The Last Supper and the Passover Feast

Each year, Christians throughout the world celebrate Holy Week, the most significant period in the Christian calendar. Holy Week commemorates the last week of the life of Jesus Christ, his crucifixion and his resurrection from the tomb.

During this same time each year, Jews around the world celebrate Passover, the most significant festival in the Jewish calendar. The Jewish holiday of Passover commemorates the redemption of the ancient Israelites from bondage in Egypt after being slaves for 300 years.

The Bible records the Lord’s command to celebrate the first Passover: "And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb...without blemish, a male of the first year…and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it....For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." (see Exodus 12:1-13)

For 3,500 years Jews have celebrated Passover, and have used the symbolism of the meal to remember the captivity and redemption of their fathers, and to look forward to the Messianic age and their own final redemption.

The Betrayal by Marilyn Todd-Daniels

Jesus, himself a Jew, likewise used the symbolism of the Passover meal to teach His disciples about His mission, as He prepared them to understand the spiritual redemption that would come from his suffering and death. Just as the blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts of the homes of faithful Israelites had saved them from the power of the destroying angel, so the blood of the lamb of God, shed for all on Calvary’s cross, would save all who would come unto Christ from the power of sin and death.

Though it is difficult to know exactly how the Last Supper took place, the gospel writers refer to several Passover symbols during the meal and discourse that followed. Understanding this sacred holiday in its Jewish context will help us appreciate the Last Supper and the Savior's redemption on this Passover night.

Tradition tells us that the day was Thursday, the first day of the Passover feast. As the evening approached, Jesus and His disciples gathered in a large upper room on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. His disciples had made preparations beforehand and the table was set with all of the necessary elements for the Passover.

According to Jewish tradition, a roasted lamb would be served as the main dish, in remembrance of the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of the homes, which protected their ancestors from the destroying angel. Alongside it, bitter herbs, representing the bitterness of slavery, and a mixture of chopped apples and nuts, called haroset, representing the mortar used by slaves to build the wonders of Egypt. Salt water was used to recall the salty tears shed by the Israelites in slavery. Into the salt water they dipped greens, such as parsley, representing springtime, the season of Passover, the season of hope.

Passover symbols: haroset, salt water, parsley, wine, and bitter herbs

Central to the Passover feast was the unleavened bread, or matza, which reminded the disciples of the haste with which Israel left Egypt--their ancestors not having even enough time to allow their bread to rise. This was the bread which Christ blessed and broke and gave to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you, this do in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24).

“After the same manner also he took the cup...saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do...in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:25). In instituting this sacramental emblem, Jesus used one of the four cups of wine which was consumed during each Passover meal, each cup representing a unique aspect of God’s promise to redeem Israel.

During the meal, the question was asked by the youngest member: “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Whereupon, the story of the redemption of Israel from captivity was told. Passover is different from all other nights, but this Passover night was truly different, for on this night, Christ would redeem all His children from the slavery of sin, and the bondage of death.

After completing this symbolic meal “And when they had sung a hymn, [Jesus and his disciples] went out into the mount of Olives” into a garden called Gethsemane (Matthew 26:30). Jesus’ atoning journey had begun. The true Passover Lamb had come.

The text of this script comes from a  youtube video I produced back in 2011 with the help of Amy Grigg. With over 8,000 views I decided to update the video to HD and widescreen.

Events of Holy Week: Palm Sunday

For anyone who has studied in-depth the last week of the Savior's mortal ministry, you know there are some, well, inconsistencies. Did Jesus really cleanse the Temple on Sunday (as Matthew and Luke describe), or did it happen on Monday (as Mark's gospel records)? Were there two women who anointed the feet/head of Jesus (one on the Saturday before Palm Sunday as John records, and one on Wednesday), or was it just one woman? Was Jesus actually crucified at 9:00 AM or at noon of Good Friday? Or perhaps the most perplexing of all, was the Last Supper an actual Passover feast, or did Jesus celebrate the feast a day early?

The simple answer, no one really knows. Scholars disagree on how to resolve the inconsistencies, however, when you study Holy Week as four separate stories, a beautiful tapestry of depth and meaning arises. In searching for timelines of Holy Week, I never found one that really addressed all of these intricate issues. So, I decided to make my own. Hopefully, this timeline of the events of Holy Week will help you appreciate the beauty of this most significant week in history. Hopefully, it will help you understand that the Gospel writers most likely were more interested in preserving the profound symbolism of Holy Week, and not so much an hour-by-hour chronology of events.

Over the next week, in an attempt to show the hidden meaning of the events of Holy Week, I will share several of the most precious gems I have discovered over the years. To begin, I will start with Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday

Each of the four Gospels records the events of the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. According to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), the event took place on the 10th day of the month of Abib, the same day when all Jews were choosing their Passover lambs. According to the Law of Moses, the Israelites were to select their lambs on the 10th day of the month, five days before Passover (see Exodus 12:3). Once selected, the lamb was then taken into the homes of the families of Israel where it lived for the next five days (see Exodus 12:3-6). On the fourteenth day of the month, the family was then to take the lamb to the temple, kill it without breaking any bones, and then take the carcass back to the home for the Passover feast. During the first Passover, when Israel was still in Egypt, the blood of the lamb was then dabbed on the doorposts, protecting their home from the destroying angel. This made for a poignant lesson for the children, who after living with the lamb and becoming fond of it, would see it killed and eaten, so that they could be saved.

The significance of the timing is that on the very same day that all Jews were choosing their Passover lambs, Jesus (the true Lamb of God) rides into Jerusalem and is chosen by the people as their Messiah (Matthew 21:1-11). It is also significant that during the same time period that the Passover lambs were being taken into the Jewish homes for the next five days, Jesus is found teaching in his Father's house, the Temple of God (Luke 19:47). According to John, five days later, at the same time when thousands of Passover lambs were being sacrificed, the true Passover lamb, Jesus Christ, died on the cross. Truly, it was the blood of the Lamb of God, that was shed on the cross, that protects us from the destroying angel of death and sin. It is because of Him, that we can live.

The Anointing of Jesus by Mary and the Unnamed Woman

In the events of Holy Week, there are two different recorded occasions when a woman anoints either the feet or head of Jesus. Many scholars combine both events because of their similarities; however, by studying them as two separate events, we are able to learn of some powerful symbolism in the possible timing of these events. [1]

The first anointing, as recorded by John (John 12:1-8), took place on Saturday, six days before the Passover, in an unnamed home in Bethany by Mary, the sister to Martha and Lazarus wherein she anointed only the feet of Jesus. The second anointing, as recorded by Matthew and Mark (Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9), took place on Wednesday of Holy Week, two days before Passover, in the home of Simon the leper in Bethany by an unnamed woman who anointed only the head of Jesus. Both women used ointments valuing 300 or more pence, and both women were criticized by a disciple for their acts of service towards Jesus.

Chart comparing the two anointings (adapted from Brown, page 450)

To understand the significance of these anointings, we first must understand that the word Messiah in Hebrew, and Christ in Greek both mean ‘the anointed one.’ In other words, Jesus Christ would actually mean Jesus the anointed. [2] In the Old Testament, there were three groups of people referred to as being anointed, that of prophets, priests, and kings.

By following the chronology of John and placing the anointing on Saturday, it may be that John was trying to foreshadow how Jesus, being anointed the day before the triumphal entry, was symbolically being anointed as the king of Israel. [3] Remember that one of the reasons it was so significant that Jesus rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey was because when Solomon was recognized as the king of Israel, he likewise rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (see 1 Kings 1:32-34). [4]

If we follow the chronology of Mark and Matthew and place the anointing by the unnamed woman on Wednesday, the day before his Last Supper, it may be that Mark and Matthew were trying to show that Jesus was being anointed as the great High Priest, who would intercede on our behalf as he entered the garden of Gethsemane. [5] The high priest wore a breastplate with 12 stones, and two shoulder stones engraven with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel representing that Israel was always to be near his heart, and that he was to carry the burdens of Israel upon his shoulders at all times (see Exodus 28:29 and 28:12). What a perfect description of Christ while in Gethsemane when he took our sins and sorrows upon himself.

It is also interesting to compare the anointings by the two women and the washing of the feet of the disciples by Jesus during the Last Supper (see John 13:1-17). All three took place during a dinner. All three events are criticized; in the Gospel of John Judas criticizes Mary, in Matthew and Mark an unnamed disciple criticizes the woman, and in John during the Last Supper, Peter criticizes Jesus for washing the feet. I can’t help but wonder that if while Peter’s feet were washed, he thought back five days before of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus. Perhaps he protested, in part, because he did not feel worthy to have a similar honor bestowed upon him.

Was there only one woman that anointed Jesus during Holy Week? We simply cannot tell from recorded scripture. [6] What we do know is that Mary, and perhaps this unnamed woman, will always be remembered for the incredible service they gave to their Lord and Master. A service, that perhaps, pointed to the Savior’s most often used title, that of Christ, the anointed one.

[1] See Eric Huntsman, God So Loved the World, page 133
[2] See Mashiach (Hebrew) and Christos (Greek) in Strong's Concordance
[3] Huntsman, page 133
[4] See Why would a king ride a donkey instead of a warhorse?
[5] Huntsman, page 133
[6] For an argument for only one woman anointing Jesus during Holy Week see Raymond E. Brown The Gospel According to John page 449-452

Triclinium Passover Feast 2016

This year we celebrated Passover (a month early) the Saturday before Palm Sunday to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. As part of our Passover Sedar we sit on the floor around triclinium tables (the most likely setting for the Last Supper), eat with our hands, eat lamb as part of the feast, and enjoy typical dishes from the time of Christ. This year we had a great turn out and it seemed like everyone had a great time! Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Our Haggadah with the unleavened bread and a basket of food

Holding up the bread during the blessing

Even the youngest member wanted to help with the blessing on the bread

A servant helps with the washing of the hands

Guests enjoying the Passover feast

We always have a "normal" table for those who don't want to sit on the floor

Guests enjoying the meal

Triclinium Passover Feast (Biblical Dinner) 2014

Fish-eye view of our Triclinium Passover (one triclinium table and two round tables not shown)

Below are a few pictures from my second Triclinium Passover dinner this year. This was by far the largest I have hosted, having around 150 people in attendance. It was actually the first where most of my family was able to attend (which was fun). A special thanks to a good friend of mine who took the photos (he has a great blog with some amazing photos about what it would be like to live in a world with zero gravity). Hope you enjoy!

Giving instructions to everyone on how to fill the food baskets

Giving the final touch to the food baskets

Endless baskets of food

Various meat dishes (lamb, chicken and beef) for the Passover dinner

Various dishes, including entire fish, lentils and hummus

Cheese and hummus bowls and a biblical dip

Instructing the 'servants' on how to serve the guests

Triclinium table and an oil lamp

Servants placing the food baskets out on the tables

Food on the tables

Various pictures of the 'four cups' of wine

A servant pouring water for a guest

Guests enjoying the Passover biblical dinner

A servant washing the hands of the guests

Various biblical artifacts out for display

Triclinium Passover Feast (Biblical Dinner) 2014

Though it is impossible to know for sure how the Last Supper took place, it seems that likely the setting was at a Triclinium table. Each year I host a dinner to help guests better understand the Last Supper, with the hope that they can better appreciate this most significant event. Below are some pictures for a Triclinium Passover dinner I held last month.

Setup of the triclinium tables

Preparing all of the food baskets for the tables

Various types of biblical food

Unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and food baskets

Guests reading from the Passover Haggadah

Servants assisting with the washing of hands

Servants serving guests the Passover dinner

Guests enjoying the Passover dinner

Triclinium Passover 2013

This year I held another Triclinium Passover Feast. I tried a few new things that I did not do last year. First, I changed the lighting by turning off the overhead lights and added spot lights around the room. This allowed the participants to still be able to read, but also created a more subdued environment. Next, I had all guests remove their shoes upon entering the room. Lastly, I served lamb as the main course, including serving lamb as part of the Hillel sandwich (the lamb actually sweetens and overpowers the bitter herbs). This is a powerful lesson in that just as the lamb takes away the bitterness, so Christ (the Lamb of God) takes away the bitterness of sin and death and sweetens our lives.

Triclinium table prior to adding the appetizers

Triclinium table set with appetizers

Everyone ready to start the feast

A 'servant' washing the hands of the guests

A 'servant' serving lamb

Guests reading the Hagaddah during the feast

Guests reclining at the triclinium tables

Had I Been There

The script I wrote for our Church Easter Program last year.

Today, with millions of Christians around the world, we commemorate the most significant single day in the history of the universe. As we read from the four Gospels, and from the words of modern-day apostles and prophets, let us ponder the valuable and penetrating question of how we would have responded had we been there in Jerusalem during the Last, Holy Week of the Savior’s mortal life.

As Raymond Brown, a renowned Catholic scholar wrote: “[Would I have welcomed Jesus with palm branches, and shouts of acclimation?] Is it not more likely that I might have been among the disciples who fled from danger, abandoning him? Or at moments in my life have I not played the role of Peter, denying Jesus, or even of Judas, betraying him? Have I not found myself like ... Pilate, trying to avoid a decision between good and evil, [or washing] my hands so that the record could show that I was blameless? Or, most of all, might I not have stood among the religious leaders who condemned Jesus?” (A Crucified Christ, by Raymond Brown, pg. 11-12)

At this time, let us also ponder the perfect and selfless example of the Savior. During His most agonizing, and trying trials, He turned towards others and served them. When He needed comfort, He comforted others. When He needed strength, He bore our burdens to strengthen us. May we ever more, allow the Savior into our lives by becoming more faithful disciples of the Lord, and by following His perfect example.
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On the Thursday of that Holy Week, the Savior held a special Last Supper with His apostles. During this meal He instituted the holy sacrament, washed the dusty feet of His disciples, and taught them and comforted them. Some of the greatest teachings of all scripture are contained in this evening discourse that Jesus gave; a discourse that was meant to comfort and encourage His apostles on this night when all would seem lost.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) “In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
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After the Last Supper, Jesus took his disciples to the Mount of Olives. “And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.” (Mark 14:32-42)
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After the excruciating suffering of Gethsemane, Jesus was arrested and taken before both the Jewish and Roman authorities to be judged. On that Friday morning the Creator of the universe, the Great High Priest, the King of kings and Lord of lords was condemned to death for being the very King He was. During these harrowing moments, no one stood with Him. All had fled. All had forsaken Him.

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, they crucified him. And they that passed by reviled him, saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, [saying] He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:27-43)

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said: “Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, in this life or the next, Sunday will come.” (Sunday Will Come, October 2006).
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“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, [the women] came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake [unto you] saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.” (Luke 24:1-9)
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The scriptures record of many others who were witnesses of the resurrected Lord: Mary Magdeline, Peter, the apostles, Paul, James, the Nephites and Lamanites of 3 Nephi, and hundreds of others. In our day, the risen Lord has appeared once again, visiting Joseph Smith the prophet, and countless others. Today each of the Apostles is a special witness of Christ’s divinity. Only two weeks before his death, Elder Bruce R. McConkie testified, “I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way. God grant that all of us may walk in the light as God our Father is in the light so that, according to the promises, the blood of Jesus Christ his Son will cleanse us from all sin.” (The Purifying Power of Gethsemane, April 1985)
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As we contemplate the singular events of the death and resurrection of the Lord and Savior, let us remember the words of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland when he said, “My ... plea at Easter time is that these scenes of Christ’s lonely sacrifice, laced with moments of denial and abandonment and, at least once, outright betrayal, must never be reenacted by us. He has walked alone once. Now, may I ask that never again will He have to confront sin without our aid and assistance, that never again will He find only unresponsive onlookers when He sees you and me along His Via Dolorosa in our present day. As we approach this holy week—Passover Thursday with its Paschal Lamb, atoning Friday with its cross, Resurrection Sunday with its empty tomb—may we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear. This Easter week and always, may we stand by Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death,” for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone.” (None Were with Him, April 2009)

Let us this Easter season, renew our efforts to feed the hungry, to lift up the hands of those that hang down, to strengthen the feeble knees, and to comfort those who stand in need of comfort. In short, let us follow the example of the Savior, who when all was dark, brought light to those around him by serving, lifting, and comforting. Let us also, with those of old, be witnesses of Christ in all things. Truly we have reason to rejoice, for Christ the Lord is Risen today!

The Sacrament and the Atonement

"Greatest in the Kingdom II" by J. Kirk Richards

A talk I gave today in church about the Sacrament and the Atonement of Christ.

My purpose today, I hope, is to increase our depth of understanding of the Sacrament (also know as Communion, or the Lord's Supper), and thus increase the significance of this sacred ritual. Of all the ordinances of the gospel, it is the only one that is performed on a weekly basis, and performed on behalf of an individual more than once in their life. We are only given a baby blessing once, we are only baptized once, for men we are only ordained to the priesthood once, and we are only endowed and sealed once in the temple. We may return often to the temple to perform work for the dead, but once we have received one of these ordinances, we no longer receive them for ourselves again. Yet the ordinance of the sacrament is performed every week, and is for our benefit each time. It is the only ordinance that we are explicitly commanded to observe more than once in our life (see D&C 59:9-12).

Ordinances have been a part of the gospel since the foundation of the earth. They are an essential part of the process that must be completed in order to become one with Christ. Ordinances are a representation of an inner-change that must occur within ourselves prior to becoming truly unified with Christ. Ordinances are a sign or witness of the eventual destination that we each must have. Ordinances, such as baptism, in and of themselves, are not enough to bring us to exaltation. The ordinance is only a symbol of what we are to become. When we truly have faith in Christ, repent of our sins, and have been baptized of water and of the spirit, then we are truly born again as Christ commanded us to become.

The simple act of partaking of the sacrament, in and of itself, will do nothing for us. The actual saving power comes when the change represented by the sacrament, actually takes place in our lives.

As asked by Elder Orson F. Whitney: “Is there any sacred efficacy in the bread or water, taken alone? No; there is not water enough in the ocean nor bread enough in all the bakeries of the world, to constitute the Lord’s Supper. What, then, makes it effective as a sacrament? It is the blessing pronounced upon it by the Priesthood and the symbolism whereby those elements are made to represent something greater than themselves, namely, the body and blood of the Savior. What is done then becomes a holy ordinance, full of force and effect” (as quoted in The Sacrament, by Truman G. Madsen, pg. 23)

Historical Background

To better understand the symbolism of the Sacrament, we must first understand the roots, or historical background of the Last Supper which took place on the eve before the Lord was crucified. On that night of nights, the Savior of the world and his apostles gathered to celebrate the Passover feast.

Passover is the oldest continuously celebrated religious holiday that exists. For over 3,500 years Jews have celebrated the Passover every year during the spring, to remember the miraculous exodus of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

There are several key factors to celebrating the Passover, each of which also directly relates to the symbolism and significance of the sacrament.

First, a lamb was to be chosen for each family that was to be sacrificed on the day before the eve of Passover. The lamb was to be a unblemished male, a year old, and was to be taken into the home five days before Passover. This little lamb would almost surely become a favorite pet of the children as they played with it, slept with it, and ate with it for the five days before Passover. Then, without breaking any of the limbs, they were to kill the lamb. It must have been a sobering experience for the children to see this “pet” die that they might live. The blood of the lamb was to be poured into a vessel and then dabbed onto the three lintels of the front door using a branch of hyssop, a type of tough wiry branch. This blood was to mark the home so that the destroying angel would pass by, not harming the first-born of that home (see Exodus 12:3-7).

Second, the Passover meal was to be eaten with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. The bitter herbs represented the bitterness and hardship of the slavery of Israel. The unleavened bread represented the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt (see Exodus 12:8). In the Bible, leaven or yeast, also was a symbol of impurity, thus unleavened bread represented purity and un-defilement (see Matthew 16:6).

Lastly, the Passover meal was to be celebrated every year, in remembrance of the mighty hand of the Lord, who brought freedom to the oppressed Israelites through the death of the first-born of Egypt (see Exodus 12:14).

The Last Supper

Christ, as an observant Jew, likewise celebrated Passover every year of his life. This feast was considered the most sacred of feasts, and hundreds of thousands of Jews gathered every year in Jerusalem for this special feast. According to Josephus, a historian of the first century, there were around 2.7 million Jews that would gather in Jerusalem every year for Passover, with an estimated 250,000 sacrificed lambs. Though this number is likely exaggerated, the number of sacrifices, and the number of visitors to Jerusalem must have been staggering. Coming to Jerusalem for Passover would have been a memorable experience to put it lightly.

According to the gospels, Jesus had his apostles prepare an upper-room in Jerusalem where they were to partake of the feast of the Passover (see Luke 22:7-8). This was a joyous time, a time to celebrate freedom and liberty, similar to our Fourth of July celebrations with fireworks and barbeques. As the apostles sat down prepared for the feast that they had each experienced on numerous occasions, Jesus changed the ritual, and added new symbolism to this important feast. Instead of focusing on the redemption of Israel from Egypt, 1,500 years before, Jesus instead looked forward to a different kind of redemption, a spiritual redemption that would take place that night in Gethsemane, the next day on the cross of Calvary, and three days later in the Garden Tomb.

The somber, yet reverential attitude of Jesus must have surprised the apostles, yet the greatest surprise must have come when he took the unleavened bread, and wine, also a part of the Passover feast, and converted them into a new symbol to represent his body and blood. From the Gospel of Luke we read: “And [Jesus] took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 2:19-20).

The apostles must have been shocked. It probably would have been as surprising to us as if the bishop decided to sacrifice a lamb during our sacrament meeting today. For them, this was a sacred ritual and Jesus was now drastically changing it. However, Jesus, who gave the law to celebrate Passover, could also change the ordinance and give it new meaning. Truly in him the law was fulfilled.

In addition, Jesus also took the chance to wash the feet of his disciples, which was unthinkable for the master of the house to submit to such a task that was only suitable for slaves and servants. Then Jesus taught his disciples some of the greatest teachings contained in the scriptures. Teachings such as the second comforter, the great intercessory prayer, to love one another even as Jesus loved them, how the Father and Son are one, and how we might gain eternal life. All of these teachings were contained in the discourse following that last authorized Passover feast in the Gospel of John chapters 13-17.

Symbolism and Application

Now let us discuss the symbolism and application of the Passover, the Last Supper, and how it relates to the Sacrament. As I mentioned, there are three key elements to the Passover feast; the lamb, the unleavened bread, and the commandment to remember Israel’s redemption.

First, the lamb of course symbolized the Lamb of God, the Holy One. Christ was the firstborn of the Father, and the only sinless being born to this earth. He followed the command of the Father with exactness. Thus, he is the perfect fulfillment of the unblemished Pascal lamb. Like the Passover lamb, his blood was shed as a witness, or to give protection for those who covered their doorposts with the blood. As Christ was on the cross, his blood oozed down and covered the wood beams of the cross, symbolically creating a gateway, door, or entryway unto eternal life, similar to the blood that covered the protected Israelite home. According to the Gospel of John, even the hyssop branch, used to dab the blood on the doorposts, was used to administer vinegar, or cheap wine, to the Savior while on the cross (see John 19:28-29). Also according to John, Jesus was even sacrificed at the exact same hour as the lambs which would be sacrificed for the Passover meal (see John 19:14).

The bread (which is sanctified or made holy) represents the body of Christ. During the Last Supper the only bread available for the Savior to use would have been the unleavened bread. Being unleavened bread, the representation of purity directly relates to the Savior’s sinless life. As we partake, we symbolically become sanctified, pure, and undefiled, representing the actual change that should and can take place when we partake of the bread, worthily and with real intent.

The wine (likewise sanctified or made holy) represents the blood of Christ. Blood in the scriptures was considered sacred because it was what gave and took life, thus, the blood of Christ, or the water of the sacrament, represents the life giving power of the atonement of the Lord. As we worthily partake of the water, we symbolically gain life through the Savior’s death and resurrection.

Remembrance is the last key element to the Passover, Last Supper, and Sacrament. When the Lord commanded Israel to observe the Passover, the concept of remembering was used several times as part of the command. In fact the entire purpose of the Passover feast (after leaving Egypt) was to remember that great event. During the Last Supper, the Lord again used the word “remember” during his prayer, and in his teachings. During the sacramental prayer used today, the word “remember” is used four times, twice in each prayer, once again emphasizing its importance (D&C 20:77-79). In fact, the word remember is mentioned more than any other word or phrase in the prayers except the name of Jesus Christ.

An important part of remembering is to remember what the Sacrament truly represents. As I mentioned at the start of my talk, the symbolism behind ordinances are to represent the true inner-change that is to take place within our hearts. For the sacrament to have effect, we must first have this inner-change. What then is this inner change? Jesus, after feeding the five thousand, taught us of this important key. In the Gospel of John it reads:

“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” (John 6:53-57).

What is the partaking of the sacrament to represent if we truly want the blessings of eternal life? We must partake of the atonement of Christ and make it part of us, just as the bread and water nurtures us and provides strength, so too the atonement must become part of us and give us strength. When the atonement becomes part of us, just as literal as the bread and water becomes part of our very being, then too, the sacrament has fulfillment, and we are sanctified and purified through the Pascal Lamb, the Lamb of God.

Conclusion

I invite you to study and ponder the meaning and symbolism behind the Passover, the Last Supper, and the Sacrament. Study Exodus 12-14, John 13-17, 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, 11:23-26, 3 Nephi 18-20, and the sacramental prayers found both in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. Look for similarities, patterns, repetition of words and phrases, and the symbolism behind this important ordinance. As you seek to better understand this important ritual, I promise that you will also likewise better understand the Savior and his atoning sacrifice that he made for each of us on that night, almost 2,000 years ago at the time of Passover.

As we study his life, our hearts will change. When that change of heart takes place we too will be redeemed from all physical and spiritual bondages. May we always remember the Lord, take upon his name, and always keep his commandments that we may always have his spirit to be with us is my prayer.

I testify of the reality of the atonement. I testify that the Savior died for us and that through the gospel of Christ we not only can be redeemed from physical and spiritual bondage, but can once again live with him and our Father in heaven again. Of this I testify in the name of the Lamb of God, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

A Triclinium Passover 2012

For several years I have held Passover dinners with friends and family. I have mostly held a more traditional Jewish feast, with very few changes to the Hagadah text (the traditional Jewish text used at all Passover feasts). However, this year I wanted to try something different. I wanted to create a setting that may have been closer to what Jesus and his disciples would have had. To do this I decided to have everyone sit on the floor around tricliniums, while eating with their hands and reclining on their sides (if they chose to). I must say it was probably one of the more memorable Passovers I have had. Below are a few of the pictures from the evening, including the table setup and the actual dinner.

To create the short triclinium tables, I set each 8' table on two cucumber boxes (I got the boxes from my local grocery store).

I bought baskets, wood bowels, and striped sheets from Goodwill. The baskets were used to serve food, and the sheets acted as a kind of mat for people to sit on during the meal.

The table runners for the tricliniums were cut from long sheets (also bought at Goodwill) into pieces about 14" wide and 8-10' long. I did use plates (as it can be very hard to always be passing the main dishes around), but only had utensils available on a side table.

As part of the feast, I had two from each table (who were sitting on the far end, nearest the kitchen) serve during the feast. They poured the grape juice, and also were responsible for assisting with washing the hands (one having a basin of water, the other a towel) as part of the Passover. These were our "servants" for the night.

Each table could seat 16 comfortably, however, we could have squeezed in a few more.

The head (or host) of the table was on the opposite side of where the servants sat (see my video about the setting of a triclinium). The head (second from the end) was served first, and acted as the leader during the Passover feast. He or she was also served the wine (grape juice) first, and had their hands washed first by the servants.

Some of the food included entire fish (which was very popular), chicken strips, meatballs, shish kabobs, lentils, and many finger foods (including traditional Roman dipping sauces, grapes, plumbs, dates, olives, nuts, hard boiled eggs, etc). The unleavened bread and sliced apples, cucumbers, and peaches were used as a sort of utensil for the meal.

Overall, I think it was a very unique experience. I hope to have many more Triclinium Passovers in the future. I will also try to share more details on how to host your own Triclinium Passover. L'chaim! (meaning "to life" in Hebrew).