The Lord’sTable

Lesson 2: Passover and Last Supper

December 5, 2012University Church of Christ

Abilene, TX

Review‣ Worship in the Old Testament was

built around a structure of “holy meals”

‣ These meals were a time of community rejoicing in the presence of the Lord

‣ The Lord’s Supper is related to the table of the sacrifice, not the altar

‣ The Supper is a time of covenant affirmation

Passover

• Exodus 12:2-14

• Leviticus 23:4-8

• Deuteronomy 16:1-8

1st Century Passover

• Afternoon: Slaughter of the lamb

• Evening: Passover Meal

1. Preliminary course

2. Liturgy

3. Main Meal

4. Conclusion

• Night: Watching and remembranceSource: Come To The Table, John Mark Hicks

Passover mealPreliminary course:

• First cup of wine

• Dish of green herbs, bitter herbs and fruit sauce

• Meal served, second cup of wine prepared

Source: Come To The Table, John Mark Hicks

Passover mealPassover liturgy:

• Haggadah: Passover narrative and interpretation

• Singing of Psalm 113

• Second cup of wine

Source: Come To The Table, John Mark Hicks

Passover mealMain meal:

• Thanks given over bread

• Roasted lamb, unleavened bread, bitter herbs

• Grace spoken over third cup of wine (cup of blessing)

Source: Come To The Table, John Mark Hicks

Passover mealConclusion:

• Singing of Psalms 114-118

• Grace spoken over fourth cup of wine (cup of blessing)

Source: Come To The Table, John Mark Hicks

1st Century Passover Last Supper (Luke)

Retelling/application of Passover story

Luke 22:15-16

First/Second Cup of Wine Luke 22:17

Breaking of the Bread Luke 22:19

Passover Meal Luke 22:20

Third/Fourth Cup of Wine Luke 22:20

Singing (Matthew 26:30)

Prayer Luke 22:40

1st Century Focus

• Celebration

• Thanksgiving

• God’s deliverance of Israel from bondage

• Community with Israel and its history

• Expectation of the Messiah and God’s kingdom

Four accounts

‣ Matthew 26:20-29

‣ Mark 14:17-25

‣ Luke 22:14-23

‣ 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Words of institution

‣ The bread: “This is my body which is given for you”

‣ The cup: “This is my blood of the new covenant” or “This is the new covenant in my blood”

‣ The command: “Do this in remembrance of me”

Four views:

‣ Transubstantiation (Catholic)

‣ Consubstantiation (Luther)

‣ Symbolic (Zwingli)

‣ Spiritual reality (Calvin)

A broader view:‣ Get focus off of elements alone‣ Jesus is present as host and fellow-

participant‣ The Lord’s Supper is not the altar;

it is the table‣ Body refers to His living body, as

well as the cross‣ Blood is remembered because of

the covenant it ratified, as well as sign of death