On Thursday we hosted a Passover Seder for some friends at our church. It was a great time of sharing the Passover tradition and remembering all of the prophecies that Christ fulfilled. This was the third Passover I have ever led, and it is always amazing to me to be reminded of how exciting the Passover is to those that have never experienced one — sharing in the same meal that the Jewish leaders and prophets of the Old Testament participated in, the same celebration that Jesus and the disciples remembered together the night before Jesus was crucified.
It is wonderful to be able to share in the Passover and remember that, even as Jesus led the Seder, he was also fulfilling so much of the Seder’s symbolism. And, as was so often the case, Jesus not only affirmed the tradition but also took it further. During the part of the meal when you traditionally wash your hands, Jesus got up, wrapped a towel around himself, and washed the disciples’ feet. He was a true servant leader, but his actions also symbolized our need to be washed clean from our sins. Similarly, we take time during the meal to remember the lamb that was killed in order for the Jewish people to be protected from the Angel of Death that passed over the land of Egypt. Jesus’s shed blood protected us from death, as well, except that, unlike a lamb which needs to be sacrificed again and again, Jesus’s shed blood was enough for all time.
Sharing in the Passover meal on Thursday was a wonderful time of reflecting on the depths of meaning within traditions that have been handed down for generations.
Side note: Planning this Seder helped me realize how much work my mom and dad put in every year — not just in leading the service, but also in preparing for it. I am realizing more and more how much of their work I have taken for granted. Sarah and I also could not have pulled off the Seder without the generosity of all who attended from our young adults group and our small group. We feasted on a lot of tasty food, and everyone who attended came with open hearts, eager and willing to learn about the traditions and symbolism of a Messianic Seder. We will treasure the memories of that night for a long time.