The Passover Potluck
Returning meaning to the communion service.
Jeanne Doering
January 1, 1981
When a jeweler displays a fine diamond, he often puts it on black velvet. There, it catches fire from the lights of the room, its beauty is multiplied, and its value becomes more apparent.
The Lord's Supper is like that diamond. Sometimes it needs to be pried from traditional settings and thrown against the black velvet of the blackest night in history: the night it was instituted-the night before Christ was crucified.
Although the dinner commemorates the Passover-the release of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage-it is a teaching service and need not be limited to the Passover/Easter season. The early church had its "love feasts" regularly. Acts 2:42 (NASB) says the early Christians were "continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers. "
The Young Couples Sunday school class of Evergreen Bible Church, Vancouver, Washington, involved their congregation in a Passover supper during an evening service. As the dinner progressed, the pastor explained the supper's symbolism, and why Christ could declare he was the Passover Lamb.
The group tried to duplicate as closely as possible the Passover observance of the first century, and thus excluded several rituals that Jewish tradition has added. The pastor also shared relevant Scripture and the historical significance of this rite as background .
...
First cup, with blessing This was called "Cup of the Kiddush," meaning "sanctification" or "separation," and it separated this meal from common meals The host of the table would pray over the cup, then all would drink. Four cups were eventually taken during the meal, one for each of the four promises of Exodus 6:6-7:
...
I will deliver you from their bondage.
I will redeem ...
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