Jesus in the Passover Brings the Last Supper to Life in an Interactive and Transformative Experience
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-28 (NIV)
According to the Gospel of Matthew, during the Last Supper, Jesus sent two of His disciples to prepare for the meal and gathered with the rest in the upper room. After blessing the bread and wine, He gave them to His disciples to eat and drink, explaining that the bread represented His body and the wine, His blood of the New Covenant. During the meal, He told them that one of them would betray Him.
We can only imagine the deep emotions Jesus must have felt during that final evening with His closest friends—the weight of knowing His divine purpose and the approaching sacrifice, yet facing the heartbreak of leaving His earthly life behind.
And imagine the confusion and uncertainty the disciples must have experienced. They struggled to understand the gravity of what Jesus was trying to explain, not realizing that this would be their last meal together before His crucifixion. It was likely not until after Christ’s resurrection on the third day that their understanding of everything He told them began to manifest in their hearts and minds.
The Last Supper is considered a Passover Seder because it is believed that the meal Jesus shared with His disciples was, in fact, a Passover meal. During this meal, Jesus introduced the practice of Communion, symbolizing His body and blood. This connection between the Jewish tradition of Passover and the teachings of Jesus highlights His profound redemptive purpose for humanity. The Passover, which commemorates the Israelites’ freedom from slavery in Egypt, foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, offering freedom from sin and eternal life to all who believe in Him.
What Is a Passover Seder?
A Passover Seder is a sacred meal and ritual for Jewish people that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover, commemorating the Exodus story, one of the most important narratives in the Bible, telling how the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt and began their journey to the Promised Land. This structured evening involves reading the Haggadah, a text that recounts the Exodus story, accompanied by prayers, songs, and symbolic foods.
Each element in the Seder holds profound symbolic meaning, reminding participants of the suffering of slavery and the joy of liberation.
Key food elements of the Seder include:
- Matzah - unleavened bread
- Maror - bitter herbs
- Charoset - sweet mixture of fruit, nuts, and wine
- Z'roa - lamb shank bone
- Chazeret - optional second bitter herb
- Red wine or grape juice
What to expect:
Gather your elements and join Matt and Laurie Crouch, along with Rabbi Jason Sobel, for an immersive Passover Seder experience on April 17 at 8p & 10p ET. Rabbi Sobel expertly leads viewers through each step and element of the meal, revealing how they point to Jesus the Messiah and confirm biblical prophecy.
Who Is Rabbi Jason Sobel?
Rabbi Jason was raised in a devout Jewish family in New Jersey with a constant contrast between the faith practices in his home and the secular influences around him. His life changed forever at the age of sixteen, when he had what he calls an encounter with Yeshua, the Hebrew name for Jesus.
Today, Rabbi Jason’s passion and calling lie in uncovering the profound connections between the Old and New Testaments. He believes that understanding these links leads to spiritual growth and transformation, preparing believers for revival. Central to his teachings is a focus on the wooden cross, where Jesus accomplished the ultimate redemption for humanity by dying for our sins.
When to watch:
To view this program on TBN, please join us on April 17 at 8p & 10p ET and visit TBN.org/Passover to view the elements you can have prepared to participate in this authentic Passover Seder experience.
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