It
was the time of Passover when the Last Supper was held, Mt. 26:17, Mk.
14:12, Lk. 22:7. After the ceremonies, Jesus went to the garden of
Gethsemane and was arrested. He had his trial in the morning, was
beaten and crucified all on the day of Passover, from evening (around
6:00 pm) to death at 3:00 pm.
Passover (Heb: “Pesach”), has a meal the evening before. In Jewish culture, a day begins at sundown the eve before. Traditionally, bitter herbs, washings, wine and matzah are used. Passover is also called The Festival of Matzah. (Matzah is a large unleavened cracker.) Washing hands and feet represent the need to be cleansed before approaching Holy God.
A rabbi’s follower would consider it an honor to have his rabbi request the use of his home for him and his students to observe Passover service, Mt. 26:18.
In Matthew 26:20, we see they were reclining at the table. This is to show appreciation for the freedom from slavery in Egypt brought through the sacrificial lamb of Passover. We know this is an important element because it is listed in the first three books of the Gospels. Jesus, represented by the lamb’s blood over the wooden door posts on the first Passover is the perfect lamb sacrifice on the wooden cross for our sins today.
Matthew 26:23 refers to a bowl. It may have contained the paste called “maror” (Heb: bitter herb), made from horseradish or bitter lettuce. Judas and Jesus shared in this bowl of bitter herbs; both were about to face a bitter end.
Note: Judas always referred to Jesus as “teacher” while all the other apostles called him, “Lord”. Judas was a thief, Jn. 12:6 and an outsider, from Kiriot, easy prey for Satan. Note: In O.T. Kiriot was a town in Moab; in the N.T, it was a town on the southern boarder of Judah.
Leavening, in the Bible, references sin. To eat unleavened bread during Passover week is to be a reminder of how we are to put sin out of our lives. The word bread has been translated to English Bibles in place of the original text, matzah. Matzah is made with piercings (Jesus was pierced in His side) and striped with slashes (Jesus was lashed with a whip). Bread itself is a reference to the flesh of Jesus that was stripped at the whipping post, where He took our infirmities upon Himself, Isa. 53:4-5, 1Cor. 11:29-30.
The wine represents the blood He shed from the Garden of Gethsemane all the way to the cross. Pure blood (not tainted by His human parents) that is holy enough to cover all of man’s sins from the beginning of time until His return.
Both bread and wine come from elements (wheat and grapes) that have to be crushed in order to be used just as we must be crushed into humility, through the trials of life, before God can use us.
The foot washing is addressed in all four gospels. Jesus told Peter, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” This makes a subtle reference to baptism as public confession and cleansing. Another aspect of foot washing, that makes it difficult for so many people, is the humbling effect. Pride has always been an issue with God and in the life of Jesus. God can use a repentant sinner but not a proud person.
They finished with a hymn (Heb: the Hallel) of praise, Mt. 26:30. We were created to praise God. The meaning of our life is not fulfilled until we learn what a blessing it is to praise God.
Passover (Heb: “Pesach”), has a meal the evening before. In Jewish culture, a day begins at sundown the eve before. Traditionally, bitter herbs, washings, wine and matzah are used. Passover is also called The Festival of Matzah. (Matzah is a large unleavened cracker.) Washing hands and feet represent the need to be cleansed before approaching Holy God.
A rabbi’s follower would consider it an honor to have his rabbi request the use of his home for him and his students to observe Passover service, Mt. 26:18.
In Matthew 26:20, we see they were reclining at the table. This is to show appreciation for the freedom from slavery in Egypt brought through the sacrificial lamb of Passover. We know this is an important element because it is listed in the first three books of the Gospels. Jesus, represented by the lamb’s blood over the wooden door posts on the first Passover is the perfect lamb sacrifice on the wooden cross for our sins today.
Matthew 26:23 refers to a bowl. It may have contained the paste called “maror” (Heb: bitter herb), made from horseradish or bitter lettuce. Judas and Jesus shared in this bowl of bitter herbs; both were about to face a bitter end.
Note: Judas always referred to Jesus as “teacher” while all the other apostles called him, “Lord”. Judas was a thief, Jn. 12:6 and an outsider, from Kiriot, easy prey for Satan. Note: In O.T. Kiriot was a town in Moab; in the N.T, it was a town on the southern boarder of Judah.
Leavening, in the Bible, references sin. To eat unleavened bread during Passover week is to be a reminder of how we are to put sin out of our lives. The word bread has been translated to English Bibles in place of the original text, matzah. Matzah is made with piercings (Jesus was pierced in His side) and striped with slashes (Jesus was lashed with a whip). Bread itself is a reference to the flesh of Jesus that was stripped at the whipping post, where He took our infirmities upon Himself, Isa. 53:4-5, 1Cor. 11:29-30.
The wine represents the blood He shed from the Garden of Gethsemane all the way to the cross. Pure blood (not tainted by His human parents) that is holy enough to cover all of man’s sins from the beginning of time until His return.
Both bread and wine come from elements (wheat and grapes) that have to be crushed in order to be used just as we must be crushed into humility, through the trials of life, before God can use us.
The foot washing is addressed in all four gospels. Jesus told Peter, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” This makes a subtle reference to baptism as public confession and cleansing. Another aspect of foot washing, that makes it difficult for so many people, is the humbling effect. Pride has always been an issue with God and in the life of Jesus. God can use a repentant sinner but not a proud person.
They finished with a hymn (Heb: the Hallel) of praise, Mt. 26:30. We were created to praise God. The meaning of our life is not fulfilled until we learn what a blessing it is to praise God.
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