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A Christian
Passover
Ceremony
Published by
The Eternal Church of God
This booklet is not to be sold. It is free as an educational service provided to any and all members of the Church of God. It is accompanied with an audio cassette or CD.
Audio
And in the fourteenth day
of the first month (is)
the Passover of the LORD.
Numbers 28:16
The
Christian Passover is the most solemn and meaningful of God’s annual Holy Days.
This sacred ceremony commemorates the death of our Lord, Jesus Christ, which
made God’s plan of salvation possible. And, by our keeping the Passover, we show
our acceptance of His sacrifice and renew our covenant with God.
So important is this service, individuals missing the
opportunity to celebrate the Passover due to illness or travel, are instructed
by the Almighty to keep this exact same service in the second month. God spoke
to Moses, saying:
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the Passover unto the LORD. The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it. But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the Passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin. (Numbers 9:9-13)
God commanded
that the ancient Israelites were to keep the Passover forever (Exodus 12:24).
Today, every race can be accepted as Abraham’s children, and the Church is
regarded as spiritual Israel (Galatians 3:29). The apostle Paul confirms this
incredible truth when he writes: “they are not all Israel who are of Israel”
(Romans 9:6).
For this reason, the New Covenant Passover is required to be
observed by all Christians. As Jesus stated:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:53-54)
Today,
Christians eat His flesh and drink His blood by symbolically by taking of bread
and wine. Thus the Passover commemorates the excruciating torture and death of
our Creator and Savior. Therefore, there should be a profound reverence
associated with this ceremony.
Taking the Passover Worthily
The Passover is not a time for lightheartedness, joking, and
the normal fellowship that takes place on other festivals. This does not mean we
cannot smile or greet one another, however. There should be a sense of rejoicing
in the triumph of what our Savior has done for us, and it is not wrong to
communicate this. On the other hand, the Passover is a solemn ceremony, and the
apostle Paul warns us:
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (I Corinthians 11:27)
Partaking of the
Passover “unworthily” can be understood a number of ways. It certainly means
taking it in an improper manner, such as taking it in a light, or half-hearted
attitude.
Taking the Passover unworthily could also include taking the
symbols at the wrong time. The Christian Passover is to be celebrated the
beginning of the 14th of Nissan after sundown (Exodus 12:6).
Using the wrong symbols would also qualify for taking the
Passover unworthily. For example, the bread must be unleavened. God commanded
that the 14th day be a day of cleaning the house of all leavening and the
bread to be eaten Passover night is to be unleavened bread (Exodus 12:8).
The
drink this night is to be wine, not grape juice. The Greek word for wine is “oinos.”
This word always refers to fermented drink. The good Samaritan poured wine (oinos)
into the wounds of the man he found laying in the street (Luke 10:34). The word
oinos requires that there be alcohol present in order for it to be antiseptic.
Furthermore, grapes ferment almost immediately, and the grape harvest is in the
summer time in Judea. Therefore, any fruit of the grape used in the spring
Passover celebration could only be wine, never grape juice.
Most important to Passover is our personal attitude in which
we come to Christ and take the symbols. Each Christian should therefore spend
time examining him or herself before partaking of this vital ceremony. For this
reason, Paul continues to expand on the method of observing the Christian
Passover. He makes this statement:
Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (I Corinthians 11:28-29)
It is important
to realize, as we examine ourselves that none of us is worthy of Christ’s
sacrifice. If we do not discern Christ’s body by understanding that He was
unmercifully beaten for our healing, we take the Passover unworthily. We must
discern the broken body and blood of Jesus Christ which was poured out for the
forgiveness of our sins.
Further, we must not partake of His Passover in an attitude
of rebellion, anger, resentment, or hostility toward either God or man. We are
not to take the symbols of Christ’s sacrifice while knowingly continuing to
practice sin.
The apostle Paul also commanded that we not eat a meal that
night as a part of the official celebration. Paul said, “if any man hunger, let
him eat at home” (I Corinthians 11:34).
In addition, this service is unique in that only baptized
members of God’s church should participate in it. This precedent hearkens back
to the time of the exodus, in which God commanded:
The LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the Passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. (Exodus 12:43-45)
The ancient
Israelites were commanded not to eat of the Passover unless circumcised. Today,
the corresponding rite is baptism. Our repentance toward God and immersion in
water is a picture of our desire to put our old self to death. This becomes a
circumcision of the heart. Those who have been thus circumcised may partake of
the Passover.
Un-baptized members are welcome to attend the ceremony, and
view the observance. Also, parents should certainly feel free to include their
children as observers.
Exodus 12:26 reminds us that we are to perform the Passover
rites in view of our children that they might ask what these things mean.
However, only baptized members should participate in the foot washing, eating
the bread, and drinking the wine.
It is the desire of the Eternal Church of God that Christians
assemble together to celebrate Passover when ever possible. When unable to
attend a service with one of the Churches of God, we have provided this
ceremony, in order that such individuals can keep this observance at home.
Therefore, this booklet contains a set of instructions
relating how to properly keep the Passover. We have provided the Church’s
traditional format and the recommended scriptures to be read during the service.
In the event members do not feel comfortable leading the service in it’s
entirety, we have provided a taped message.
We offer this fully understanding that members may use some
of what we offer in this package, or all of it at their discretion. The Church
also offers sermon tapes for the other Holy Days. If you would like any of these
please contact our office or web site at the address on the back of this
booklet.
Preparing for the Passover
Preparation is the most important part of any project. This
is of utmost importance in God’s Passover ceremony to insure that things are
done “decently and in order” (I Corinthians 14:40). Therefore, know how many
people plan to attend, and what materials you will need.
Some things will need to be purchased. If you intend to use the audio service, a
player of reasonable quality must be secured. We also suggest printing an
adequate number of copies of the song that is to be sung this night. There is a
copy of the words to the taped hymn, “In Thy Loving Kindness Lord” at the end of
this booklet for this purpose.
Bowls for the foot washing service should be acquired in
advance. Small 12x18 inch bowls may usually be found in most department and
discount stores. Experience has led us to recommend that it is best to procure
more of these than necessary, and after storing, it is important to check for
cracks before reusing them. Participants are easily able to supply their own
towels.
The Wine
When purchasing wine for Passover, several things should be
considered. The Church has traditionally recommended a better quality red wine
of the burgundy type. Historically, we have used an unfortified wine with an
alcohol content somewhere between 10-13%. Wines which have alcoholic contents of
19-20% are fortified with brandy and should not be used.
The wine should be poured into small glasses the night of the
service according to the number of participants you expect. Should the number of
people be considerable, it might be wise to visit a local “Christian” book store
and order or purchase a wine tray such as used in larger services. These are not
expensive, they add a professional appearance to the service, and may be reused
each year.
After the service is concluded, any remaining wine should be
poured out onto the ground as was the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The
used glasses should also be washed as soon as possible.
The Unleavened Bread
A sufficient amount of unleavened bread should be provided
for the evening. Either homemade or commercial unleavened bread is acceptable.
Be sure that purchased bread is entirely unleavened. Usually this is easily
accomplished by simply purchasing kosher matzos.
Take care not to pile the bread on the tray so that it
becomes messy when it is broken later in the ceremony. In addition, any bread
left over from the service, or any crumbs, should be collected and burned with
fire that night. There should be nothing left over from the bread placed in this
tray in accordance with God’s command regarding the lamb (Exodus 12:10).
Preparing The Room
The room, where the foot washing and Passover are to be
celebrated, should be properly prepared for this observance.
Christ sent His disciples to prepare the room for His last
Passover. Luke records:
Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat... And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover. (Luke 22:7-8,13)
The rooms for
the Passover ceremony should be entirely unleavened. The hall, or the rooms to
be used for the service should also be clean and neat. Traditionally, the table
for the wine and bread is covered with a white table cloth. White napkins are
also usually used to cover the wine glasses and the bread trays.
It is also important to have enough room for the foot washing
service. It is best if this can occur in a room which is separate from the
meeting room. Women should be separated from men when the actual foot washing
takes place. If the facilities do not permit two rooms, this can also be
accomplished by performing this aspect of the service in two parts, one for the
women, and one for the men.
When two rooms for foot washing is not an option, another
solution is to have the men go to a separate room, while the women stay in the
meeting hall. This arrangement allows the ceremony to proceed in such a way that
each part flows into the next without a significant interruption of time that
could possibly take away from the meaning of the ceremony.
There are also occasions when members are so scattered from
one another, that individuals may find themselves in a circumstance in which
they are forced to celebrate the Passover completely alone. In such a case, it
has historically been considered appropriate for the single person to simply
spend extra time reading the account of the foot washing account found in John
13.
Using the Audio Service
Should you desire to use the audio ceremony, we recommend
playing the audio through once to insure quality and to familiarize yourself
with the format that the service will take.
Reverently and respectfully, lead the group to the room where
the service will take place. Pass out copies of the music for each member in
advance as they come in.
Each portion of the service is recorded as a separate
section. You will note, as you listen to the audio that each part of the actual
service stands alone, and the audio will follow the script we have provided in
the “Preparing Your Own Service” section of this booklet.
After listening to the audio to insure quality, acquaint
yourself with the format of the service, and adjust sound levels. Finally, cue
the audio up at the beginning in preparation for the evening service. Remember
the sound will need to be slightly louder when the room is filled with people
than when it is empty. In addition, be aware that we have taken the liberty of
modifying the traditional service by the introduction of an optional song at the
beginning of the audio.
Beginning The Passover Service
On Passover evening, after everyone is seated and sundown has
occurred, simply start the tape. Remember to cue up the tape at the beginning
you have chosen, having checked the sound levels earlier in a practice run
through.
The Foot Washing
Once started, the tape will proceed through the introduction
to the Passover, and then address the foot washing. At the point the speaker
says: “The host will now direct you to the foot washing service,” stop the
audio. At this time, the host should direct the guests to their respective
places to wash feet in an orderly respectful manner.
The Bread
After you have washed your hands, and all have returned to
the room and are settled, start the audio once again. The speaker will proceed
through the portion of the service explaining the symbolism of the bread.
When the speaker states: “The host will now pray over the
bread,” turn off the audio. At this point, uncover the tray of bread ask
everyone to bow their heads and ask God’s blessing on the bread.
After the prayer, break the bread into medium size pieces in
the sight of all the guests. After this, pass the tray to each person. Each
should take just one piece of the bread, and pass it on. When all have taken a
piece of unleavened bread, the tray is returned, and all are seated quietly,
start the audio again.
The Wine
The speaker will now explain the symbol and meaning of the
wine. When the speaker states: “The host will now pray over the wine,” pause the
audio again.
The host should then uncover the tray containing the wine. He
should ask everyone to bow their heads as he prays over the wine. After the
prayer, the host should pass the tray in order that each person can partake of
one glass of the wine.
The Scripture Reading and The Final Song
After the tray is returned, and everyone is settled, start
the audio again. The speaker will then read the scriptures that Christ spoke to
the disciples after the meal. At the conclusion of the reading, he will ask
everyone to rise and sing a final song. Stop the audio here, and ask everyone to
rise. Restart the audio. The host next leads everyone in singing the 51st Psalm.
The Concluding Prayer
After the music, stop the audio. The host should then
conclude in prayer. Finally dismiss the guests.
Conducting Your Own Service
For those who wish to personally lead the Passover service,
we are providing the following traditional ceremony. Please read through this
ceremony, making notes and preparing in advance so that the service is performed
in a professional manner that glorifies God (I Corinthians 10:31).
The service has traditionally begun without prayer, but does
include prayers over the bread, the wine, and concludes in a final prayer after
the song. There is special music at the beginning of our audio should you choose
to use it. Generally the service is begun by comments tying the Passover in with
current events. The leader can then read and expound on the script provided. At
the end of each section there are instructions to perform the foot washing, and
prayer over the bread and the wine. The traditional scriptures are read, and a
song to conclude the service at the end.
The Beginning of the Passover Script
While we are still in this world, so many of the things of
God are “bittersweet.” First, there is a bitter side to this celebration. We
gather at this time a year to rehearse, and reflect on the suffering and death
of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we do, we recommit ourselves to our covenant
with God.
There is at the same time, the sweet side to Passover. With
this celebration comes a profound realization of the incredible triumph of Jesus
Christ. His victory brings with it our awesome, transcendent hope of inclusion
into the Kingdom and Family of God for all eternity.
In addition, those of us who celebrate the Passover this
night link ourselves inextricably with a long chain of the faithful of God down
through the ages. We are a part of all those who ever looked to, and trusted in
the blood of our Savior. We, along with all those faithful also look to Jesus
Christ to cleanse us from sin, provide forgiveness, and entrance into the family
of God.
Christ Explained That We Must Eat and Drink of Him
The Jews which followed Christ witnessed Him working
miracles. They saw Him create food enough to feed 5,000, and the understanding
of the Jewish people in that day was that when the Messiah would come, He would
produce “hidden manna” (Revelation 2:17). They wondered, “could this Jesus be
the Messiah?” They wanted proof in the form of hidden manna. Jesus then
explained this profound truth. He was the bread from heaven! As we are about to eat this
bread, we must understand and believe the words that He spoke.
John 6:27 – Labour not for the meat which perisheth,
but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man
shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
John 6:33-35 – For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and
giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this
bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me
shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
John 6:37-39 – All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that
cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do
mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will
which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing,
but should raise it up again at the last day.
John 6:44 – No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw
him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:48-50 – I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the
wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that
a man may eat thereof, and not die.
John 6:51 – I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of
this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh,
which I will give for the life of the world.
John 6:52-57 – The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this
man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye
have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal
life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and
my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,
dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by
the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
John 6:58 – This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers
did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
Christ Instituted the New
Covenant Passover
On His last Passover with His disciples, Jesus waited until
the exact time. It was in the evening of the 14th of Nissan, and Christ
instituted the New Covenant Passover. Luke writes:
Luke 22:14-16 – And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
Paradoxically, on the very night that Christ was to give Himself in sacrifice for all mankind, there was strife among His followers regarding their status and position.
Luke 22:24 – And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
Therefore before His death, Jesus taught the disciples then, and still teaches us today – the importance of humility.
Luke 22:25-27 – And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
The Foot Washing Ceremony
The Great God then gave an example of what He meant by His
teaching about serving. He washed his disciple’s feet.
John 13:1-17 – And... during supper the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Jesus said that we are not greater than Him, and since He was willing to wash His disciple’s feet, we ought to wash one another’s feet. We should do this understanding that this act we do, on this one day a year, is a symbol to remind us of how we are to act toward one another the entire rest of the year.
I John 3:14-16 – We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer, and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Paul too describes Christ’s humble, servant like attitude:
Philippians 2:5-8 – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
At this point,
the leader should direct the individuals to wash one another’s feet in their
respective locations and to do so in an orderly manner.
The Bread
Paul was personally taught by Jesus Christ in the Arabian
desert. There Christ gave him instructions for the Christian Passover service.
Paul explained what Christ informed him to do:
I Corinthians 11:23-24 – For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
We are to partake of the bread as a symbol of Christ’s body. Christ explained this symbolism earlier and John records this for us:
John 6:48-51 – I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Jesus Christ was
God Almighty who dwelt in heaven in majesty, and glory. As second in command of
all the universe, Christ was the God of whom it is said, “nothing is impossible”
(Luke 1:37).
This same God came down to this earth. He became flesh that
we might become spirit. He became a man that we might become God.
Christ became flesh, and therefore partook of our nature,
experiencing all the human pulls we do (Hebrews 4:15). He felt pain exactly like
we do, but willingly gave of His flesh for us. It is important to remember that
both eating of His flesh and drinking of His blood are directly associated with
His giving us eternal life.
The fact that we all partake of His body makes us all one
body together. We are all one family as it were. Paul writes:
I Corinthians 10:16-17 – The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
When we partake
of His body. His body becomes a part of us, and we become a part of His body,
His church (Colossians 1:18). We don’t become a part of the body of Christ by
joining an organization. We become part of the spiritual organism which is
Christ’s body, by partaking of the bread of life, Jesus Christ.
When we partake of Christ’s body, He lives in us through the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This makes us part of the body of Christ. Nothing
on earth can separate us from Him, He is a living part of us.
The small piece of unleavened bread that we eat symbolizes
His body. The bread we break is unleavened, and this is to picture the sinless
nature of Christ’s body, which was broken for our sins.
Jesus Christ was beaten until the flesh was torn off of Him.
This terrible beating was not for anything He had done. The violent punishment
was inflicted on Him for what we deserved. The apostle Peter reminds us of the
terrible suffering that Christ endured for us, and how we are to follow His
example. He writes:
I Peter 2:20-23 – For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
The apostle
Peter makes it clear that the beating inflicted upon Christ was only one part of
His total, perfect sacrifice. He suffered tremendous pain and agony in the
flesh, so that we could be released from the physical suffering that comes upon
us as a result of our sin.
His suffering was also an example for each one of us. Because
He suffered for every person, we should be willing to suffer for one another.
Also, His willingness to endure such suffering showed His infinite commitment to
each of us. When we eat this unleavened bread, it should personally remind us of
His incredible commitment. Eating the bread should also remind us of our
indebtedness to Him, and by taking it, we openly reaffirm our devotion and
loyalty to Him.
Christ’s offering of His body for our sin was planned from
before the creation of the world. Isaiah prophesied:
Isaiah 53:1-6 – Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
All this was done for us, and yet mankind does not value what God sacrificed. Few take the time to look up and take note of it. In all this, Christ did not complain. He simply allowed Himself to suffer at the hands of cruel men.
Isaiah 53:7 – He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Isaiah goes in to more detail about the unimaginable magnitude of Christ’s suffering. This great prophet records God’s words to say:
Isaiah 52:13-14 – Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
Christ suffered
incredible pain for us, so that we could be healed. He was tested in every way
that we are. He felt as much anguish as any woman in childbirth. He suffered
more than many who experienced torture. He experienced more suffering than a
person with cancer. He accepted this punishment being completely innocent of any
wrong. Christ took the penalty for us. He experienced the punishment for our
wrong doing.
His body was broken for us. We therefore break this bread,
and partake of it. We do so understanding the commitment He made for us. We take
of this bread recommitting ourselves to Him in deep appreciation.
At this point, the host should Pray over the bread asking
God’s blessing on it as a symbol of Christ’s body, which was broken for us. The
prayer should include the fact that Christ suffered for us, therefore we should
be willing to suffer for righteousness sake. We should also thank God for all
His love and mercy toward us. We should ask God to give us His mind of service
and sacrifice for others.
At this point the host should remove the napkin from the tray
of bread. He should break the bread in the audience of the guests.
Finally pass the tray of broken bread until each member has
had a chance to partake of a piece of the bread
The Wine
Mark reveals that the wine we drink is a symbol of Christ’s blood. He writes:
Mark 14:23-25 – And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Christ’s blood cleanses us of sin, making it possible for us to have eternal life. The author of Hebrews states:
Hebrews 9:11-15 – But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come,
by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say,
not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own
blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption
for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer
sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more
shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself
without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living
God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means
of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first
testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal
inheritance.
Paul states that it is Christ’s blood that literally redeems us. He writes:
Ephesians 1:7 – In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
The pouring out of the Blood of the Lamb of God resulted in the death of His flesh. It is Christ’s blood that justifies us. It is a peace offering to God the Father.
Colossians 1:20-22 – And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Each one of us
should drink the wine in reverential thanksgiving. It is a renewal of our
acceptance of the blood of Jesus Christ that was poured out for the remission of
our sins. There is no other salvation than that which is found in this
sacrifice.
At this point, the host should uncover the wine. He should
pray over the wine thanking God for giving us His Son to die for us so we could
be reconciled. Thank God for Christ’s willingness to submit to the Father’s will
in this awesome sacrifice for us.
At this point pass the wine to the guests. Each one should
drink the wine in profound reverence. After the glasses are returned, cover
them, and the bread tray with the white napkin.
The Conclusion of Passover
After the meal, Christ spoke to His disciples. These are the
last words of our Savior on that final Passover. They are some of the most
beautiful and meaningful words ever put to print. The apostle John writes:
John 13:33-35 – Little children, yet a little while I
am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye
cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye
love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this
shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 14:1-4 – Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in
me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told
you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I
will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be
also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
John 14:5-8 – Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and
how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should
have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
John 14:9-21 – Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet
hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and
how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the
Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of
myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that
I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works'
sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I
do shall he do also; and greater than these shall he do; because I go unto my
Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father
may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.
If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall
give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; the Spirit of
truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth it not, neither knoweth
it but ye know it for it dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not
leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world
seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day
ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath
my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth
me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to
him...
John 14:22-24 – Judas saith unto Him, not Iscariot,
Lord how is it that thou will manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world.
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and
my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not
mine, but the Father's which sent me.
John 14:25-27 – These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my
name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto
you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
John 14:28-31– Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto
you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for
my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass,
that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much
with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that
the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me
commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
John 15:1-8 – I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch
in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth
fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean
through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye,
except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in
me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth forth much fruit: for without me ye
can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is
withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it
shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit;
so shall ye be my disciples.
John 15:9-13 – As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in
my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have
kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken
unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This
is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love
hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my
friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 15:15-16 – Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not
what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have
heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have
chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that
your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name,
he may give it you.
John 15:17-25 – These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the
world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the
world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I
have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the
word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they
have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying,
they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my
name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and
spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their
sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the
works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both
seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word
might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
John 15:26-27 – But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from
the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall
testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from
the beginning.
John 16: 1-4 – These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be
offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that
whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things
will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these
things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I
told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because
I was with you.
John 16:5-12 – But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh
me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow
hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for
you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you;
but if I depart, I will send it unto you. And when it is come, it will reprove
the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they
believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no
more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
John 16:12-15 – I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them
now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, it will guide you into all
truth: for it shall not speak of itself; but whatsoever it shall hear, that
shall it speak: and it will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for it
shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father
hath are mine: therefore said I, that it shall take of mine, and shall shew it
unto you.
John 16:16-29 – A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little
while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his
disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while,
and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and,
Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A
little while? we cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were
desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that
I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and
ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament,
but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be
turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is
come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the
anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have
sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no
man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I
say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it
you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that
your joy may be full. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the
time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew
you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not
unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth
you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I
came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the
world, and go to the Father.
John 16:29-33 – His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and
speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest
not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from
God. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is
now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me
alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I
have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have
tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world..
John 17: 1-4 – These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and
said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify
thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal
life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they
might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have
glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to
do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which
I had with thee before the world was.
John 17:5-14 – I have manifested thy name unto the men
which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me;
and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou
hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou
gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out
from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I
pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are
thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to
thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me,
that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them
in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost,
but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I
to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy
fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated
them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:15-19 – I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but
that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as
I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As
thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified
through the truth.
John 17:20-24 – Neither pray I for these alone, but
for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be
one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:
that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou
gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in
them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world
may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am;
that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me
before the foundation of the world.
John 17:25-26 – O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have
known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared
unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved
me may be in them, and I in them.
The Hymn
After supper Christ led the disciples in singing a hymn
before going out to the mount of Olives. Mark records this, saying:
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. (Mark 14:26)
Following
Christ’s example, we will therefore conclude this service by rising and singing
a hymn.
The host should ask everyone to rise to sing the song. He should feel free to
use the taped music accompanying this Passover service, or use appropriate music
that he provides.
Dismissal
While the people are still standing the host should ask a
closing prayer, and then quietly dismiss the service.
In Thy Loving Kindness, Lord
Psalm 51
Dwight Armstrong
1. In thy loving kindness Lord, be
merciful to me.
In compassion great blot out all iniquity.
Wash me thoroughly from sin, from all guilt cleanse Thou me.
For transgressions I confess; sins I ever see.
2. 'Gainst Thee only have I sinned,
done evil in Thy sight.
That Thou speaking may be just, and in judging right.
My iniquities blot out, my sin hide from Thy view,
And in me a clean heart make, spirit right renew.
3. From Thy gracious presence,
Lord, O cast me not away,
And Thy Holy Spirit take not from me I pray.
Joy which Thy salvation brings again to me restore;
With Thy Spirit free do Thou keep me evermore.
4. Sacrifice dost thou not want,
else would I give it Thee,
And with offering shalt Thou not delighted be.
For a broken spirit is to God a sacrifice,
And a broken, contrite heart, Thou wilt not despise.