Observing Passover
Most Christians will profess that they mean to follow Jesus and obey Him –
after all, they will probably know that Jesus said “You are My friends if
you do whatever I command you” (Jn 15:14). But when it comes to what they
actually do, there are some serious gaps in their obedience.
Passover is one of them.
Most believers overlook the
fact that Jesus commanded us to keep the Passover just as He did. Yet it's
in all four gospels and Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (e.g. Lk
22:8,19; 1 Cor 5:7,8). Instead of following Jesus’ clear example, they
follow errant Church tradition like blind sheep. Yet, there should be no
doubt.
Notice Matthew’s account. He states that the
disciples had asked Jesus where He wanted them to make preparations to keep
the Passover. Jesus told them where they would be keeping Passover, and they
did as He said (Matt 26:17-19).
Virtually the same account appears in Mark’s
gospel (Mark 14:12-16). It quite clearly says that they were all observing
the Passover, as it does in Luke 22:8-15.
Remember, this was now no longer under the
Old Covenant duration. That epoch had expired when John died (Matt 11:13).
This was now part of the era of the New Covenant, which is why Jesus
instituted the new Passover symbols of unleavened bread and wine during the
ceremony (Matt 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20).
He didn't do away with Passover and tell them
to observe something else. He didn't institute a ‘Lord’s Supper’. [The
complete truth about this subject is provided in our small booklet
Passover and Pentecost – Answers To Basic Questions.]
In John’s gospel we find another command from
Jesus about observing Passover. That was to do with footwashing. It’s in
John 13:14. So, we obey what Jesus said. There are lessons to be learned in
the doing.
I was asked recently if we had anything
written giving guidelines for keeping the Passover, so I thought it would be
good if I summarised for others a basic outline of what we do. That is not
to say that you should copy us, because specifics can vary from country to
country, and even from person to person, depending upon what you feel is
appropriate to honour Jesus and commemorate His death, as He said on the
Passover. It is up to you how you go about it, but I thought this outline
would help.
The short article
Principles of True Worship explains why it is ideal to get away from set
ritual and to vary the proceedings, so that the occasion doesn’t lose any of
its uniqueness. We try to vary the particulars each year.
Jesus gives us so much
latitude to decide individually within the guidelines He has commanded.
Those guidelines are very
simple:
1) Teaching, to be reminded
of the meaning of the occasion. We read poignant passages of Scripture,
usually with very little added comment.
2) Footwashing, as mentioned
in John 13.
3) Having a meal together,
which can employ meaningful emblems of lamb, bitter herbs, etc., if you
want. Luke 22:13-16. Matt 26:19-26.
4) Partaking of unleavened
bread, depicting Jesus' broken body to pay the price of our sins that we can
be healed. Matt 26:26; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor 11:23-24.
5) Sharing the glass of red
wine (not merely grape juice – that's not bitter, nor what Jesus took) to
remind us of the blood He poured out for us. Matt 26:27-28; Luke 22:17,20.
We all take it in turns to
drink from one glass of wine, which portrays the singularity of the body and
our part in that whole.
6) Prayer as is fitting.
7) More scripture reading.
See Jesus' extensive discourse in John 13-17 which was spoken at this last
Passover meal. Some of that can be read, if you want, as you feel it is
appropriate.
8) Finally, we sing praise.
Matthew 26:30. Something like the praise songs below.
ALL I ONCE HELD DEAR (KNOWING YOU)
All I once held dear , built
my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain, I have counted loss;
Spent and worthless now, compared to this
Knowing You, Jesus, knowing
You,
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You Lord
Love You, Lord.
All my heart’s desire is to know You more
To be found in You, and known as Yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All-surpassing gift of righteousness
Oh to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like You in Your death my Lord
So with You to live and never die.
[Composed by Graham
Kendrick, 1993, Make Way Music.]
JESUS CHRIST (ONCE AGAIN)
Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice
You became nothing, poured out to death
Many times I’ve wondered at Your gift of life
And I’m in that place once again.
And once again I look upon the
cross where You died
I’m humbled by Your mercy and I’m broken inside
Once again I thank You, once again I pour out my life.
Now You are exalted to the highest place
King of the heavens where one day I’ll bow
But for now, I marvel at this saving grace
And I’m full of praise once again, I’m full of praise
once again.
[Composed by Graham
Kendrick, 1993, Make Way Music.]
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