CHRIST IN THE PASSOVER

“Passover is the oldest, continuously observed religious feast in existence today, celebrated for over 3,500 years.” – Rosenthal

Luke 22:15

Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”

1. The Lighting of the Candles

Genesis 3:15

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.

2. The Four Cups

Exodus 6:5

And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant.

Exodus 6:6-7a

Therefore say to the children of Israel: I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outreached arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God.

3. The Cup of Sanctification

4. The Washing of Hands

John 13:5

After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

5. The Eating of Parsley called Karpas

6. The Four Questions

A. On other nights, we eat either leavened or unleavened bread; why on this night do we only eat unleavened bread?

B. On other nights, we eat any kind of green vegetables; why on this night must it be a bitter one?

C. On other nights, we don’t dip the vegetables, why on this night do we dip them twice?

D. On other nights, we eat either sitting up or reclining; why on this night do we put a pillow at our father’s place to remind us of reclining?

7. We Answer the Four Questions

A. The Matzah or unleavened bread is a picture of Christ and the cross.

B. The Maror or bitter herbs reminds us of the bitterness of slavery in Egypt and the slavery of sin.

C. The Kharoset declares that the bitterness of life can be made sweet by the cross. (Psalm 30:5)

D. The meal is eaten reclining because we are a free people in Jesus Christ.

8. The Story of Passover

A. The Cup of Plagues – Blood, Frogs, Lice, Flies, Cattle Blight, Boils, Hail, Locusts, Darkness, the Death of the Firstborn

B. The Passover Lamb – The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. (John 1:29)

C. The Passover Meal

D. The Afikomen – The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

Luke 22:19

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it and gave it to them saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

E. The Cup of Redemption – I will redeem you with an outreached arm. (Exodus 6:6)

Luke 22:20

Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”

F. The Door is Opened for the Prophet Elijah

Luke 1:17a (NIV)

And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah.

G. The Fourth Cup – The Cup of Praise

Psalm 118:22-24

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Everyone says together: NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!

Matthew 26:30

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.