Posts Tagged ‘Christian Passover’

The night before He died…

Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples in the Upper Room. Together, they ate the Passover meal according to the ritual laid out in the Jewish Seder, a worshipful ceremony which celebrates God’s work in their national history. The Seder service retells their story through four ‘cups’: the Cup of Freedom, the Cup of Deliverance, the Cup of Redemption and the Cup of Hallel (Praise).

Each section of the Seder — each cup, if you will — has a story that precedes it. At the conclusion of the storyline, participants consume the whole cup of wine or juice.  The second cup, the Cup of Deliverance, specifically commemorates God’s work in freeing the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt through each of the plagues and ultimately the death of all firstborn (Exodus 7-12). In my study of the Passover meal, I learned that this second cup is not a full cup of wine.

In the Bible, a full or overflowing cup is a symbol of joy or satisfaction.

The Jewish people take no joy in the many deaths their deliverance required. And so, when the wine is poured for the Second Cup, it is filled only partially. Furthermore, in the telling of the Second Cup, the Jews recount each of the ten plagues and spill a drop of wine for each plague, representing a loss of joy due to the suffering of their enemies.

As we solemnly observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in anticipation of Easter this Sunday, I wonder if we might take a cue from Israel and pour our glasses only partially full at mealtimes in the coming days before Easter when our joy is again full.

In this might we remember that our deliverance from the wages of sin cost Jesus His life.

He died for us while we were still His enemies (Romans 5:6-8). His willingness to drink the cup set before Him, purchased our redemption.

Consider participating in or hosting a Christian Seder;
I recommend Ann Hibbard’s book,
Family Celebrations at Easter.