Christian Passover Seder Guide

A Christian’s Guide To A Passover Seder

This lesson is intended for Christians who wish to remember the Passover but are not celebrating with a traditional Passover meal. Instead, Passover is remembered by taking the elements of communion (the bread and the wine), by reciting prayers and by reading about the traditional Passover activities which relate to Jesus, our Passover lamb.

A Summary of Passover

Most Christians are familiar with the first Passover, which took place in Egypt when God delivered the children of Israel from their bondage. But to summarize, in Exodus 12:2-6 God told each Jewish family to kill a one-year-old, perfect lamb before sundown on the 14th day of the first month of the year. The blood of the lamb was then spread on the door post of the home. Meanwhile, the family inside the house, that was ‘covered by the blood’, ate the lamb and prepared to leave Egypt. They did not have time for their bread to rise, so they ate unleavened bread, called matzah. This ‘bread’ was more like a flat cracker because it did rise. Later that night, the Jewish first-born male was not killed, because the death angel ‘passed over’ the house.

For over 3,000 years, Passover has been celebrated with specific foods and wine, prayers and other customs. This lesson is designed to help Christians understand how the Passover meal might be conducted by Jewish people today and how our Messiah, Jesus Christ, can be seen throughout the entire meal. If you wish to learn more about the Jewish Passover meal, called a Seder, a document called a Haggadah, can be found online with detailed instructions for a Passover Seder. There are various styles and traditions for the Passover Seder, so one Haggadah may have a  slightly different order from another Haggadah. Just search for ‘Haggadah’ or Messianic ministries (such as One For Israel) to see if they offer a free Haggadah on their website.

If you would like to plan a Passover Seder, this lesson will guide you through the steps and prayers which take place during a modern Passover Seder. Also included is information to show how Jesus observed His last Passover, which was the Last Supper. As a Christian, you are not required to eat and drink all these elements, but you might want to have unleavened bread and wine or juice, to eat and drink at the appropriate time. You may want to speak the prayers and read the Notes out loud, as a way to remember the Passover tradition.

 

Searching for the ‘yeast’, cleansing the house

One or two weeks before the Passover meal takes place, Jewish women clean their homes and remove all yeast (leaven). They also remove all breads or foods made with yeast. This includes sourdough starter, which makes bread rise. In scripture, yeast represents sin (which ‘puffs up’), so sin must be removed from the home and the family. Egypt represents the ’evil world’ which is opposed to God.

Note: During the time of Jesus, the lamb would be selected several days before Passover and inspected for any blemishes. The Passover lamb had to be perfect. Jesus was selected on Palm Sunday, a few days before Passover and then He cleansed the Temple, His father’s house, of impurities, just as the house is cleansed of yeast.

Jewish Prayer: Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with your Commandments and instructed us concerning the removal of leaven. 

Christian Reference: I Cor 5:7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

The Four Cups

In the Passover Seder celebration, there are four cups of wine or juice which represent the promises that God made to the children of Israel. In Exodus 6:6-7, there are four places were God said ‘I will’ to the children of Israel. These four cups represent the four promises from God. The cups are called:

  • Cup of Sanctification
  • Cup of Deliverance or Judgement (the plagues)
  • Cup of Redemption
  • Cup of Acceptance and Praise

“Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians (sanctification), and I will deliver you from slavery to them (deliverance) and I will redeem you (redemption) with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people (acceptance) and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God (praise)”. (Exodus 6:6-7)

The Passover Seder Symbolic Elements

The symbolic foods for the Passover Seder represent the life of bondage that the Jewish people suffered in Egypt, as well as their redemption. Those elements and what they represent are listed below:

  • Parsley or Potatoes – Represents the origin of the people of Israel which grew into a mighty nation while in Egypt (from 70 people to over 3 to 5 million).
  • Salt water – Represents the tears of slavery.
  • Dip of bitter herbs, such as horseradish – Represents the bitter life of slavery.
  • Roasted Egg – Represents the potential life of the Jewish people.
  • Charoset (a sweet apple mixture) – Represents the mortar and also the redemption of the slaves.
  • Lettuce or Radish – Represents the bitter life of slavery.
  • Lamb Shank – Represents the original sacrificial lamb whose blood saved the family from the death angel. Jesus became our Passover lamb.
  • Matzah (unleavened bread) – Represents the bread of affliction, it has no leaven, because leaven represents sin.
  • Three pieces of Matzah and a white cloth: Represents the Trinity and the middle piece is Jesus, our Messiah.

As you learn about this ancient tradition, I pray that you will experience spiritual freedom and redemption, as well as healing for your body.

The Passover Seder Meal

At sundown on the 14th of the month of Nisan (the first month of the year), the Passover Seder meal will be celebrated. The word ‘seder’ means ‘order’. The activities are ordered around the four cups. Shown below is the order in which the Passover activities take place. You may ask one person to be the leader and read the Notes out loud, while other people read the prayers. Instructions for actions are in parenthesis (action). The sections about the traditional Jewish activities are in italics and are also a smaller font. You may want the leader to read those parts.

Leader Notes for lighting the candles: It is a Jewish tradition for the woman of the house to light two candles which are on the table, in honor of the holiness of this day; she will then say a prayer.

(The candles are lit first and then the prayers are spoken.)

Jewish Prayer: Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us that we kindle the Holiday lights.

Messianic Prayer: Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, You have sanctified us by your Word and given us Yeshua, Jesus our Messiah and commanded us to be a light to the world.

Christian Reference: As a woman begins the Seder meal by bringing light to the table, we should remember that God used a woman (Mary) to bring forth our Messiah, the Light of the World.

The First Cup

Leader Notes for the 1st Cup: The first cup is the Cup of Sanctification. In Exodus 6:6, God said “I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.” To be sanctified means to be set apart, to live differently than those who do not know God. The Jewish people were chosen by God, and set apart from the other nations, to be used for God’s purpose. Gentile believers have been grafted into God’s family and we should live our lives for the glory of God and for His purposes. We are in the world, but not of the world, so a believer should not act like nor talk like the worldly people. The Holy Spirit is also the new wine which has been given to believers to aid in sanctification.

(Everyone should fill their glass with wine or juice.)

Jewish Prayer: Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.

Messianic Prayer: Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe. You have given us the Holy Spirit, so that we may live holy lives, consecrated to You.

Christian Reference: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Everyone drinks the first cup after the prayer.)

Eating the Parsley dipped in salt water:

The leader of the Passover will explain that the parsley symbolizes the humble beginnings of the Jewish people. The salt water symbolizes the tears shed during slavery. After a blessing is said, the parsley (or some other vegetable, such as a potato) is dipped in salt water and eaten.

Eating the roasted egg:

The leader of the Passover will remind the people what the egg represents When the Jews left Egypt, they were like a fresh laid egg, free from slavery (the bondage of the hen), but not yet a nation. They were still contained within the shell. After they received the Torah (the Ten Commandments) at Mount Sinai, the children of Israel then became a nation with a revelation of God and his purpose for them. They broke out of the shell and became a new living entity. Passover was the beginning to Israel’s national existence. Everyone should now eat the egg.

Breaking the middle matzah:

The leader of the Passover the take three pieces of matzah which have been set aside on a special plate. He should remove the middle matzah and break it in half. One half is returned to the middle of the remaining matzah pieces. The other half is called the Afikomen and is placed in a white napkin to be completely covered and set aside. It will be hidden for the children to find later.

Leader Notes for eating the bread:

The unleavened matzah bread has unique characteristics. The bread has stripes where it was cooked and there are holes where the bread was pierced. The matzah is also called the bread of our affliction. After the Last Supper, the body of Jesus had stripes where he was beaten and his body was pierced by the nails and the sword.

Jewish Prayer: Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

Messianic Prayer: Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, for you have given your Son, Jesus, as the bread of life.

Christian Reference: Luke 22:19 Then He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

(Everyone eats some of the matzah after the prayers are said.)

The Afikomen will be hidden in the house for the children to find after the meal. Once the Afikomen is found, it will become the dessert. It is interesting to note that this custom is NOT in the Old Testament, but seemed to originate after the crucifixion of Jesus. The Jewish people say the three pieces of matzah represent Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But Christians readily see that the three pieces of matzah represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And the middle piece, the Son, is Jesus Christ who was wrapped in white linen and ‘hidden’ in the grave.

Eating the bitter herbs:

The leader of the Passover will explain that the participates will take a piece of matzah and dip it into the bitter herbs and eat it. While the people are eating the bitter herbs, the leader will explain that it represents the bitter life the Israelites had in Egyptian bondage.

Leader Notes about the bitter herbs:

At the Last Supper, when Jesus participated in this tradition of dipping his bread, the matzah, in the bitter dip, he identified Judas as the one who would betray him. It was a bitter event to be betrayed by one of His disciples. “Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.” (John 13:26)

Eating the lettuce and sweet charoset:

The leader of the Passover will explain that the sweet charoset mixture represents the mortar that was used for building. A piece of lettuce, which can be bitter, should be dipped in the sweet mixture. Even bitter circumstances are sweeter when you have hope in God. The lettuce is dipped in the charoset not to eliminate the harshness and bitterness of life, but the bring sweetness into the bitterness.

Telling the story of Passover:

In a traditional Jewish Passover Seder, the story of the Passover will be told. Usually, children will ask questions about why this night is different from all other nights. The answer includes the story of how the children of Israel became slaves in Egypt and how God sent Moses to deliver them. But, Pharoah would not let the children of Israel leave, so God sent ten terrible plagues to Egypt. The story includes the killing of the innocent lamb and how its blood was painted on the top and both sides of the door. When the angel of death came, the angel passed over all of the homes which had the blood. It is a tradition to sing a song called “Dayenu”, which means ‘sufficient for us’. This song gives thanks to God for every miracle of the Exodus and brings up the question: What has God done that is ‘sufficient’ for our praise?

Leader Notes about the lamb shank:

The lamb shank represents the innocent and perfect Passover lamb which was slain for the Passover meal. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, John saw Jesus approaching and he said “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) The death of Jesus was prophesied in Isaiah 53:7 where it is written; “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter.” During the time of Jesus, for the Jewish families celebrating Passover, the lamb was killed around 3 PM, without breaking any of its bones, on the afternoon before the Passover meal was eaten later that evening. Historically, after the High Priest cut the throat of the lamb, he would announce, “It is finished.” Jesus was crucified around noon and none of his bones were broken and He died around 3 PM, just like the Passover lamb. “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)

Note: According to the Essene calendar, Passover always begins at sundown on a Tuesday. Jesus celebrated the Passover meal on a Tuesday evening and He was crucified the following day (Wednesday) which was the Essene Passover. However, since the Pharisee calendar was slightly different than the Essene calendar, Wednesday was the day (on the Pharisee calendar) when the Passover lamb was killed. So, Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, while the High Priest killed the lamb for the Pharisee Passover, which started later that evening. This explains why the Gospel of Matthew states that Jesus died on the Day of Preparation. In the Jewish tradition, the Day of Preparation was the day before a holy feast day, such as Passover, began. On the Pharisee calendar, Passover occurs on different days of the week. When Passover is celebrated, the Day of Preparation is the day the lamb is slaughtered and then at sundown, the Passover feast begins on the Pharisee calendar. This explains how Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Passover feast a day before the Pharisees celebrated their Passover; there were two different calendars in use. Jesus followed the Essene calendar while the Pharisee followed their traditional calendar. For more information on these two calendars, read my lessons on the Essenes on the Journey page.

Praise to God:

In a traditional Jewish Seder, Psalm 113 is now recited as praise to God.

The Second Cup

Cup 2 Leader Notes: The second cup is the Cup of Judgement (Plagues) or Deliverance. In Exodus 6:6, God said “I will redeem you with great judgements.” God judged Pharaoh with ten plagues (blood, frogs, lice, beasts, cattle disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness and the death of the firstborn son). But, God also delivered His people. The Jewish people believe that what God has done on their behalf is sufficient for them to praise him.

(Everyone drinks the second cup after the prayers are said.)

Jewish Prayer: Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.

Messianic Prayer: Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe because you have delivered us out of this sinful world, that we might have new life in your son, Jesus.

Christian Reference: “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age.” (Galatians 1:3,4)

The Passover dinner is now eaten by everyone:

This is a true meal, not just the symbolic elements of Passover. After the meal, the children will search for the Afikomen, which will be served as dessert.

Leader Notes about the ceremonial Hand Washing:

At this time in the Seder, it is a tradition for each person to wash their hands. Scholars believe it was at this time that Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:3-5)

The Third Cup

Cup 3 Leader Notes: The third cup is the Cup of Redemption, which is after the meal. In Exodus 6:6, God said, “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.” Jewish people celebrate this cup as the cup of freedom and deliverance that comes from God. During the Last Supper, it was after the meal, that Jesus spoke before they drank of this third cup. Jesus explained that this cup, the Cup of Redemption, was the new covenant in His blood. Jesus also lifted up the matzah bread and explained that this bread was His body, given for us. The matzah cracker is symbolic of the body of Jesus. The scriptures state that when the children of Israel left Egypt at Passover, there were none with afflictions. This means they were all HEALED during the Passover celebration, perhaps while they were eating the matzah, which is symbolic of the stripes on the back of Jesus. Those stripes were for our healing today! Let us believe for the healing of our bodies as we take the matzah bread.

(Everyone eats the matzah bread.)

Jewish Prayer: Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Messianic Prayer: Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, because you sent your son Jesus, to take a beating on His back for the healing of our body and to shed His blood for the redemption of our soul.

Christian Reference: In Luke 22:20, “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” And in Matt 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’” In Mark 14:22, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’” In Isaiah 53:5, “…By His stripes we are healed.”

(Everyone drinks the third cup after the prayers are said.)

Leader Notes about the cup for Elijah:

During the Passover Seder, it is a Jewish tradition to reserve a place at the table for Elijah. The Jews believe that Elijah will return to earth just before the coming of the Messiah, and that he will come during Passover. When the fourth cup is poured, an extra cup of wine is poured for Elijah. Then, a child is sent to open the door of the home to welcome Elijah. Since Elijah is not there, the door is then closed. As Christians, we know that John the Baptist came in the ‘spirit of Elijah’. In Luke 1:16, the angel of the LORD told Zacharia that his son, John, would “go before Him (referring to Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elijah.” Later, John the Baptist preached a message which said, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16)

The Fourth Cup

Cup 4 Leader Notes: The fourth cup is the Cup of Acceptance and Praise. In Exodus 6:7, God said, “I will take you to be my people and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God.” From creation, God’s desire has been to have a people who honor, love and worship Him as their One true God. During the Last Supper, when it was time to drink this cup, Jesus said he would not drink again, of the fruit of the vine, until he drank it in the Kingdom of God. This shows what His mission was not yet complete; He still had to walk the path to Calvary and give His life for all mankind. After His death, we can now become children of God, if we believe in Jesus. Peter, while preaching to the Gentiles in Acts 10:35 states, “…In every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”

Jewish Prayer: Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Messianic Prayer: Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, who accepts us into your family through our faith in your son, Yeshua, Jesus Christ.

Christian Reference: “’Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” (Mark 14:25-26) “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (I John 3:1)

(Everyone drinks the fourth cup after the prayers are said.)

Leader Notes about the conclusion of the Seder:

After the fourth cup, which Jesus did not drink, scripture states that they went out to the Mount of Olives. According to rabbinic tradition, the Seder concludes with Psalm 118. So, it is most likely that Jesus and His disciples sang this Psalm as they walked to the Mount of Olives. This Psalm includes the scriptures which state, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.” and also “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good and his mercy endures forever.” At the very end of the Seder, it is tradition to say, “Next year in Jerusalem! Next year, may we all dwell in peace!”

Our vision should be the same as the disciples when they observed the Last Supper with Jesus; praising God and giving thanks for His great love because we have been accepted into His family. And we are looking and praying for the day Jesus returns. Until then, we share with others the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace!

Leader Notes about the folded cloth:

One final note about a Jewish tradition during the time of Jesus. When a meal was served, after the master was finished eating and was leaving the table, he would wipe his fingers and mouth with a clean cloth, and then wad up the cloth and toss it onto the table. The wadded cloth meant, “I’m done.” But, if the master needed to leave the table for some reason and he was not yet finished, he would fold his cloth and place it beside his plate. The folded cloth meant, “I’m coming back, I am not finished”. After Jesus was resurrected from the dead, Peter ran to the tomb to verify the empty grave. In John 20:6-7, it says, “Then Simon Peter came…and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.” The folded cloth meant that Jesus was not finished; he is coming back!

To watch a video which explains a Passover Seder from a Messianic perspective, click here.