Do you know why Jesus was in Jerusalem this particular week? He came to Jerusalem virtually every year of His life to celebrate Passover. He was not there for Palm Sunday. He was there for the eternal purpose of fulfilling the original Passover in the deliverance from Egypt and the slavery of the wicked Pharaoh. The first Passover was symbolic. The Lamb’s blood on the doorpost did nothing about their sinfulness. It was a mark to spare the Israelites from the death of the firstborn, which was God’s judgement on Egypt.
When Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples, He was to become the ACTUAL LAMB OF GOD to take away the sins of the world for all who would believe in Him.
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1:29-33
Of course Christians call it the Last Supper, but it was actually a regular Passover under extraordinary circumstances. The first Passover in Egypt was to be remembered for all generations. But, when Jesus led this Passover He made a profound point which would change the future observance of Passover. He boldly charged the disciple to specifically remember Him from now on, every time they held a Passover meal.
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.” Luke 22:19
and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24
Oddly, most churches use Paul’s quotation rather than Luke’s. This has the subtle (unintentional) effect of slightly separating communion from the Passover. When Jesus said: “Do this…” He was referring to Passover. He is the Passover Lamb of God! We most certainly should have communion, but remember the Lamb. Remember the rest of the story. It is not about instituting a new religious sacrament. It is identifying Yeshua, our Messiah, as the Lamb slain for us! His blood is not symbolic; it is effectual in paying the price for our sin through His death. The eternal justice of Yehovah God is satisfied, that Jesus die in our place. God has closed the books on our sin for all who simply believe in Him who died. Hallelujah!
Christians should continue sharing communion, but we are also blessed to participate in the 3,500 year history of Passover. This is even more true once we reconnect to our Jewish roots through the Jewish Messiah.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for rain in the time of latter rain.
Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
Elisha Vision - Commentary 
It occurred to me in reading this post that Passover was instituted by the Lord for the purpose of remembering the deliverance from bondage in Egypt. When Jesus says “do this in remembrance of me” in the context of the Passover, the disciples would have understood exactly what he meant, changing their context from the Passover lamb in Egypt to the Passover lamb that delivers from the bondage of sin. Its almost like he was saying to continue celebrating Passover, not forgetting the deliverance from Egypt, but perhaps adding to that the ultimate deliverance from sin. Maybe the church was supposed to continue the Passover ceremony. Just a thought…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we see the beautiful fulfillment of the Passover and enjoy celebrating the full meaning. We celebrate the glory of God’s plan, not as a legal requirement, but as honor to the Lamb of God.
LikeLike
Amen ve Amen. I have a friend in Jerusalem, a Jewish lady, and she is teaching me Hebrew. This is a beautiful remembrance of the truth that we are but grafted into the Vine, Jesus.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists (Read more) […]
LikeLike