What if the Apostle Peter was recreating the events of the Passover supper in today’s vernacular? What might he wish for today’s society to remember? Maybe it would sound like chapter 38 from the book, Yeshua..Redeemer…Savior…Friend. Enjoy
Chapter 38
Peter
Being an apostle of Yeshua was not easy. For example, I was happily married, and travel often took me away from family for long stretches of time. Despite some rocky moments early on, my wife and I resolved the issue. My wife’s support was critical to my walk with Yeshua. As the saying goes, “A happy wife, a happy life.”
As my wife witnessed Yeshua’s miraculous healings and heard his teachings, she developed her own faith. Having a loving partner that shared my thoughts, hopes, and dreams was a blessing. Her choosing to travel with us for Passover was one of those moments. I had shared with her my dread of the future. Yeshua’s talk of death overwhelmed my spirit. I knew she would be interceding for me as this year’s celebration occurred.
As Passover approached, my wife and I reflected on its meaning. For the past 1400 years, the Hebrew people celebrated their freedom from Egyptian slavery. The event was named Passover because Yahweh passed over the homes of the Hebrew slaves when the firstborn of the Egyptian people were killed. It was both a solemn reminder of Yahweh’s faithfulness and a celebration of our freedom. While it should have been a joyous time, I was filled with sorrow. I knew this was our last celebration with Yeshua. Yet I believed freedom from spiritual slavery would follow.
When I inquired about my wife attending the meal, Yeshua said. “No.” Tonight was just for him and us twelve. Reluctantly, my wife made plans to join other family members. I promised to remember all the details and share them with her.
For Hebrews, a new day began at sunset and ended at the next sunset. That meant time was seen a little differently from common conceptions. For example, the sixth hour was in the middle of the night and the twelfth hour around daybreak.
I awoke early in the morning on the day before Passover and joined others to break the fast. After a simple meal and devotional time, Yeshua asked John and I to “Go and prepare the Passover meal so that we can eat it together.”
When I asked where should we go? Yeshua replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The teacher asks, ‘Where is the guest room that I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.”
Just as Yeshua had said, it happened. After seeing the room, John and I went about our first duty–inspection of the room for any leaven or yeast. When the Israelites were redeemed from slavery in Egypt, they hastily left, and bread did not have time to rise from the addition of yeast. Inspection of the room for leaven served as a reminder of that sudden departure.
In the intervening hours before Passover officially arrived, John and I gathered the necessary items for the supper: unleavened bread, wine, and the bitter herbs. After taking them back to the room, John and I joined Yeshua and the others at the Temple.
The Temple area was a madhouse. It had not taken long for the Court of the Gentiles to be reassembled after Yeshua’s earlier wrecking. The profits from Passover were a major source of income for the Jewish council and its members. Nothing would stop the leaders from lining their pockets.
In the Court of Gentiles, it was business as usual. Some families brought their own lamb from home and were having it inspected for any blemishes. For many of these, their lamb was rejected. Irate tirades echoed beyond the courtyard, knowing a lamb still needed to be bought. Others were exchanging coin for the Jewish shekel, the only accepted payment.
We bypassed both and joined one of the lines to purchase our unblemished, perfect lamb. As the sun set on Nisan 13, and Nisan 14 began, our lamb was sacrificed and carried back home to be prepared.
The host family did not interfere with our Passover meal but did the necessary cooking and helped with serving. I was humbled to see the loving way our needs were met without infringing on our evening together. When the lamb was thoroughly cooked, the last supper began.
As we gathered and took our places, John, as expected, took the seat to the right of Yeshua, but I was surprised when Yeshua asked Judas of Iscariot to sit to his left. I was a little perturbed as I thought I deserved that special seat but reluctantly reclined across from John.
The Passover meal was always a solemn occasion, particularly tonight. Sorrow filled me when Yeshua stated, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
There was a stillness that encompassed that room as everyone realized Yeshua was serious! I had not forgotten his comments about death, but there had always been hope for a different outcome. I wanted to shout, “No, it can’t happen,” but the words refused to come out.
The ritual passed down for generations began. Yeshua took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves, for I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”
While I contemplated Yeshua’s words, the meal continued. We ate the bitter herbs, a reminder of our people’s suffering in slavery, had a second cup of wine, and waited for the serving of bread. Yeshua took the bread, gave thanks for it, and served it. He humbly stated, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
After supper, he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people, an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.”
Bewilderment filled me. Unanswered questions came to my mind. Why was the history of our enslavement and freedom not mentioned as in every other seder? Then I understood: this was the beginning of a new era. The old covenant was ending; a new one was taking its place. I could sense the barrier between us and Yahweh being lifted. As a husband lifted the veil of his wife at their wedding ceremony, we were celebrating a new relationship, a marriage, to Yahweh. I could not wait to share my revelation with my wife. A new freedom to serve Yahweh was ahead!
Two difficult moments followed. The first was Yeshua’s words, “But there at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me.” His words of torment tore our group apart and that led to the boasting by each of us of our own importance and our love for Yeshua.
Yeshua called for each of us to relax. Then he asked a servant to bring a large bowl containing clean water. Yeshua took off his outer cloak, wrapped a towel around his waist, and washed each of our feet. I tried to protest, but it did no good.
When done, Yeshua explained, “You call me your teacher and lord, and you should, because that is who I am. And if your lord and teacher washed your feet, you should do the same for each other. I have set an example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you.” In humility, I accepted his lesson. In the Kingdom of God, no one had the right to lord it over another.
After Judas left to accomplish his final task, Yeshua gave us important thoughts to burn into our memory. “I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It is not like the peace that the world can give. So do not worry or be afraid. You have already heard me say that I am going and that I will also come back to you. If you really love me, you should be glad that I am going back to the Father because he is greater than I am. I am telling you this before I leave so that when it does happen, you will have faith in me. I cannot speak with you much longer because the ruler of this world is coming, but he has no power over me.”
Then words of comfort for my spirit.” Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust Yahweh and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s house. If it were not so, would I not have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you so that you will always be with me wherever I am.”
Finally, Yeshua said what strengthened my will. “If you love me, obey my commandments and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit who leads you into all truth. I am the true grapevine, and my father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so that they will produce even more. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
As Yeshua’s words settled into my spirit, I would need time to review all Yeshua said. It was not until later that week before the full significance of our night together was clear.
My resolve to be Yeshua’s servant was tested in the next twenty-four hours. Later, only my wife could offer me comfort for my terrible decisions. My actions would dishonor my savior. Would it be possible to be forgiven?
Matthew 26:14-30 Mark 14:10-26 Luke 22:3-30 John 13:1-35 John 14:1-51:17
Tags: christianity, faith, if you love me obey my commandments, jesus, Passover, Passsover meal, This is my body given for you
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