A Passover Seder in the Light of Christ

THE PASSOVER MEAL

(This is where the actual dinner takes place.)

EATING THE AFIKOMAN (TZAPHUN) AND DRINKING THE THIRD CUP

(The children search for the afikoman. The leader redeems it by giving a coin to the one who finds it. The afikoman is broken into small pieces and distributed to each guest.)

At this point we eat the afikoman and drink the third cup, the “cup of redemption”. Let us remember the words of Jesus at the Last Supper: (Luke 22):

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

(The third cup is filled and raised.)

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu Melech Haoolom
Bohoray Pree Haogawofen.

ALL: Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe,
who creates the fruit of the vine.

(All drink the third cup.)

ELIJAH’S CUP

(Elijah’s cup is filled with wine. The youngest goes to the door and opens it.)

LEADER: There is one place setting that has not been touched. It is Jewish tradition to keep this place for the prophet Elijah. He was prophesied to appear before the Messiah came. (Malachi 4):

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse.”

Now the door is opened to see if Elijah will come to bring God’s promised savior to the people. Israel still waits for the Messiah. But we know that the Messiah has already come. Jesus is the Savior God promised, not only for Israel, but for the whole world. And we know that Elijah did come before Him, in the person of John the Baptist:

Luke 1:17

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth; And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Mark 9:

And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things; É But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

And in Matthew 11:

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Previous: Bitter Herbs       Next: Fourth Cup

(From The Hebrew Catholic, #73, Winter 2000-2001. All Rights Reserved.)

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