"Passover forms the primary background for understanding the events of the Upper Room, the symbolism of the Lord's Table, and the meaning of the Messiah's death.
God commanded that Passover be observed as a memorial forever (Ex. 12:14). He also declared that it was to be kept by a service (Ex. 12:25). This service was to incorporate the lamb, matzah (unleavened bread), and bitter herbs and to raise questions in the minds of the children so that the Exodus story could be rehearsed from generation to generation (Ex 12:26-27). The ritual Passover service was called the Seder from the Hebrew word 'order.'"
Here are a few pictures from parts of our traditional Seder meal this year with our family and some of the young people in our discipleship groups.
The table is set
To begin the service, the father pours the first cup of wine and asks everyone to rise as he recites the Kiddush "prayer of sanctification" to set the day apart to God. It was Christ, as the leader of the Seder service observed in the Upper Room, who said the Kiddush. "Then He took the cup, and gave thanks" (Lk. 22:17)
Bryson eating the karpas (green vegetable - parsley) dipped in salt water as a reminder of the tears of pain and suffering shed by the Jewish people in slavery.
Breaking and distributing the Matza or "unleavened bread"
The boys are not too excited about tasting the bitter herbs! each person eats a piece of matzah dipped in the horseradish and haroset (apple mixture). This is a reminder of the sweetness of God's redemption in the midst of Israel's bitter slavery. God has rescued us just like the Israelites, we've been rescued from sin and death and invited to the promise land in heaven. You take a big enough bite of horseradish it will bring tears to your eyes! You can't wait to taste the sweetness of the haroset, redemption!
STORYTELLING AT ITS BEST!
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