A Passover Celebration

(1 Corinthians 5. 7-8)

Jesus sent His disciples to go and prepare the Passover Meal And Jesus said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer … (Luke 8 and 15) 

“Eat this in remembrance of me…” how well most of us know these familiar words, first spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper, and now part of the Christian Communion Service.  I wonder how many of us were aware of the full significance of The Passover meal and why Jews, throughout the world, still celebrate it? 

Sixty nine of us gathered at All Saints Meeting Room on the Wednesday of Holy Week (8 April). Led by Revd Haydon Wilcox we were helped, through a series of tastings and explanations, to trace the same steps that Jesus took at his last supper with the disciples.   We were intrigued to find that on the table in front of us was set a platter containing minced Horseradish root, a lamb shank bone, sweet sauce which tasted a bit like peanut butter, sprigs of parsley, small lettuce leaves, a roasted egg and a cup of salt water.  There were jugs of red grape juice and each of us had a tiny wine glass to drink from.  There was also Matzos, or unleavened bread.   

Haydon explained that The Passover Seder, or Order of Celebration, is usually led by the father/host of the house. Traditionally, the Passover Meal is eaten reclining on cushions to symbolise freedom from slavery (Luke 22 1-14).  We sat on wooden chairs and used our imaginations.   God instructed the Israelites to celebrate the Passover every year and, by being faithful, Jews celebrate it today with joy and thanksgiving, as if it is living history.  The Seder takes place in the evening after sundown because the Biblical day starts at sundown.  But what about the different items on the platter before us?  Haydon explained that the platter is called The Seder Plate.  Symbolism in the Seder includes: 

• Green vegetable – parsley – representing Life Salt Water – representing the Red Sea 
• The Bitter Herb (in this case, Horseradish) – representing the life in Egypt The Horseradish also brought tears to our eyes so that we do not forget the hardships the Israelites endured in Egypt.  
• Charoset (a Sweet sauce) – representing Hope in God 

• The lamb’s shank bone symbolised the Passover Lamb.

• The egg is a fairly recent Jewish addition and would not have been there at the Last Supper. 

Reverently, but with humour, reflecting the mixture of solemnity and thankfulness of the celebration, Haydon talked us through the Seder and encouraged us to taste the different dishes at the appropriate moments. 

Before the meal we were invited to ceremonially wash our hands.  This represented purity.   We were also introduced to the Four Cups of Wine. 

• The Cup of Sanctification – God has set apart the Holy Feast Day.
• The Cup of Judgement and Praise – God’s judgement is poured out but God has also promised a means of deliverance.
• The Cup of Redemption – symbolising the covering of the shed blood of the Passover Lamb (fulfilled for us in Jesus, although this is not recognised by the Jews).
• The Cup of Completion – we give thanks for God’s four-fold redemption: “I will bring you out, I will deliver you, I will redeem you, I will take you to be my people.”  
• A fifth cup, The Cup of Elijah, not one of the four ceremonial Cups, is poured before the meal. 

The Jews are still awaiting the return of the prophet Elijah, but Jesus has told us that John the Baptist was a type of Elijah and has already come (Matt 17. 10-13).  Traditionally, this cup is drunk by the host after the children have looked outside the front door, to ascertain that Elijah is not outside, waiting to be let in.  

Haydon also showed us the special Matzah Cover, which has three pockets.  One Matzah was placed in each pocket. He then removed the middle Matzah and broke it in two.  He wrapped one half in a linen cloth and hid it (in the top of the piano). Traditionally, the children find it later, and eat it after the main part of the meal.  The other half, representing the Bread of Affliction, was shared round the table. 

Traditionally, the telling of the Passover Story is introduced by children asking four questions, the answers to which enable the story to be told.  The importance of family and friends gathering to take part in this intimate celebration was constantly stressed by Haydon.   Although there were no children present, the meal helped us to feel like a family celebrating something special together.  We too, connected with the solemnity and the laughter … and left with a spirit of awe and thankfulness at the sacrifice which our Lord made for us and the wonder of our heritage. 

We also realised how deeply the Old and New Testaments are intertwined.  As Christ said, he did not come to do away with the Old Testament Law, but to fulfil it.  After the Seder Meal, the hardworking team of catering volunteers served a delicious lamb casserole and piping hot baked potatoes followed by Baklava.  

Thanking them, Haydon also thanked Mrs Joan Bradnam, from The Church on the Heath, who has a wide knowledge of Jewish customs and helped him plan the evening.  He also paid tribute to Helen Ledger, who compiled a PowerPoint presentation and the Passover Celebration booklet, which was used for the evening.  

Sally Hastings  

This entry was posted on 22/04/2009 at 12:45 am and is filed under Faith. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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