
man. It is better to trust in the Eternal, than to rely on princes. Though all
nations compass me, in the name of the Eternal I shall cut them off. They
surrounded me, yea they utterly compassed me about, but in the name of
the Eternal I shall cut them off. They compassed me about like bees, they
burned like a fire of thorns, in the name of the Eternal I shall cut them off.
Though you did harm to me, that I might fall, the Eternal supported me.
The Eternal is my strength and song, and He has been my comforter. The
voice of song and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand
of the Eternal does valiantly; the right hand of the Eternal is exalted, the
right hand of the Eternal does valiantly. I shall not die, but live on, and
declare the works of the Eternal. The Eternal may chastise me, but He
has not given me over unto death. Open the gates of righteousness for
me, I will enter through them, to give thanks unto the Eternal. This is the
gate of the Eternal into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise you,
for you have answered me and become my deliverance. The stone which
the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone. This has
proceeded from the Eternal, it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day
which the Eternal has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Eternal; we bless you from
the house of the Eternal. The Eternal is God, and it is He who grants us
light. Bring the sacrifice bound with myrtles to the horns of the altar. You
are my God, and I will praise you! Oh my God, I will extol you. Give
thanks to the Eternal, for He is good, for His mercy endures for ever.
All your works, Oh Eternal, shall praise you; your pious servants with the
righteous who perform your will, and your people, the house of Israel, with
joyful song shall give thanks, bless, praise, glorify, extol, reverence,
sanctify, and acknowledge your name, Oh our King, for to you it is good to
render thanksgiving, and pleasant to sing praise unto your name, for you
are God from everlasting to everlasting.
The soul of whatsoever has life, bless your name, Oh Eternal, our God,
the spirit of all flesh, continually glorify and extol your name, Oh our King;
you are God from eternity to eternity, and beside you we acknowledge
neither king, redeemer, nor savior; you redeem, deliver, maintain, and
have compassion with us, in all times of trouble and distress! We have no
King but you, You are God of the first; and God of the last; the God of all
creatures, the Lord of all generations. You are adored with all manner of
praise; who governs the Universe with tenderness, and your creatures
with mercy.
The Eternal neither slumbers nor sleeps, but rouses those who sleep,
awakes those who slumber, He causes the dumb to speak; He looses
those that are bound; He supports the fallen, and He raises up those who
are bowed down; and therefore, you alone do we worship. Although our
mouths were filled with melodious songs, as the fullness of the sea, our
tongues with shouting, as the raging billows thereof, and our lips with
praise, like the wide-extended firmament, and our eyes with brightness
like the sun and the moon, and our hands raised as the eagles fly
heavenward and our feet swift as the roe, our efforts could not render
sufficient thanks unto you, Oh Eternal, our God, and the God of our
fathers, or to praise your name for one of the countless deeds of love,
which you have conferred on us, and on our ancestors.
For you, Oh Eternal, our God, did redeem us from Egypt, and release us
from the house of bondage; in time of famine did you sustain us; and in
plenty did you nourish us. From the sword did you deliver us; from
pestilence you did save us; and from disease and raging sickness did you
relieve us. Hitherto your tender mercies have supported us, and your
kindness has not forsaken us.
Oh Eternal, our God, do not forsake us in the future. Therefore the limbs
of which you have formed us, the spirit and soul which you have breathed
into us, the tongue you have placed in our mouth, they shall worship,
bless, praise, glorify, extol, reverence, sanctify, and acknowledge your
sovereign power, our King. Every mouth shall adore you, and every
tongue shall swear unto you; every knee shall bend unto you; every being
shall bow down before you; every heart shall revere you, and all inward
parts and reins shall sing psalmodies unto your name; as it is written "All
my bones shall say, 'Oh Eternal, who is like unto you?'; who delivers the
weak from him that is too strong for him; the poor and needy from their
oppressor.
Who is like unto you? Who is equal unto you? Who can be compared
unto you? You Great, Mighty, and Love-inspiring God! Most High God!
Possessor of heaven and earth! We will praise, adore, glorify, and bless
your name.'" As it is said by David: "Bless the Eternal, Oh my soul! and
all that is within me, bless His holy name." You are the God! who is
mighty in your strength, who is great by your glorious name! Mighty for
ever, and awful in your fearful deeds; the King, who sits on the high and
exalted throne.
Who inhabits eternity? Most exalted is His name; as it is written:
"Rejoice in the Eternal, Oh you righteous ones, for to the upright, praise is
beautiful."
By the mouth of the upright shall you be praised, blessed by the
utterances of the righteous; extolled with the tongue of the pious; and
sanctified in the midst of saints.
And in the assemblies of many thousands of your people, of the house of
Israel, your name shall be glorified, Oh our King, throughout all
generations, for it is the duty of all created beings in your presence, Oh
Eternal, our God, and the God of our fathers, to extol, honor, bless, exalt,
magnify, glorify with song beyond all the utterances of the hymns and
psalms of David the son of Jesse, your servant, and your anointed..
Praised be your name for ever, Oh our King! God and King; great and
holy, in heaven and on earth! For unto you, Oh Eternal, our God and the
God of our fathers, appertains song, and praise, hymn and psalm;
strength and dominion; victory, greatness, and power, adoration, and
glory; sanctity, and majesty ; laud and thanksgivings henceforth unto
everlasting. Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, Almighty King, glorified with
praises, worthy of great thanksgiving, Lord of wondrous deeds, who
delights in songs of psalmody; King, Almighty, and Eternal.
Now, Jesus begins the part of the celebration which has bound us together with
Israel of old, and with all his disciples in
all times and in all places ever since. He takes the afikomen - the piece of bread he has hidden
and saved for this point in the supper. Following their eating of this afterbread, no one may eat
anything else before morning. He thanks God for the bread and asks God to bless it. We see him
as he breaks a piece for himself and passes the rest of the loaf around the table to the others. As it
passes each, they tear or break off a bite. They hold onto to it for the time being, because, by long
tradition, nothing may be eaten following their eating of the afterbread.
(Break the afterbread and pass it around. Use other pieces of matzoh if it is too small to serve
everyone a good-sized bite.)
When all have been served, we hear Jesus say:
This bread is my body, which is given for you. Do this, remembering me.
(All eat the bread)
Now we see them as, first Jesus, then each of them fills his cup for the fourth and final time of the
evening -- the cup of the covenant.
(Have everyone fill their cups. Hold them high)
Then, for one final time tonight, we hear the wine blessing.
Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, Creator of
the fruit of the vine.
And then, with obvious reference to both the third and fourth cups - the cup of redemption (the
forgiveness of sins), and the cup of covenant - we hear Jesus say:
Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is
poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I will not
drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new
with you in My Father's kingdom. This cup, which is poured out for you, is
the new covenant in my blood. All of you drink of it.
(Drink the fourth cup)
They drink the fourth cup and Jesus continues:
Blessed are you, Oh Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, for the wine,
the fruit of the vine, and for the produce of the field, and for that desirable,
good, and spacious land which you granted our ancestors to inherit, to eat
of its fruit, and be satisfied with its goodness. Have compassion, Oh
Eternal, our God, upon us, on Israel your people, upon Jerusalem your
city, on Zion the residence of your glory, and upon your altar and your
temple.
After this, we hear them sing a hymn, then leave the room. Their destination is the Garden. Jesus
has an appointment to keep.
Hallal is the most general Hebrew word for praise. Its original meaning is to shine, then later, it
meant to make clear, and even later, it meant to exclaim in a loud voice. It's the source for the
word Hallelujah, which, of course means "Praise the Lord."
This is the hymn they sang . . .
(Read the Hallel from the program)
Are you tired, yet?
I'm sure you are getting a little weary. And, I'm also sure you didn't have to walk everywhere
you went today, as our Lord and his disciples did.
Just imagine how Jesus and the eleven must have felt by now. When they reached this point - the
end of the Passover celebration - they left the upper room and went to the Garden of
Gethsemane. Is it any wonder they fell asleep while Jesus was praying, alone?
I'm not sure that what we just experienced is in every small detail what actually transpired that
night. However, I do believe it is about as close as we can get. There may be a few technical
questions that remain unresolved through the years, but not many.
What we are hoping and praying for is that you will go away from here, not just thrilled again by
the old, old story. And that you will not just tell others about what you experienced this evening,
but that you will pray about whether you should do this yourselves among your own circle of
friends, your fellowship, your church, or your temple. If you'd like to . . . please be in touch with
us. We would be blessed to help.
(O/H #9 - Passover/Our Passover: blood of the lamb . . . washed in the
blood of our Lamb)
On that first Passover in Egypt, the blood of the lamb was sprinkled around their doors. When
God saw it, he passed over them, saving them from death. Beginning the next year in the
wilderness, wine began to symbolize the blood of the lamb in the ritual. In the upper room, some
of that wine was poured out as the plagues were mentioned.
Following the plagues, the blood of the paschal lamb on the door saved each Israelite. Before
tomorrow night, on this Passover day, Jesus' blood - not the lamb's blood - not wine - but the
blood of our Passover Lamb would be poured out to save each of us from the plagues of sin.
Each
