Buildontherock: Passover service example

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Passover service example

author: buildontherock

published: 2023-04-06 last updated: 2025-04-14

At Passover we celebrate Christ's death and more. Before Christ died He rejected the existing Passover ceremony and instituted what He wanted us to focus on as Christians. Passover has always been a test. The first Israelites had to choose a lamb on the tenth day of the month to even have a chance to be saved on the fourteenth. In our time Paul points out that we must test ourselves especially with regard to the body and blood. We are told in 1 Corinthians 11:26-29 (KJV), For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.[27]Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.[28]But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.[29]For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. Tonight God is pleased that we are here to do a main exam for the year. We have no option but to take Passover but my role is to make sure that we examine ourselves and do what He said, therefore at various points I will give us a minute to reflect on our inadequacies and thank God for His mercy to us.

[Opening Prayer done here]

Some people to Remember

There are some significant people that we need to remember at Passover because God put them there. The Passover service is a memorial and hence the time to remember Christ, His mission and the significant people in His life. A full memorial also looks at the significant places and events but there is no service long enough for all that.

Christ

The person who makes Passover possible is Christ and although He did not put His suffering directly in His requirements we want to, and need to remember His sacrifice, because we don't want such a sacrifices to be treated carelessly. Everything about Passover is Christ but we now give special thanks for His sacrifice.

Isaiah 52:13-15(KJV) Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. ¹⁴As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: ¹⁵So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

The agreement was made at the foundation of the world. While His death was a requirement to redeem us there is nothing in scripture that says that He had to heal us, and so be beaten mercilessly. In spite of this Christ submitted Himself to the human form of justice, which demanded crucifixion and scourging. He could have said, no way, that is not an obligation, or give some other valid excuse but that is the whole point. He did not do it through obligation but out of of His love for us. Because He went the extra mile and His body was mutilated He also paid for our bodies broken through sickness and disease. Now when we are sick we can boldly say that our healing is paid for and ask for His mercy.

Isaiah 53:1-9 (KJV) Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? ²For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. ³He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. ⁴Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. ⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ⁷He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. ⁸He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. ⁹And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

[pause for a personal prayer of thanks for Christ's amazing Love demonstrated in sacrifice and suffering for us]

Judas

After they had completed supper some surprising things occurred. This incident would have been after the foot washing and therefore long after super ended.

John 13:21-29 [KJV] When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. ²² Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.: ²³ Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. ²⁴ Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. ²⁵ He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?: ²⁶ Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. ²⁷ And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. ²⁸ Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. ²⁹ For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

Being present vs being one

Judas was there for everything. Because we come to Church does not mean that we have a pure heart. Just being here is not the determining factor. We need Christ so much, to root out the evil that comes so naturally to us. Another thing that Judas teaches us is that we can make mistakes that we cannot fix, no matter how much we regret.

Matthew 27:3-5 [KJV]Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, ⁴ Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. ⁵ And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

Love in spite of betrayal

Christ continued to love Judas as His friend even after it was clear what Judas was up to.

Matthew 26:48-51 [KJV] Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. ⁴⁹ And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. ⁵⁰ And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. ⁵¹ And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.

In spite of it all, for Judas there was no going back to how things were. That was tragic. What we learn from Christ is that He does not abandon His friends even when they betray Him. That is glorious.

[pause for reflection on Judas]

Peter

Satan wants to destroy us and we cannot imagine what is done behind the scenes to preserve us.

Luke 22:31-32 (KJV) And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:³²But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Just like Peter and the rest of disciples, we think that we would never deny Christ. Peter Loved Christ and did not want Christ to wash his feet. In spite of his deep devotion Christ made a prediction that Peter would deny and disown him. We are all like Peter.

Matthew 26:31-35 (KJV) Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. ³²But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. ³³Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. ³⁴Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. ³⁵Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Notice that all of the disciples agreed. Christ wants us to remember Peter. Without Christ we will fail miserably even with the best of intentions.

Luke 22:60-62 (KJV) And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. ⁶¹And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. ⁶²And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Our spirit alone may be willing but it is not enough to compete with the weakness of the flesh. Even with a pure heart we do not stand a chance against Satan. We need the Holy Spirit, accessed by Christ's blood.

[pause for reflection on Peter as he pictures us]

The two criminals

Christ made it a point to have the story of two criminals recorded for our instruction at Passover. They were criminals. They were sinners. As it turns out one of these was our brother. This event teaches us at least two things. First, God's Kingdom belongs to God. The Commandments etc. are important but He decides who goes in. It is not for us to judge. Secondly, For some people the right opportunity for salvation can come at the very last minute. Christ did not condemn people because of their mistakes but encouraged them to purify their hearts and be saved even at the last minute.

Luke 23:39-45 (KJV) And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. ⁴⁰But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? ⁴¹And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. ⁴²And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. ⁴³And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. ⁴⁴And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. ⁴⁵And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

[pause and thank God for His patience to the last minute and to brothers and sisters whom we overlook]

Mary

Christ loved His biological family very much. Even in His time of deepest distress He sought to look after them while He could have been focussing on His own needs. At the Crucifixion Christ was going to be gone for three days but he made sure the He looked out for the needs of His mother.

John 19:25-27 [KJV]Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! ²⁷ Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

He could have made all sorts of excuses to making those arrangements while dangling from a cross. What is your excuse to making arrangements for your family's needs?

[pause and thank think about your excuses for not supplying the needs of your family, and Christ's family]

Christ again

God recorded these at Passover because He wants us to remember them at Passover. In spite of knowing what we are like and what He must go through we find that Christ spent most of His last hours comforting His disciples as we just showed with Peter. Judas had left the scene in John 13 so Christ was talking with the ones who had remained faithful.

John 15:1-20 (KJV) I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. ²Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. ³Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. ⁴Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ⁵I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ⁶If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. ⁸Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ⁹As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. ¹⁰If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. ¹¹These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. ¹²This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ¹³Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. ¹⁵Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. ¹⁶Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. ¹⁷These things I command you, that ye love one another. ¹⁸If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. ²⁰Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

[pause and thank God for Christ's comfort]

The Meaning of the Night to be much observed

Christians are not to copy the Seder or else Christ wasted His time. He could just have told them to make sure that they attended the Seder and not bother with the annual supper of Passover which He observed. This celebration was especially created for us to deal with the special problems that Christians have. There are four symbols. Foot washing is about how we relate to our brothers, the body and blood is how we relate to Christ. The last one is personal, the vigil is how motivated we are.

Foot washing (Being Ministers, being about my Fathers business)

Foot washing is about serving and in particular serving the Father. Christ always did the Father's will. We have a responsibility to serve as is found in Matthew 24-25, right up to the end. It is also expressed in Luke.

Luke 12:42-48 (KJV) And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? ⁴³ Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. ⁴⁴ Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. ⁴⁵ But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; ⁴⁶ The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. ⁴⁷ And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. ⁴⁸ But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Foot washing not only shows that we need to always help where we can but from Peter we learn never to refuse Christ's help. Christ did not just talk about being a servant He actually did it and still does. His example for us is that nobody asked Christ to wash their feet, He saw a need and filled it. He did not do it halfheartedly. He not only washed their feet but dried them too. The foot washing is a part of the vigil that reminds us that the household of God needs to serve each other. We are to ensure that the household is provided for at all cost. No task is too menial and we never act alone. We are to be diligent about it, serving until He returns.

John 13:3-15 [KJV] Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; ⁴ He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. ⁵ After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. ⁶ Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? ⁷ Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. ⁸ Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. ⁹ Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. ¹⁰ Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. ¹¹ For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. ¹² So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? ¹³ Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

In order for the Father to work through us we must be clean. For the priest to put on the Priestly robes and serve they had to be clean. If we sit still and do nothing we will always be clean but as soon as we try to do good we will get dirty, nevertheless we must continue to act. Participation opens the opportunity to criticise and be criticised because nobody is perfect. Christ did not criticise the feet. Our role is not to criticise or condemn others but to pitch in and help and also welcome the help from others.

Peter misunderstood at first. When Christ said that if He could not wash Peter's feet then Peter had no part (share) with Him then Peter understood that it will never be a one man show. We may think that we can wash our own feet but we always want Christ to be a part of what we do, not only washing feet but washing hands and everything else. John 13:9 (KJV) records, Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

But this is the same Peter that denied Christ. If we don't participate we are excluded from Christ but in order to participate successfully we need the help of Christ and our brothers.

[as we wash our brother's feet, pause to reflect on if we serve the Father wholeheartedly like Christ or with the heart of a scorner]

Bread (All healing, Internalising Him for growth and development)

growth and development

The body and blood together create the brotherhood. They are not an offering or a sacrifice. They are a memorial. In general Christ is all bread, leavened and unleavened, all life. When the Lord's Prayer says Give us this day our daily bread it is talking about sustaining life for one more day. Bread preserves our physical life but bread alone cannot sustain us eternally. That is done by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Christ is that Word and is the bread (John 6:48-51). He became flesh and we must internalise Him meaning that His life must become our life, His body and actions, our body and actions. That is what breaking and consuming the bread means. For our growth and development we must emulate Him in everything, not just dying. We are Christ's brothers by how we act.

All healing

The symbol of breaking bread with disciples is used at Passover as a memorial of His entire life on Earth. Apart from the growth and development described above it shows how Christ covered our transgressions by being unjustly spiritually and physically mutilated in spite of living a sinless life. From Isaiah 52 we learn that his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men. Isaiah 53 focuses on spiritual, emotional or psychological issues where He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. Christ's body was unjustly made unwell and He is owed recompense. This is something else left us in His will because He never was compensated. It flows from Him into people to achieve healing. Physical healing is instantaneous but spiritual healing takes longer. Christ does not heal sinners. The first step in healing is acceptance and so it first requires forgiveness of sin. The bread also demonstrates acceptance.

At Passover Christ is Unleavened Bread

From the Old Covenant unleavened bread says that we are eager to sacrifice all the things that make this life soft and pleasant (not necessarily sinful), in order to attain our freedom from sin. Paul describes these implications of Unleavened Bread particularly well in 2 Corinthians 4.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18 [KJV] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ⁸We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. ¹¹For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. ¹²So then death worketh in us, but life in you. ¹³ We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; ¹⁴Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. ¹⁵For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. ¹⁶For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. ¹⁷For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; ¹⁸While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The Hebrews had to be ready to leave their homes behind and Jesus tells us The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. They had to be prepared to give up their whole lifestyle and most possessions. Are we that ready for the Kingdom?

At Passover Christ is leavened Bread

Bear in mind that leaven in the time of Christ was dough. In the New Covenant Christ is the leaven of the Kingdom of God and so He produces leavened bread. When we eat the bread at Passover it represents Christ and we expect it to permeate all our lives.

Matthew 13:33 [KJV] Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened

That is opposed to the self righteous leaven of this world i.e. leaven of the Pharisees.

Luke 12:1 [KJV] In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy

Matthew 16:12 [KJV] Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Unleaven and Leaven

Taken together we understand spiritual and physical healing and growth to spiritual maturity. He is the kingdom in us growing. We see the transformation in the lives that He touched and see Him build the Kingdom from a mustard seed.

As we take the bread, pause to reflect on if our lives reflect a willingness to sacrifice all pleasures of this life for the Kingdom and if we let Christ take over our lives to bring healing.

Wine (The Contract, Eternal life, martyrdom)

The wine, or cup, was His Last will and Testament (Luke 22:20) and a sign of martyrdom (John 18:11). It is a contract based on brotherhood. Anything that He purchased or redeemed by His death we inherit. The blood shows unity with Him as our first-born older brother and therefore entitlement to be beneficiaries of His will. We drink the blood and the same blood (life/spirit) that flows in us flowed in Him. It says that we are one and therefore have the same love that He has. It means that if roles were reversed we would do just as He did.

Hebrews 9:15-22 (KJV) And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. ¹⁶ For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. ¹⁷ For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. ¹⁸ Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. ¹⁹ For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, ²⁰ Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. ²¹ Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. ²² And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

It is because of the blood that we can enter the Holy place and receive the gift left us in His will ;Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:19-22) [KJV].

There is another way to drink the blood.

Revelation 17:6 (KJV) And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Revelation 6:9 (KJV) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

The woman drank the blood but we share the cup. One woman drained the life blood from many to enrich herself but many Christians drink one blood to become one. Sharing the cup means that whatever happens to one happens to all. As we share His death we will share His eternal life.

[as we take the wine, pause to reflect on if we are truly the kind of brothers that He should die to leave His inheritance for]

Vigil (Watching for God's Deliverance)

The final area that God examines at Passover is our vigilance but vigilance for what? This is emphasized in another requirement set out in I Corinthians 11:26 [KJV]: For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Christ was on a mission and He died unwaveringly in pursuit of that mission. Zechariah speaks of the betrayal: And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. [13] And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD, (Zechariah 11:12-13 [KJV]). Judas' was intentional but some did it through weariness. Christ and the disciples concluded the night with a vigil. They were supposedly on the same mission and so should have had the same dedication but when the final hours came He was left alone. It was all prophesied. We are to watch vigilantly because from Exodus 12:22-23 (i) we dare not leave God's protection until the coast is clear, and (2) from Exodus 12:11 we are to be ready to face what is coming, not caught off guard. The other items of Passover show us how to do that i.e. how to be vigilant: internalise His word (his body and life experiences), internalise the mark of his blood (always remain within the covenant, i.e. be His brother) and finally be about God's business (foot washing). Christ went out focussed and fighting for others to the end. The incident with the two thieves teaches us among other things that we must always be prepared for the next trial. One would have thought that after all that He had gone through it would be plain sailing until the end but He had to deal with sorting them out while on the cross!

God describes the requirement to watch in various ways. Isaiah tells us that watchmen cannot rest (Isaiah 62:6) and Solomon says that they are up and about at night (Song of Solomon 3:3 and 5:7). Some scriptures have to do with marriage and virgins losing out like Matthew 25:1-13 and in Matthew 24:37-51. We are told that in the Days of Noah people were not watching but were carrying on as normal even while Noah entered the ark. John tells us to watch for Antichrists (1 John 2:12-19). We will look at one watching-parable from Luke.

Luke 12:34-40 (KJV) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ³⁵ Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; ³⁶ And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. ³⁷ Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. ³⁸ And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. ³⁹ And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. ⁴⁰ Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Just before the next reading Christ had told them (or really us) that they would scatter and leave Him (Matthew 26:31-35). It did not sink in. They could not imagine the impact of the imminent deception and violence. Their eyes were too heavy and they kept falling asleep instead of watching.

Matthew 26:43-47 (KJV) And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. ⁴⁵ Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. ⁴⁷ And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Even though He had told them it came unexpectedly. Peter, James and John did not know the time and they were not aware that it was their darkest hour. When the crisis came they were lost, out of touch with the Holy Spirit to lead them. Circumstances just overwhelmed them.

At Passover God examines how we watch. God has also made us watchmen.

Psalms 127 (KJV) A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.²It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.³Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.⁴As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.⁵Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

In Ezekiel 3:17 God warns us that when He makes us watchmen we are accountable to warn people but if they do not listen that is their problem. This is expanded on in Ezekiel 33. In Hosea 9:8 we are warned that God has watchmen but they are not necessarily the prophets. Gods watchmen are dependable but the prophets may be liars and deceivers.

We should remain in prayerful contact with God, always vigilant, and we always might, if only we did not get so weary as we might be by now. Fortunately for us Christ never gets tired and sleepy. His Holy Spirit takes over where we blank out.

[Before we close, pause to reflect on if we are always vigilant or if He has to wake us up]

Conclusion

Christ again

Passover has always been about Christ being concerned that we survive, whether it is Egypt or modern day sin. He suffered and died and it was a tremendous burden but His burden has never been His main concern. His concern is how his disciples survive the darkness and we are His disciples too.

John 17:9-26 (KJV) I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. ¹⁰And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. ¹¹And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. ¹²While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. ¹³And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. ¹⁴I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. ¹⁵I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. ¹⁶They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. ¹⁷Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. ¹⁸As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. ¹⁹And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. ²⁰Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; ²¹That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. ²²And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: ²³I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. ²⁴Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. ²⁵ O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. ²⁶And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Before they finished they sang a Hymn.

[Closing hymn done here]

Welcome! Article Comments Catalog Table of Contents: Some people to Remember Christ Judas Being present vs being one Love in spite of betrayal Peter The two criminals Mary Christ again The Meaning of the Night to be much observed Foot washing (Being Ministers, being about my Fathers business) Bread (All healing, Internalising Him for growth and development) growth and development All healing At Passover Christ is Unleavened Bread At Passover Christ is leavened Bread Unleaven and Leaven Wine (The Contract, Eternal life, martyrdom) Vigil (Watching for God's Deliverance) Conclusion Christ again	faq about Home log in register
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	Passover service example
	author: buildontherock published: 2023-04-06 last updated: 2025-04-14
	At Passover we celebrate Christ's death and more. Before Christ died He rejected the existing Passover ceremony and instituted what He wanted us to focus on as Christians. Passover has always been a test. The first Israelites had to choose a lamb on the tenth day of the month to even have a chance to be saved on the fourteenth. In our time Paul points out that we must test ourselves especially with regard to the body and blood. We are told in 1 Corinthians 11:26-29 (KJV), For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.[27]Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.[28]But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.[29]For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. Tonight God is pleased that we are here to do a main exam for the year. We have no option but to take Passover but my role is to make sure that we examine ourselves and do what He said, therefore at various points I will give us a minute to reflect on our inadequacies and thank God for His mercy to us. [Opening Prayer done here] Some people to Remember There are some significant people that we need to remember at Passover because God put them there. The Passover service is a memorial and hence the time to remember Christ, His mission and the significant people in His life. A full memorial also looks at the significant places and events but there is no service long enough for all that. Christ The person who makes Passover possible is Christ and although He did not put His suffering directly in His requirements we want to, and need to remember His sacrifice, because we don't want such a sacrifices to be treated carelessly. Everything about Passover is Christ but we now give special thanks for His sacrifice. Isaiah 52:13-15(KJV) Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. ¹⁴As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: ¹⁵So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. The agreement was made at the foundation of the world. While His death was a requirement to redeem us there is nothing in scripture that says that He had to heal us, and so be beaten mercilessly. In spite of this Christ submitted Himself to the human form of justice, which demanded crucifixion and scourging. He could have said, no way, that is not an obligation, or give some other valid excuse but that is the whole point. He did not do it through obligation but out of of His love for us. Because He went the extra mile and His body was mutilated He also paid for our bodies broken through sickness and disease. Now when we are sick we can boldly say that our healing is paid for and ask for His mercy. Isaiah 53:1-9 (KJV) Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? ²For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. ³He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. ⁴Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. ⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ⁷He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. ⁸He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. ⁹And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. [pause for a personal prayer of thanks for Christ's amazing Love demonstrated in sacrifice and suffering for us] Judas After they had completed supper some surprising things occurred. This incident would have been after the foot washing and therefore long after super ended. John 13:21-29 [KJV] When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. ²² Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.: ²³ Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. ²⁴ Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. ²⁵ He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?: ²⁶ Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. ²⁷ And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. ²⁸ Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. ²⁹ For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. Being present vs being one Judas was there for everything. Because we come to Church does not mean that we have a pure heart. Just being here is not the determining factor. We need Christ so much, to root out the evil that comes so naturally to us. Another thing that Judas teaches us is that we can make mistakes that we cannot fix, no matter how much we regret. Matthew 27:3-5 [KJV]Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, ⁴ Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. ⁵ And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. Love in spite of betrayal Christ continued to love Judas as His friend even after it was clear what Judas was up to. Matthew 26:48-51 [KJV] Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. ⁴⁹ And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. ⁵⁰ And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. ⁵¹ And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. In spite of it all, for Judas there was no going back to how things were. That was tragic. What we learn from Christ is that He does not abandon His friends even when they betray Him. That is glorious. [pause for reflection on Judas] Peter Satan wants to destroy us and we cannot imagine what is done behind the scenes to preserve us. Luke 22:31-32 (KJV) And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:³²But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Just like Peter and the rest of disciples, we think that we would never deny Christ. Peter Loved Christ and did not want Christ to wash his feet. In spite of his deep devotion Christ made a prediction that Peter would deny and disown him. We are all like Peter. Matthew 26:31-35 (KJV) Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. ³²But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. ³³Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. ³⁴Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. ³⁵Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Notice that all of the disciples agreed. Christ wants us to remember Peter. Without Christ we will fail miserably even with the best of intentions. Luke 22:60-62 (KJV) And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. ⁶¹And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. ⁶²And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. Our spirit alone may be willing but it is not enough to compete with the weakness of the flesh. Even with a pure heart we do not stand a chance against Satan. We need the Holy Spirit, accessed by Christ's blood. [pause for reflection on Peter as he pictures us] The two criminals Christ made it a point to have the story of two criminals recorded for our instruction at Passover. They were criminals. They were sinners. As it turns out one of these was our brother. This event teaches us at least two things. First, God's Kingdom belongs to God. The Commandments etc. are important but He decides who goes in. It is not for us to judge. Secondly, For some people the right opportunity for salvation can come at the very last minute. Christ did not condemn people because of their mistakes but encouraged them to purify their hearts and be saved even at the last minute. Luke 23:39-45 (KJV) And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. ⁴⁰But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? ⁴¹And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. ⁴²And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. ⁴³And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. ⁴⁴And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. ⁴⁵And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. [pause and thank God for His patience to the last minute and to brothers and sisters whom we overlook] Mary Christ loved His biological family very much. Even in His time of deepest distress He sought to look after them while He could have been focussing on His own needs. At the Crucifixion Christ was going to be gone for three days but he made sure the He looked out for the needs of His mother. John 19:25-27 [KJV]Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! ²⁷ Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. He could have made all sorts of excuses to making those arrangements while dangling from a cross. What is your excuse to making arrangements for your family's needs? [pause and thank think about your excuses for not supplying the needs of your family, and Christ's family] Christ again God recorded these at Passover because He wants us to remember them at Passover. In spite of knowing what we are like and what He must go through we find that Christ spent most of His last hours comforting His disciples as we just showed with Peter. Judas had left the scene in John 13 so Christ was talking with the ones who had remained faithful. John 15:1-20 (KJV) I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. ²Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. ³Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. ⁴Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ⁵I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ⁶If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. ⁸Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ⁹As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. ¹⁰If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. ¹¹These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. ¹²This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ¹³Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. ¹⁵Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. ¹⁶Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. ¹⁷These things I command you, that ye love one another. ¹⁸If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. ²⁰Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. [pause and thank God for Christ's comfort] The Meaning of the Night to be much observed Christians are not to copy the Seder or else Christ wasted His time. He could just have told them to make sure that they attended the Seder and not bother with the annual supper of Passover which He observed. This celebration was especially created for us to deal with the special problems that Christians have. There are four symbols. Foot washing is about how we relate to our brothers, the body and blood is how we relate to Christ. The last one is personal, the vigil is how motivated we are. Foot washing (Being Ministers, being about my Fathers business) Foot washing is about serving and in particular serving the Father. Christ always did the Father's will. We have a responsibility to serve as is found in Matthew 24-25, right up to the end. It is also expressed in Luke. Luke 12:42-48 (KJV) And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? ⁴³ Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. ⁴⁴ Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. ⁴⁵ But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; ⁴⁶ The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. ⁴⁷ And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. ⁴⁸ But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Foot washing not only shows that we need to always help where we can but from Peter we learn never to refuse Christ's help. Christ did not just talk about being a servant He actually did it and still does. His example for us is that nobody asked Christ to wash their feet, He saw a need and filled it. He did not do it halfheartedly. He not only washed their feet but dried them too. The foot washing is a part of the vigil that reminds us that the household of God needs to serve each other. We are to ensure that the household is provided for at all cost. No task is too menial and we never act alone. We are to be diligent about it, serving until He returns. John 13:3-15 [KJV] Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; ⁴ He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. ⁵ After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. ⁶ Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? ⁷ Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. ⁸ Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. ⁹ Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. ¹⁰ Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. ¹¹ For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. ¹² So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? ¹³ Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. In order for the Father to work through us we must be clean. For the priest to put on the Priestly robes and serve they had to be clean. If we sit still and do nothing we will always be clean but as soon as we try to do good we will get dirty, nevertheless we must continue to act. Participation opens the opportunity to criticise and be criticised because nobody is perfect. Christ did not criticise the feet. Our role is not to criticise or condemn others but to pitch in and help and also welcome the help from others. Peter misunderstood at first. When Christ said that if He could not wash Peter's feet then Peter had no part (share) with Him then Peter understood that it will never be a one man show. We may think that we can wash our own feet but we always want Christ to be a part of what we do, not only washing feet but washing hands and everything else. John 13:9 (KJV) records, Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. But this is the same Peter that denied Christ. If we don't participate we are excluded from Christ but in order to participate successfully we need the help of Christ and our brothers. [as we wash our brother's feet, pause to reflect on if we serve the Father wholeheartedly like Christ or with the heart of a scorner] Bread (All healing, Internalising Him for growth and development) growth and development The body and blood together create the brotherhood. They are not an offering or a sacrifice. They are a memorial. In general Christ is all bread, leavened and unleavened, all life. When the Lord's Prayer says Give us this day our daily bread it is talking about sustaining life for one more day. Bread preserves our physical life but bread alone cannot sustain us eternally. That is done by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Christ is that Word and is the bread (John 6:48-51). He became flesh and we must internalise Him meaning that His life must become our life, His body and actions, our body and actions. That is what breaking and consuming the bread means. For our growth and development we must emulate Him in everything, not just dying. We are Christ's brothers by how we act. All healing The symbol of breaking bread with disciples is used at Passover as a memorial of His entire life on Earth. Apart from the growth and development described above it shows how Christ covered our transgressions by being unjustly spiritually and physically mutilated in spite of living a sinless life. From Isaiah 52 we learn that his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men. Isaiah 53 focuses on spiritual, emotional or psychological issues where He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. Christ's body was unjustly made unwell and He is owed recompense. This is something else left us in His will because He never was compensated. It flows from Him into people to achieve healing. Physical healing is instantaneous but spiritual healing takes longer. Christ does not heal sinners. The first step in healing is acceptance and so it first requires forgiveness of sin. The bread also demonstrates acceptance. At Passover Christ is Unleavened Bread From the Old Covenant unleavened bread says that we are eager to sacrifice all the things that make this life soft and pleasant (not necessarily sinful), in order to attain our freedom from sin. Paul describes these implications of Unleavened Bread particularly well in 2 Corinthians 4. 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 [KJV] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ⁸We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. ¹¹For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. ¹²So then death worketh in us, but life in you. ¹³ We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; ¹⁴Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. ¹⁵For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. ¹⁶For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. ¹⁷For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; ¹⁸While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. The Hebrews had to be ready to leave their homes behind and Jesus tells us The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. They had to be prepared to give up their whole lifestyle and most possessions. Are we that ready for the Kingdom? At Passover Christ is leavened Bread Bear in mind that leaven in the time of Christ was dough. In the New Covenant Christ is the leaven of the Kingdom of God and so He produces leavened bread. When we eat the bread at Passover it represents Christ and we expect it to permeate all our lives. Matthew 13:33 [KJV] Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened That is opposed to the self righteous leaven of this world i.e. leaven of the Pharisees. Luke 12:1 [KJV] In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy Matthew 16:12 [KJV] Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Unleaven and Leaven Taken together we understand spiritual and physical healing and growth to spiritual maturity. He is the kingdom in us growing. We see the transformation in the lives that He touched and see Him build the Kingdom from a mustard seed. As we take the bread, pause to reflect on if our lives reflect a willingness to sacrifice all pleasures of this life for the Kingdom and if we let Christ take over our lives to bring healing. Wine (The Contract, Eternal life, martyrdom) The wine, or cup, was His Last will and Testament (Luke 22:20) and a sign of martyrdom (John 18:11). It is a contract based on brotherhood. Anything that He purchased or redeemed by His death we inherit. The blood shows unity with Him as our first-born older brother and therefore entitlement to be beneficiaries of His will. We drink the blood and the same blood (life/spirit) that flows in us flowed in Him. It says that we are one and therefore have the same love that He has. It means that if roles were reversed we would do just as He did. Hebrews 9:15-22 (KJV) And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. ¹⁶ For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. ¹⁷ For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. ¹⁸ Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. ¹⁹ For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, ²⁰ Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. ²¹ Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. ²² And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It is because of the blood that we can enter the Holy place and receive the gift left us in His will ;Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:19-22) [KJV]. There is another way to drink the blood. Revelation 17:6 (KJV) And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. Revelation 6:9 (KJV) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: The woman drank the blood but we share the cup. One woman drained the life blood from many to enrich herself but many Christians drink one blood to become one. Sharing the cup means that whatever happens to one happens to all. As we share His death we will share His eternal life. [as we take the wine, pause to reflect on if we are truly the kind of brothers that He should die to leave His inheritance for] Vigil (Watching for God's Deliverance) The final area that God examines at Passover is our vigilance but vigilance for what? This is emphasized in another requirement set out in I Corinthians 11:26 [KJV]: For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Christ was on a mission and He died unwaveringly in pursuit of that mission. Zechariah speaks of the betrayal: And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. [13] And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD, (Zechariah 11:12-13 [KJV]). Judas' was intentional but some did it through weariness. Christ and the disciples concluded the night with a vigil. They were supposedly on the same mission and so should have had the same dedication but when the final hours came He was left alone. It was all prophesied. We are to watch vigilantly because from Exodus 12:22-23 (i) we dare not leave God's protection until the coast is clear, and (2) from Exodus 12:11 we are to be ready to face what is coming, not caught off guard. The other items of Passover show us how to do that i.e. how to be vigilant: internalise His word (his body and life experiences), internalise the mark of his blood (always remain within the covenant, i.e. be His brother) and finally be about God's business (foot washing). Christ went out focussed and fighting for others to the end. The incident with the two thieves teaches us among other things that we must always be prepared for the next trial. One would have thought that after all that He had gone through it would be plain sailing until the end but He had to deal with sorting them out while on the cross! God describes the requirement to watch in various ways. Isaiah tells us that watchmen cannot rest (Isaiah 62:6) and Solomon says that they are up and about at night (Song of Solomon 3:3 and 5:7). Some scriptures have to do with marriage and virgins losing out like Matthew 25:1-13 and in Matthew 24:37-51. We are told that in the Days of Noah people were not watching but were carrying on as normal even while Noah entered the ark. John tells us to watch for Antichrists (1 John 2:12-19). We will look at one watching-parable from Luke. Luke 12:34-40 (KJV) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ³⁵ Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; ³⁶ And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. ³⁷ Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. ³⁸ And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. ³⁹ And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. ⁴⁰ Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Just before the next reading Christ had told them (or really us) that they would scatter and leave Him (Matthew 26:31-35). It did not sink in. They could not imagine the impact of the imminent deception and violence. Their eyes were too heavy and they kept falling asleep instead of watching. Matthew 26:43-47 (KJV) And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. ⁴⁵ Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. ⁴⁷ And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Even though He had told them it came unexpectedly. Peter, James and John did not know the time and they were not aware that it was their darkest hour. When the crisis came they were lost, out of touch with the Holy Spirit to lead them. Circumstances just overwhelmed them. At Passover God examines how we watch. God has also made us watchmen. Psalms 127 (KJV) A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.²It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.³Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.⁴As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.⁵Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. In Ezekiel 3:17 God warns us that when He makes us watchmen we are accountable to warn people but if they do not listen that is their problem. This is expanded on in Ezekiel 33. In Hosea 9:8 we are warned that God has watchmen but they are not necessarily the prophets. Gods watchmen are dependable but the prophets may be liars and deceivers. We should remain in prayerful contact with God, always vigilant, and we always might, if only we did not get so weary as we might be by now. Fortunately for us Christ never gets tired and sleepy. His Holy Spirit takes over where we blank out. [Before we close, pause to reflect on if we are always vigilant or if He has to wake us up] Conclusion Christ again Passover has always been about Christ being concerned that we survive, whether it is Egypt or modern day sin. He suffered and died and it was a tremendous burden but His burden has never been His main concern. His concern is how his disciples survive the darkness and we are His disciples too. John 17:9-26 (KJV) I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. ¹⁰And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. ¹¹And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. ¹²While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. ¹³And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. ¹⁴I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. ¹⁵I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. ¹⁶They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. ¹⁷Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. ¹⁸As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. ¹⁹And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. ²⁰Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; ²¹That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. ²²And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: ²³I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. ²⁴Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. ²⁵ O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. ²⁶And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. Before they finished they sang a Hymn. [Closing hymn done here]