Passover to my place...

So, last week was Passover. We decided to celebrate the festival, so we invited some good friends over, purchased the necessary ingredients, and I researched the service.
I used a number of sources to compile my Haggadah, and made sure that I had everything that I needed. I printed out enough copies for everyone, and Bethany designed the cover.

Bethany and I put together the Seder Plate, and made a rather tasty roast chicken dinner. And so it began. I love the fact that, with the exception of the language we were speaking, we did almost exactly the same thing as Jesus did when he celebrated the Passover. The same thing that he did when he ate the last supper with his disciples.

A few interesting thoughts, then, on the subject of Passover. Jesus celebrated this feast. It's not only part of the Jewish calendar, but the Bible says that we should celebrate it, and not forget the way that God rescued his people from Slavery in Egypt. In fact, that's the whole purpose of the festival. When Jesus rose from the dead, he defeated sin and death for all time. Because of what he did for us, we're now free. The whole idea of celebrating Passover as a demonstration of God's ability to set us free has a new meaning ever since Jesus died for our freedom. That's pretty cool, don't you think?
When we got to the actual meal, I took out my Bible, and read from Mark 14:

When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me."

They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?"

"It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."

Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.

"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."

In the Passover ceremony, a section of the unleavened bread is kept over, and not eaten. There is also a particularly important ritual, which involves pouring an extra glass of wine, 'The Cup of Elijah' and leaving it for the prophet; tradition explains that Elijah will come before the messiah, and proclaim his coming.
Funny, then, that this is how Jesus referred to John the Baptist:

This is the one about whom it is written:
" 'I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.'
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

So, when the cup is left for Elijah, it is in anticipation of the coming of the messiah. When Jesus broke the bread, he took the piece that was left over, and shared that out. Then, he took 'the cup', and passed it around. Jesus makes it clear right then that He IS the Messiah, and that anyone still waiting for Elijah to come to proclaim the coming Saviour is wasting their time. Not only is Jesus showing what will happen to him, but he is demonstrating the New Covenant there and then. He takes the cup, to be saved until the Messiah comes, and shares it out. He celebrates the feast that he has been instructed by Jewish law to celebrate, and then uses some of the elements to create something new; instructing us to 'do this in remembrance' of Him. The feast that was created to remind us how the Almighty God set his people free from the slavery of the Egyptians is re-made by Jesus to remind us of how the Almighty God has set his people free from all slavery!

I thoroughly recommend celebrating the Passover next year. I learned so much about my heritage as an adopted Jew through celebrating the feast. I learned even more about the fulfillment of the law through Christ. And most of all, I discovered a greater understanding of the importance of Jesus' death and resurrection.