Jesus' Passover Meal: The Last Supper
The Last Supper, also known as the Passover meal, played a significant role in the life of Jesus and the history of Christianity. It marked the final gathering of Jesus with his disciples before his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection.
The Significance of the Passover
The Passover is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. During the Passover, families gather to share a special meal that symbolizes freedom and deliverance. The meal includes unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and a roasted lamb.
The Last Supper as a Passover Meal
Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples in Jerusalem. The meal was likely held in an upper room, as described in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 14:12-16). The disciples prepared the meal and followed the traditional Passover customs.
1. The Lamb as a Symbol
The roasted lamb in the Passover meal is a symbol of sacrifice. In the Old Testament, the Israelites sacrificed a lamb to atone for their sins. Jesus, as the "Lamb of God," sacrificed himself on the cross to atone for the sins of humanity.
2. The Unleavened Bread as a Symbol
Unleavened bread, which is made without yeast, represents the Israelites' haste in leaving Egypt. It also symbolizes purity and holiness. Jesus used the unleavened bread at the Last Supper to represent his own body, which would be broken for the forgiveness of sins.
3. The Bitter Herbs as a Symbol
Bitter herbs remind the Israelites of the bitterness of slavery. At the Last Supper, Jesus shared bitter herbs with his disciples as a reminder of the suffering he would endure before his resurrection.
The Institution of Holy Communion
During the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. He took bread and wine and blessed them, saying, "This is my body" and "This is my blood." He then commanded his disciples to eat and drink from them in remembrance of him.
The sharing of bread and wine symbolizes the unity of believers with Christ and with one another. Holy Communion is still celebrated in Christian churches today as a way of remembering Jesus' sacrifice and his presence among his followers.
The Passover meal that Jesus shared with his disciples was not just an ordinary meal. It was a meal of great significance that foreshadowed Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. The symbols of the lamb, the unleavened bread, and the bitter herbs remind us of the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus endured for our salvation. Holy Communion, instituted at the Last Supper, continues to be a central practice in Christian worship, connecting believers to Christ and one another.
