John, Last Supper
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer jerry@schmoyer.net
http://india.christiantrainingonline.org/
contact me if you are interested in more materials, information, meal recipes, daily devotions, Power Point, etc. on this subjects.
OPENING
Sit here as they did as a family then
Arrange chairs to better see
Don’t leave until dinner break
notes in devotional booklet
Attitude of prayer during whole evening, pray for me, those sitting your table
thanks to those preparing food
BACKGROUND
Going back 2,000 years in our minds this evening
JESUS alive, ministry 3+ years
He’s taught, healed and called people to give up all to follow Him
I AM ONE WHO RESPONDED TO HIS CALL, left everything to follow Him
Some responded, but most rejected Him
Four day before the meal we are observing tonight Jesus entered town on a donkey
triumphal entry, teaching in temple – LAMB SELECTION DAY
Religious leaders plotting death, deal with Judas – KING REJECTED
Before crucifixion ONE MAJOR EVENT had to take place
-to fulfill prophecy
-to prepare the disciples
-to put it all together for us
PASSOVER
oldest Jewish institution, with exception of Sabbath – still celebrated today
DATE SET BY GOD: NISAN 14
Sundown Thursday, April 13 to Sundown Friday, April 14, 33 AD
Galileans & Pharisees = Passover day Thurs sunrise to Fri sunrise
Nisan 14 started at sundown Thursday so ATE Passover on Nisan 14
Judeans & Sadducees = Passover day Thurs sunset to Fri sunset
Nisan 14 started at sundown Thursday so KILLED LAMB Nisan 14 3 PM
ATE meal after sunset, so actually ate Nisan 15
Thus BOTH celebrated Passover on Nisan 14, but ended up being different days
Worked well for Jerusalem from 100,000 to 2 ½ million
Needed 250,000 lambs killed, butchered at altar
2 Passover celebrations worked much better
THUS Jesus
ATE Passover with disciples on Nisan 14 (Thursday evening)
DIED on cross when Passover lamb killed Nisan 14 3 PM
Off cross by sundown – Friday Sabbath & Passover meal Jud/Sad
Jesus knew He would die next day, this His last time with them.
Disciples sent out that morning to prepare Passover in Upper Room
UPPER ROOM
Only in best houses, extra room upstairs
Downstairs rooms used to store things, sleep at night (people & animals)
1. PREPARATION
House totally cleaned, NO food with leaven allowed to remain anywhere.
Special set of dishes and cooking pans used only for Passover gotten out and ready.
First-born son fasted whole day before the Passover meal.
(USE DUST PAN & BRUSH)
“Bedikath Chametz” – Previous evening the head of the family would search for and collect any leaven left in the house (Ex 12:19-20).
-After searching by candlelight (Zech 1:12), they would burn it.
-Pictures SIN being removed, as leaven is a picture of sin (I Cor. 5:6-9; 16:7-8; Gal. 5:9)
-Teaches us to have no sin when partaking of Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:28)
PRAY before and after, asking God to remove all leaven in home (lives)
US: Paul says we are to be clean before LS – inside!
PRAY AND CONFESS SIN
2. TABLE ARRANGEMENT
‘Last Supper’ painting gives wrong idea of how all sat at table
reclined around low table
Reclined to eat (in Egypt were dressed with sandals and staff ready to go). This showed free
Table was LOW with rugs or mats or cushions on 3 sides to recline on. Purpose of the table was so things wouldn’t spill and to keep away from bugs and dirt on floor.
Everyone wore their best garments (Jesus had his best seamless robe on when crucified).
Participants were Jesus and the 12 disciples. The owner of the home was not present (perhaps he or his servant served). None of the women were present, either. This was man/leadership business this night.
US: you SIT at TABLE – way we do it today
KEEP symbolic truth He taught that night
ADAPT cultural aspects to our culture today
3. ON THE TABLE
They did not use dishes to eat back then, there was only a serving dish when the time came to eat. Usually one large dish was brought out at a time.
They had no knives, forks, spoons (a recent invention used by Western civilization). Food was eaten by the fingers, or a piece of bread used as a spoon/scoop.
Eating- stood for fellowship, and those who shared the same bowl established a close bond of friendship forever, even on to their children.
All shared common drinking glass/cup.
Pitcher of grape juice was put on the table. Jews didn’t use fermented grape juice at Passover.
Jews in wilderness had no door posts, so they substituted drinking grape juice for putting blood of lamb on the door posts. Juice poured stood for the blood shed, and juice drunk stood for the blood applied.
Four times cups filled and juice drunk, from 4 “I wills” in Ex. 6″6-7:
CUP OF SANCTIFICATION (start of service)
“I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians”
CUP OF JUDGMENT (before meal)
” I will rid you out of their bondage.”
CUP OF REDEMPTION (after meal)
“I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.”
CUP OF PRAISE (end of service)
“I will take you to me for a people.”
SHOFAR SOFAR sound when 3 stars seen showing evening – start of day for Jews
The evening started at SUNSET – when first 3 stars were visible
Priest on the corner of the temple would blow the SHOFAR
4. CANDLES LIT (“Brechat Haner”)
First even was lighting the candles
“The Lord is my light and salvation – whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1
Done by the LADY of the house because Messiah (“Light”) come from seed of the woman
WIFE of man at head of table, or other woman, get matches & light candles
Head of family says:
“As we kindle the festival lights, we pray for the illumination of the Spirit of God to bring great personal meaning to this, our Passover celebration.”
As she lights the candles she says:
“Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by the commandments and has commanded us to kindle the Festival-light.
“Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us in life, and has preserved us, and has enabled us to reach this season.”
5. CUP #1 – SANCTIFICATION (Kadeysh ‘Ka-DAYsh’ or ‘KID-ish’
“I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.” Ex 6:6
This first cup sanctifies the meal, sets it apart from common meals.
JESUS (Ye-SHU-a) did all this in Last Supper – called (JESHUA Ye-SHOE-a)
Luke 22:14-16 spoken by Christ at this time.
“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
EAGERLY Socially, emotionally – Wanted/needed their fellowship, support
Spiritually – Reinforced by truths of it
Theologically – Teach @ His death/res, institute Lord’s Supper
Male head of the table pours cup for all while they or I say this.
The Kiddush is said before the cup is drunk.
“Blessed are You, O Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine. “
US: PRAY TO SANCTIFY THE MEAL, as we always pray before eating
Luke 22:17-18 spoken by Christ at this time.
“Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
Cup 1 drunk while reclining on left elbow.
6. HAND WASHING #1 (Urchatz ‘Er-HATZ’ )
“Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…” Psalm 24:3-4
Host washed own hands and then took bowl of water and towel around to all to symbolically act out their purification, too.
A dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Lk 22:24
Outside: feet from dirty road, lowest slave’s job, disgusting
FEET close to each other’s face!
Inside: hearts jealous, competing, none wanting to submit
At this point Jesus washed the disciples feet FOR them. (Luke 22:24-30; John 13:1-17)
Talk about how humbling this must have been for them….
Talk about PETER luo (complete bath) nipto (washing)
TAKE UP TOWEL, BOWL, ETC. and demonstrate how foot washing done with
7. SEDER PLATE BROUGHT OUT
Use lettuce/salt water and horseradish
Contained 2 bitter herbs (lettuce and salt water; and horseradish) as well as matzo.
8. BITTER HERBS (parsley) (Karpas ‘CAR-pas’ )
“the Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.” Exodus 2:23
Bitter Herbs (lettuce or parsley) = bitterness of slavery in Egypt
Sweet to the taste at first, then becomes bitter = Egypt at first gave the Jews the best part of the land, then embittered them
Lettuce or parsley = picture of hyssop used to smear blood on doorposts
Saltwater = tears shed in Egypt
Greens dipped by all
Blessing given by head of the meal:
“Blessed are You, O Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruits of the earth.”
FAST BROKEN!
Why with bitter herbs? To remember all God saved you from!
As YOU partake thank God in heart for all He has saved you from!
Where would you be right now if not for Jesus? What life like?
Greens eaten by all
9. MAIN COURSE BROUGHT OUT
Them: one dish at a time, us just talk about what they ate now
LAMB: picture of the lamb’s blood shed to protect them in Egypt (today have an old shankbone on the table as a reminder because they can’t sacrifice any animals without a temple)
CHAROSETH: picture of the clay used to make bricks
UNLEAVENED BREAD called MATZO
Matzah: Hebrew word for “unleavened bread” and refers to the special bread without leaven eaten on Passover and during the Feast of Unleavened Bread
10. MIDDLE MATZO BROKEN(Yachutz ) MATZAH =
Talk about LEAVEN (package of leaven)
Leaven: macroscopic bacteria in yeast that ferments and produces a gas, a picture of sin for it destroys if not stopped
laven = microscopic bacteria in ‘yeast’
Fermentation causes gas which destroys unless heated
Picture of SIN (starts small, grows, destroys)
“Don’t you know that a little leaven works through the whole dough? Get rid of the old leaven that you may be a new batch without leaven — as you really are. For Messiah, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.” I Corinthians 5:7
Matzo = unleavened bread, flat and round, picture of sinless Christ pierced in shape of cross
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we were healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
“I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have PIERCED, and they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son.” Zechariah 12:10
Three matzos (on Sabbath had 2 for the double manna on Sabbath, on Passover had one more than that!) Picture of the Trinity
Prayer given:
“This is the bread of affliction which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. All that are hungry come and eat. All that are in need, come and celebrate the Passover with us.”
UNITY MATZA-TOSH
3 matzos, 5 napkins = layer into 3 matzo, 4 napkins (MAKE UNITY)
Middle Matzo taken = picture of Christ leaving God the Father and God the Spirit in heaven and coming to earth (Incarnation)
Middle Matzo broken = Christ’s body broken for sin
lst Half back between other 2 matzos = death Jesus’ soul/spirit went to heaven
2nd Half: (Afikomen = Greek “One Who Has Arrived”) back into napkin, wrapped up and hidden until cup 3 = picture of Jesus’ body wrapped in linen and buried til day 3
Man at each table make up “Unity” with 3 matzo & 4 napkins.
Have youngest child/person at each table hide it somewhere
11. STORY OF THE EXODUS (Maggid ‘Ma-GEED’ )
PASSOVER a teaching feast (all feasts, offerings, tabernacle, dress, etc = AV of God’s truth)
12. THE FOUR QUESTIONS (Ma Nishtanah ‘Ma Nish-TA-nah’ )
“When your children ask you, ‘What does t his ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them…” Ex 12:26
By the youngest child (disciple John at the Lord’s Last Supper)
FOCUS: TEACHING CHILDREN at Passover meal top priority
Children to front as in Children’s time if possible
Child: “Why is this night different from all other nights?”
The youngest child continues to ask:
1. “On all other nights we eat either leavened or unleavened bread; why on this night do we only eat matzo which is unleavened bread?”
2. “On all other nights we eat vegetables and herbs of all kinds; why on this night do we eat only bitter herbs?”
3. ” On all other nights we never think of dipping herbs in water or in anything else; why on this night do we dip the lettuce in salt water and the bitter herbs in charoseth?”
4. “On all other nights we eat either sitting upright or reclining, why on this night do we all recline?”
“LAMB” focus of Passover, why this night is different
SHEEP -valuable for food (meat, milk, cheese) and material (wool, skins)
-used for sacrifice (innocent blood shed to cover sin)
SIN: do, think, don’t do, do for wrong motive
Perfect God allow no sin in His presence (operating room)
Deserving of eternity in hell
BEFORE CREATION OF WORLD planned to come to earth to be our substitute on cross
ANIMAL SACRIFICES teach, picture = innocent blood must be shed to pay for sin
EDEN first, cover Adam and Eve with animal skins – innocent blood shed to cover sin
COMMANDED BY GOD for all to do, all looked to final sacrifice for sin – Lamb of God
Adam, Eve, Able, Noah, Job, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph
EXODUS
Joseph into slavery, Jews into Egypt, 400 years of bondage, Moses born, burning bush
“Let my people go” – 10 plagues
DEATH
LAMB SKIN from 2000 lamb– pass around
Children return to seats
Read Exodus 12:1-13
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, “This is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.
Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.
If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are.
You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.
The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.
Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.
That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.
Do not eat the mean raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire — head, legs and inner parts.
Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it.
This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand.
Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.
On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn — both men and animals — and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt.
I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
PASSOVER
Exodus is a picture of physical deliverance, but it foreshadows the spiritual deliverance Christ will provide and shows that in picture form.
LAMB = JESUS
John the Baptizer to followers: “Behold the Lamb of God” 2x
FIRST name given to Jesus when started ministry leading to crucifixion!
Why use that name? Lamb As A Sacrificial Animal
Philip to the Ethiopian: Isa 53 “He was led like sheep to slaughter, and like a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”
= Philip applied it to JESUS
Paul: For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. I Cor 5:7
Peter: but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. I Pt 1:19
PASSOVER LAMB picture of what Jesus was to be/do for us when He came
Foretold what Messiah would do
LAMB CHOSEN:
(David’s stuffed Lamb ???)
Lamb gentle, innocent, meek, dependent
Unblemished – perfect, spotless
Male – strength, energy
1 year – prime of life, not old & tough
PASSOVER LAMB (Pesakh ‘PAY-sock’ )
Picked 10 Nisan – set aside to make sure sinless
Jesus in public view -4 yrs to make sure sinless
Set apart by nation on triumphal/tearful entry to die for nation
LAMB KILLED– 14 Nisan
Live lamb did no good, had to die
Christ’s life condemns us!
Substitute – hands placed on to identify, confess sins
Killed by one who represented all
Nisan 14, 1441 3 PM (Jesus Nisan 14, 33 AD 3 PM)
Next day thousands killed in temple ( 1/4 million)
Died 3 PM, same time as Jesus on Cross
Difference – Jesus didn’t stay dead!
LAMB’ BLOOD
Blood became the cleansing agent
Blood must be applied: no good in lamb
Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins”
Nothing else would do: gold, jewels, good works, etc.
Our good works like filthy rage (Isa), dung heap rubbish (Phil 3:8)
On doorposts
Not roof for only angels to see
But for public testimony to all
With hyssop – used for purification
Top, sides – shape of cross
JRS MODEL
Then enter house (“through the blood)
Stay inside all night (death outside)
Jews as deserving of death as Egyptians
“Pass Over” – angel of death saw the blood
Blood = JESUS’ BLOOD
We have redemption through Christ’s blood. Eph 1:7
The blood of Jesus Christ God’s Son cleanses us from all sin. I John 1:7
and not through the blood of goats and calves but through His own blood He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Heb 9:12
to Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood. Rev. :5b
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more, then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. Rom 5:8-9
OT sacrifices: THROW RUG to cover sin
Jesus: CLEANSER to remove sin
LAMB chosen, killed, blood applied
LAMB’S BODY
Eaten – not killed to look at, but personally identify with it
Nourishment, sustenance for life, strength
John 6:53-57 “eat my flesh, drink my blood…”
Same night – can’t put off partaking
Roasted – lamb faced death, HELL fire
SAFE INSIDE
All eaten, Nothing left to decay – Jesus’ body didn’t decay
Eaten with MATZO (no leaven) 7 days – holy living
Leaven (fungus of yeast) = sin, corruption
No time to let it rise, had to get out of Egypt fast
13. CUP #2 – JUDGMENT
Male head of each table fill each one’s cup 1/3 full again. (switch DVD’s)
Cup 2 stands for God’s judgment on sin of the Egyptians.
“I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.” Exodus 3:19-20
When the Egyptians filled up their cup of iniquity the judgment of God fell on them and drowned them in the Red Sea, and this is the cup of Judgments.
DAYENU (“We would Have Been Satisfied”) (‘die-AYE-new’ )
Tribute to all God has done for them over the years, more than they ever expected
The leader picks up and blessed the cup.
“Blessed are You, Lord, our God, ruler of the Universe, creator of the fruit of the vine!”
All drink the cup and pass it around
14. HALLEL (PSALM 113-114) (Hallel )
“Hallel” is the name given to psalms of praise starting with “Hallelujah” (which means “Praise God.”)
Here Psalm 113 and 114 are recited responsively.
PSALM 113
LEADER: Hallelujah! Praise, oh servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord.
ALL : Blessed be the name of the Lord from now on and forever.
LEADER : From the rising of the sun to its setting,
ALL : The Lord’s name is to be praised.
LEADER : The Lord is high above all nations;
ALL : His glory is above the heavens.
LEADER : Who is like the Lord our God, enthroned on high,
ALL : Who humbles Himself to look upon heaven and upon earth!
LEADER : He raises the poor out of the dust,
ALL : And lifts the needy out of destruction.
LEADER : To seat them with princes,
ALL : With the princes of His people.
THEY sang these words to tunes familiar to them
NOW WE’LL sing some of the same words to tunes familiar to us
15. HAND WASHING #2 (Rachatz )
Hands are now washed to be clean to eat the meal
This blessing is given by the leader”
“Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Ruler of the world, who made us holy by His commandments and commanded us concerning the washing of hands.”
16. MATZO IS EATEN (Matzo )
The matzo unity (the 3 standing for the Trinity) is brought out.
Head male at each table does this.
The blessing is said:
“Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Ruler of the world, King of the Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.
Leader breaks olive-size pieces off the middle (and, if necessary, the upper one too), and gives a piece to everyone.
Another blessing is given:
“Blessed Are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the eating of unleavened bread.”
All eat their matzo together. Each one eats.
17. BITTER HERBS (HORSERADISH) (Maror ‘MA-roar’ )
Bottom matzo is broken into olive-size pieces and dipped into bitter herb
Wait, all eat together
Horseradish = bitterness of Egyptian bondage, persecution, suffering
“So the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. They made their bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and all kinds of work in the fields.” Ex 1:12
Blessing said by leader:
“Blessed are You, O Lord, our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the eating of bitter herbs.”
Everyone eats the horseradish together.
18. CHAROSETH (Kharoset ‘*Ha-RO-seth’ ) *like clearing throat (chhh)
Leader takes 2 olive-size pieces of matzo from the bottom and picks up charoseth between them, like a sandwich.
Charoseth: reddish-brown mixture of chopped apples, nuts, spices, etc. representing the clay from which the slaves made their bricks. In Jesus’ day also mixed in figs, nuts, dates, pomegranates, almonds, and cinnamon bark or tube (to remind them of the straw they mixed with the clay bricks).
Sweet taste reminds them of servitude as prelude to sweetness of redemption.
Even the most bitter of circumstances can be sweetened by the hope we have in God
Darkest before the dawn!
Matzo given out by leader, then dish of charoseth passed around.
Jesus made a special gesture of honor and love to Judas for He dipped and handed this to him (called the “sop”). This is where the account of Judas’s betrayal and Peter’s denials being predicted fit in (Mt. 26:15-21; 31-35; Mk. 14:18-21, 17-31; Lk. 22:21-23,31-38; Jn. 13:18-38)
Heavy on Jesus’ heart is the coming crucifixion & physical pain
Spiritual separation from God great, too
First must face rejection by those He loves: Judas & Peter
JUDAS Talk @ seating arrangement, curious Peter across the table,
Jesus seating
Judas by Jesus
John behind Jesus
Peter across from Jesus
John leaning back to Jesus and asking, etc. – Judas in seat of honor
-“one of you will betray me” = “one of you will DELIVER ME UP”
-“Is it I?” all asked – why all think it was them?
Feel guilty because Jesus just rebuke them for their pride and ambition
doubly ashamed when Jesus washed their feet
didn’t trust themselves
-“It would have been better for that man had he never been born”
degrees of punishment in hell related to one’s accountability & rejection
-Judas: “Master, is it I?”
master = teacher – Judas rejected his teachings for money and glory
-Peter calls across table, asks John find out who it is so He does, Jesus tells him
-“SOP” (KJV) given Judas was this charoseth, most special part of meal!
-Peter missed it, didn’t hear right, still concerned @ HIM being one betray Jesus
Jesus couldn’t talk @ res., etc. with unbeliever Judas there
Judas forced to go, now or never to turn in Jesus
clock starts ticking, first domino knocked down
Man give out ‘sop’ to person on his right, then each person get some charoseth.
(make another for self)
19. MEAL IS EATEN (Shulchan Orech ‘sho-CANE o-RECH’ )
Full course gourmet meal served; appetizer, soup, chicken/turkey/kid/lamb, etc. If lamb, it is partly boiled and partly roasted so it doesn’t resemble the sacrificed lamb as they can no longer sacrifice. What they are thus eating, in effect, is the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for since AD 70 it stopped being the Passover. Today they use as egg (roasted) which they cut and dipped in salt water to lament the fact they have no place to offer sacrifices for sin.
SEDER today: no lamb (no temple to sacrifice lamb for nation)
PASSOVER: us so far, up to now
LAMB is what makes the difference!
PRAYfor meal
Announce how to get, serve, what to eat (matzo & juice on table to eat) etc)
Grape juice is the beverage – one cup for each to drink
THANKS to all for work
COME AND LOOK at models in front
ENJOY YOUR MEAL!
19. MEALTIME CONVERSATION by Jesus & disciples, same as here
During the meal Jesus comforted the disciples (John 14:1-31a).
During this time Peter brags he’ll never leave Jesus, Jesus fortells his betrayal
Jesus knew His time with the disciples is short
Tells them things they will need for when He is gone
20. AFIKOMEN EATEN (Tzaphun ‘Tsa-FOON’ – name of the ceremony)
(‘ah-fee-KO-men’
)
This is the final food of the Passover meal, so this will be the last taste left in the mouth (very significant to the Jews).
The hidden (buried) Afikomen (1/2 of the middle of the 3 matzos) is found and ransomed (redeemed) – (price paid to whoever finds it, like Jesus ransomed us with His blood.
REDEEM: buy back what was yours (slave, boy and toy boat)
LEADER AT TABLE: original owner of Afikomen, why buy back what was his?
GOD created man, man ran away into sin, must buy back with blood of Jesus!
Give 25 cents to child who gets it
Each table does the same thing – leader holds it
Finding and unwrapping the Afikomen is a picture of Jesus resurrected (true Bread of Life, Manna of God)
With this Jesus instituted the bread of the Lord’s Supper: “This is my body.”
Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat: This is my body.” Mt 26:26
TOOK IT = voluntarily, not forced, etc.
Jesus made Himself of no reputation and took on the form
of a servant and was made in the likeness of man Ph 2:7
IS = represents, doesn’t become body of Jesus
That is how listeners would have understood it
BLESSED IT = sanctified, set apart for a specific purpose
NOT reminder of Egypt but of Jesus!
Picture of He Himself who was set apart for salvation from birth
US pray, asking God’s blessing on this Lord’s Supper here
BROKE IT = done by Himself, not by anyone else
Not died by Jews, Romans but own voluntary gift
No man takes my life from Me, I lay it down of Myself.” Jn 10:18
Genesis 22 (same mountain where Jesus now was & was crucified)
Isaac: “where is the lamb?”
Abraham: “God will provide HIMSELF a lamb” – it was Himself!
God withheld Abraham’s hand, SUBSTITUTE provided
God not withhold hand on own Son
Isaac & Jesus: willing, submissive sacrifices
GAVE IT = free, unconditional gift given to disciples
He gave his Live a ransom for many. Mt 20:28
Disciples just RECEIVED it – hand out & received it (like SALVATION)
FREE GIFT provided by another, just accept it
INVITATION given – if haven’t accepted salvation….Accept in heart when accept matza
Open heart, believe what we’ve been saying about Jesus, invite Him in…
Recognize own need, sin, lack, rebellion – accept His gift to remove it
Me give out matzo to those at my table, head men at their tables do same
(if can’t walk around table to do it, pass it down to others)
People just ACCEPT it – like free gift of salvation
EAT IT after receiving – show accept the free gift
21. CUP # 3 – REDEMPTION (Boraych )
The cup is filled again.
LEADER at each table make sure all cups have juice in them again switch DVD’s)
“Blessed are you, O Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. Let us gladly drink together.”
Pouring a picture of Jesus’ blood poured out, shed for us
Number 3 stands for deity (3 days in the grave until resurrected, like Afikomen found)
This is where Jesus instituted the cup of the Lord’s Supper: “This is my blood.”
This act ended the Old Testament, and the rule of the law.
This act started the New Testament, and the rule of grace.
Up to now the Passover stood for physical deliverance from Egypt, from now on it was replaced by the Lord’s Supper which stands for spiritual deliverance from sin.
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
TOOK = also voluntary
Imagine what went through Jesus’ heart/mind freely picked this up..
Last time He dealt with this same cup…
“O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me.”
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Cross
CUP … BLOOD = crushed grapes – Gethsemane (next stop that night)
Picture of Gethsemane as olive press
Where Jesus sweat drops of blood (as blood crushed from grapes)
“The Lord was pleased to CRUSH Him, to put Him to GRIEF.” Isa 53:10 …bruised…crushed…poured out
“The life of the flesh is in the blood” Lev 17:11
without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin
Heb 9:22
GAVE THANKS = how could He give thanks for what represented death?
for God’s wrath poured out on Him
1. IT WAS GOD’S WILL, FOR GOD’S GLORY
The Lord was PLEASED to crush Him. Isa 53
“My desire is to do the will of Him who sent me.” Jn 4:34
“Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from hour. But for this cause I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name. Then there came a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” John 12:27-28
Lesson: put God’s will & Glory above our desires, comfort
2. FOR THE FUTURE JOY HE WOULD RECEIVE AFTER THE CROSS
For the JOY that was set before Him He endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2
Lesson: live for long-range goals, delayed gratification,
heaven not earth
3. FOR US
“For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Mt 26:28
Lesson: Jesus’ blood washes away sin.
COVENANT = CONTRACT, AGREEMENT
when God makes a covenant with man He requires blood
Noah (Gen 8:20) Abraham (Gen 15:10) Moses (Ex 24:5-8)
“without the shedding of blood there is no remission” Heb 9:22
“shed” = Gk ekchelo = “gush,” “pour out,” or “spill”
Issue at stake: eternal salvation
Terms: God – does it all for man
Man – stops rejecting what God has done
Conditions: unconditional, can never be rescinded or made null
Length of effectiveness: forever
Blood = sign of life
Physically cleanses body as flows through it
Spiritually cleanses us of sin
OFFERED IT TO THEM = free, unconditional gift
Just receive it, like matzo/body
“DRINK FROM IT”
He took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, “Drink it”
Drink deeply, fully, totally
Meet all needs & desires, total dependence
SUSTAINS – body needs liquid/fluid like soul needs Jesus
Intervenus feeding in hospital first thing done
REFRESHES – become weak without fluid, & without Jesus
RENEWS – need constant intake, can’t ‘ahead’ or do without
CLEANSES – flushes whole system, removes impurities
CHEERS – revives when faint and in need
NO SUBSTITUTE – nothing replaces fluids but fluids
THEY DRANK IT = personal acceptance, freely by grace
Each one drink the juice in their cup – all of it
“Do you understand the significance of what you have just done?”
BEFORE THIS: Passover about physical deliverance from Egypt & Pharaoh
FROM NOW ON: Lord’s Supper about spiritual deliverance from sin & Satan
PLAN OF SALVATION
Explain, summarize, clearly tell plan of salvation from this
PRAY– me say words, any wanting repeat quietly in own heart
22. ELIJAH’S PLACE
The Jews believed that when the Messiah comes He will come during the Feast of Passover, and he will be preceded by Elijah (Malachi 4:5). This prophecy was fulfilled by John the Baptizer.
Throughout the Passover meal a place at one end of the table is vacant, and the front door slightly open. The best cup is set by this place.
At the end of the service someone is sent to the door and the sad report comes back, “I don’t see him tonight, He’s not coming. Perhaps he will come next year.”
There is no mention of this at Jesus’ last supper.
23. CUP # 4 – PRAISE
This cup stands for when Jesus returns to regather Israel.
“Till I Come” = LION 2nd coming
Blessing by the leader: Blessed are You, O Eternal, our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.”
Then all drank this fourth cup.
It was NOT drunk by Christ that evening.
24. HALLEL (Psalm 115-118) (Hallel ‘Ha-LAY-el’ )
“They sang a song as they left” – only reference to Jesus singing (did other times, though)
Then they sung all or part of Psalm 115-118 (especially 118), which would have been very meaningful to Christ at this time).
SUNG AS LEFT UPPER ROOM, ON WAY TO GETHSEMANE
(while crossing blood-red Jordan)
Despite what is awaiting Jesus, mood of Passover always one of JOY
Jesus’ joy shown through despite what was about to come
Last Joy He’d have on this earth
25. MEAL ENDS
JEWS TODAY SAY: “Next Year In Jerusalem” as promise, hope of future with Messiah
JESUS didn’t say this, He knew what the future would bring
Today the Jews conclude with all saying, “Next Year In Jerusalem!”
WE don’t need to say this, we look forward to a NEW Jerusalem after Jesus returns
Us: “Next year in heaven” – rapture!
“Even so, Lord Jesus, come!”
Early church celebrated LS daily (Acts 2:46) with every meal they ate, then weekly (Acts 20:7) acceptable to observe at any meal, home or church
NOT THE END of the story!
From here he went to Gethsemane where He prayed in agony as He anticipated what the cross would mean – all our hell for eternity
While He was there Judas lead the soldiers who came to arrest Him
While He was being unfairly tired, Peter’s denied Him as foretold
After 3 illegal and unfair religious trials Jesus was taken to Pilate where He was beaten and condemned to death
He was crucified – where He suffered for each of our sins, then He was buried
The best part, though, is that He didn’t stay dead – THE LAMB AROSE!
He appeared to His followers that same day
And a week later to Thomas, who wasn’t with the disciples earlier
After 40 days and many appearances to His followers Jesus ascended into heaven
Today He is alive, loving & caring for us
One day return to take us to be with Him forever as promised!
Until then, life for Him, worship Him, tell others about Him
CLOSING PRAYER
May God bless you!
Thank you for coming!