April 2, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Thursday, April 2.
Tonight I have the opportunity to do something I’ve never done before, but have always wanted to do - I’m going to a Jewish Seder. I’ve heard teachers teach about the Seder. I’ve heard preachers preach about the Seder. I’ve read my share of material about it. But there’s no education more effective than personal experience, and this evening, at long last, I’ll experience the Jewish Passover ceremony called . . . the Seder.
My Seder gathering will be at a Methodist church, but Jews around the world will be gathering tonight, mostly in private homes, to observe this ancient rite, this holy meal, a meal that will include unleavened bread, bitter herbs, perhaps a Passover lamb, and a half dozen other menu items, each one full of symbolism and story. The basic story of the Seder (and of Passover) deals with the Israelites, who were slaves in Egypt, gaining their freedom through the strength, care, and love of Jehovah.
Since my event is sponsored by Christians, I’m sure that parallels will be shared between the Passover meal and the Lord’s Supper or Communion. Before He established the New Covenant, Jesus and the Twelve shared a meal together on that Thursday night in the Upper Room. Scripture doesn’t make it clear exactly what that meal involved, but it definitely was not a Seder like the one I’ll experience tonight - the present form wasn’t put into place until long after the time of Christ. But we can assume that the Last Supper, occurring during Passover week, included some of the same symbols. Perhaps, as was the custom, the lamb that the disciples sacrificed in the Temple earlier that week, was the centerpiece of this dinner - the Passover Lamb, whose blood on the doorposts had spared the first born sons of the Israelites from the death angel.
Jesus, being the Master Teacher, took the old covenant story and made it new. He transformed the Passover Lamb into “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”. He used His last teachable moment to leave a lasting impression on His disciples. And each time we observe our Christian ritual, each time we take the Bread and the Cup, it leaves a lasting impression on us as well.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
