The Passover Meal and Jesus’ Last Supper

It is Passover time in Jerusalem. The religious authorities are trying to find a way to get rid of Jesus. Judas conspires with the authorities to betray Jesus. Jesus makes plans to celebrate the Passover with his disciples.

The Passover celebrated God’s deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery at the time of Moses.

Passover The Israelites sacrificed a lamb and put its blood on the doorpost. The angel of death passed over their house. It was celebrated with a special family meal each year.

The Passover Meal The Passover meal had several stages: 1. An inaugural blessing and prayer followed by a dish of herbs and the first of four cups of wine. 2. As the main part of the meal began, the youngest child was to ask, “Why is this night different from any other night?” 3. The father would tell the story of the first Passover.

4. After a prayer they ate the main course, 4. After a prayer they ate the main course, with food that was symbolic: The lamb which was sacrificed. Bitter herbs to represent the bitterness of slavery. Charoset, a mixture of fruit, which had the consistency of clay. It was to remind them of the clay they used to make bricks for Pharaoh. Unleavened bread, because they did not have time to let the bread rise. 5. The group would sing songs, including Psalms 114-118, and share the fourth cup of wine.

The Last Supper During the meal, Jesus makes a shocking announcement: “One of you will betray me.” All the disciples said, “Surely, not I.” Jesus is giving Judas a chance to repent. Jesus was letting them know that what was about to happen was all part of God’s plan.

The Last Supper The bread = “This is my body” During the meal, Jesus gives new meaning to the items: The bread = “This is my body” The cup = “This is my blood”

Within a short period of time, Jesus’ disciples were observing this meal every Sunday, because that is the day Jesus rose from the dead. This meal is called many things: Breaking bread Communion The Lord’s Supper The Eucharist (Thanksgiving) As the Passover celebrated God delivering his people from slavery in Egypt, today this meal celebrates God delivering us from sin and death through the work of Jesus.

The Last Supper in the Gospel of John

Washing the Disciples’ Feet John 13 The Gospel of John doesn’t talk about the Last Supper like the other gospels. He doesn’t talk about the Passover meal. He doesn’t talk about the bread and wine being the body and the blood. He talks about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.

Washing the Disciples’ Feet John 13 We should serve one another… as an expression of love. from a position of confidence. because we have been served. to be like Jesus. and not just talk about it.