Jesus in Passover and Communion!

Topics: Passover, Communion

I. Passover and Communion Involve Preparation!

A. Bedikath Chametz is the preparation for Passover!

1. Seven days there shall be no leaven found in your houses; for whoever eats what is leavened, that person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is an alien or a native of the land (Exodus 12:19).
2. See I Corinthians 5:6-8.

B. Self-examination is the preparation for Communion!

Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

II. Passover and Communion Recalls Redemption!

A. The Seder celebration remembers redemption from slavery!

1. Festival Candles known as Brechat Haner.
2. Matza unity bag (3 in 1) - Why?
3. 4 cups of wine (The four "I will" of Exodus 6:6, 7)
4. Cup of Salt water = symbolizes tears
5. PLATE:

a) Zeroa = Shankbone of Lamb (Deut. 18:3; Isaiah 53:1; John 1:29)!
b) Marror = Bitter Herbs
c) Charoseth = Mixture of apples, nuts, cinnamon and wine (bricks & mortar)
d) Karpas = the dipping of the Parsley
e) Horseradish = bitterness of slavery
f) Hard-boiled egg = symbol of Lifecycle and destruction of Temple

B. The Lord's Supper remembers our redemption from sin!

1. And He said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer" (Luke 22:15).
2. See Luke 22:19 and partake of Bread.
3. See Luke 22:20 and partake of Cup.

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, July 7^th, 2024

Life group flow and discussion questions

"Jesus in Passover and Communion!"

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Celebrating Communion as a Life Group is a wonderful way to worship the Lord and renew devotion to His Lordship! Discuss how Passover is the foundation of the Lord's Supper.

Getting Started:

1. What did you learn about preparing for Communion from this sermon? Have you known anyone who misunderstand the adverb "an unworthy manner" and made it a legalistic qualification to take the elements?
2. How does the Seder celebration point to Jesus in its biblical truths as well as the traditions that Jewish family practice?

Discussing Truths:

1. How did Jesus fulfill "Bedikath Chametz" the searching for leaven (Exodus 12:19) when He cleared the Temple (His house) of the sinful corruption of money changers?
2. What did you learn about the "Zeroa" the shank bone of a lamb, as used in the Seder, and the biblical use of this important word?
3. Why do you think the Jewish tradition uses a 3 layered Matza pouch and they take the middle matza out and break it and wrap ? in linen and hide it?
4. Why do you think Jewish families use a Greek word, "Afikomen" which means "He came" to describe the hidden broken matza in the linen?
5. What purpose does the bitter herbs serve in developing spiritual sensitivity to sin?
6. How does the Seder and the Lord's Supper explain God's gracious plan of redemption?
7. God's judgment passes over the Israel family when He sees the blood (Exodus 12:13) just as His judgment passes over Christians when He see the blood of Jesus on our hearts, so how should we conduct our lives (1 Peter 1:17-21)?

Now What? Application:

1. What are you supposed to die to and live for as you remember Jesus (1 Peter 2:24, 25)?
2. Study the story of Passover and find how it points to Jesus as the promised Messiah.