The central issue in this lesson was foreshadowed by the Children of Israel through the Passover Meal for almost three and a half thousand years. In fact, the substantive elements of that meal, Afruit of the vine@ (wine) and bread preceded the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. It is important to realize that what Latter-day Saints call the Sacrament, was in fact an ancient ordinance. The meanings of ordinances may be updated from time to time, yet the basis is still the same.
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And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.@ (Genesis 14:18)A
And Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine; and he broke bread and blest it; and he blest the wine, he being the priest of the most high God . . .@ (JST Genesis 14:17)A
It was the design of the councils of heaven before the world was, that the principles and laws of the priesthood should be predicated upon the gathering of the people in every age of the world . . . Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are not to be altered or changed. All must be saved on the same principles.@ (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843-44, Pg.308)A
Actually, of course, the law of carnal commandments, the law of performances and ordinances revealed through Moses, was an old covenant as compared with the gospel restored by Jesus and his apostles. But this new testament or covenant, this restored gospel, was the same testament that had been in force between God and his people from Adam to Moses in both the old and the new worlds.@ (Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie, Pg.543)Religious Jews still practice many forms of ancient rites and rituals whose meanings may have become distorted or lost over many years without priesthood guidance. Now that the priesthood has been restored, we can reflect and learn about the old practices in order that they may give us a better understanding of the AOld Covenant,@ which was true and how the ANew Covenant@ restored the ancient practices with true meanings.
One of the most consistent rituals includes, at the Sabbath=s beginning, a weekly pouring of Akosher wine@ by the eldest male in the family. He will say a blessing, take a sip of the wine and then each family member partakes thereafter. Another part of the Sabbath=s beginning is to bless a piece of broken bread. Again, the eldest male partakes first and the rest of the family partakes thereafter.
A Rabbi once explained that if Akosher@ wine was unavailable that Aliving water@ should be used instead. In Judaic commentary, the term Abread and water@ have been explained as Afood and wine.@ This may be the possible context of using water instead of Aunkosher@ wine, that is, wine from an unknown source.
A. . . And He will bless thy bread and thy water, as the >bread= spoken of is a food that may be bought with the money of the Second Tithe so is the >water= a liquid that may be bought with the money of the Second Tithe. Now such a liquid is, of course, wine, and yet it is called >water=.@ (Talmud, Eiruvin 65a)
Although AWine and Bread@ is done weekly and three times during the Passover meal (Seder), there is one time in Jewish ritual when bread precedes the wine. That is at one particular time in the Passover meal when the children find a Alost piece of bread,@ the afikommen. It is at the end of the meal, the Afound@ piece of bread is blessed and broken with the master of the house eating the first piece and other follow. Then, the cup of wine is filled completely with the instruction to Adrink all of it.@ There is no Jewish explanation as to the meaning of the reversed order.
From Lesson 35 of the Old Testament supplements of the previous year, the following quote may be helpful in understanding the principle that Jesus used an old ordinance of AWine and Bread.@ (old wine), explained the meaning of ABread and Wine,@ and instituted a new meaning for a weekly ritual (new wine).
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There is a verse in the Book of Joel that bridges his day when the Lord was known - to the end of days when he would not be known. The Lord has many names, one of them being AWine@ and ANew Wine.@
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Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine, for it is cut off from your mouth.@ (Joel 1:5)In the Meridian of times, the Apostle Luke seems to amplify this metaphor of the Lord being ANew Wine.@
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No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. (Luke 5:39)It is generally considered that ageing makes wine better, hence old wine is better than the new. At a festivity, the oldest, best wine is given first and then the more recent wine is used. When wine ran out at a marriage feast in Cana, Jesus was asked by his mother for assistance and it might be considered that he referred to one of his names (New Wine) by indicating that his time (fulfillment of New Wine) had not yet come.
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And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.@ (John 2:3-4)He graciously, turned water into wine (very new) and it was better than the old. It may be that the prophetic metaphor of New Wine was fulfilled when Jesus, at the ALast Supper@ instituted a new meaning for the old ordinance of Awine and bread.@ Jews still have a memory of that ritual as they pour, bless and sip wine followed by breaking, blessing and eating a piece of bread at the beginning of every Sabbath (Kiddush). The prayers accompanying that custom anticipate a future redemption that would be greater than being redeemed from Egypt at the first Passover. The only time Jews will break, bless and eat a piece of bread first, followed by pouring, blessing and sipping wine last is when children at the traditional Passover meal (Seder) find the Ahidden piece of bread@ (afikommen).
It was that piece of bread that Jesus was referring to as he blessed bread and wine giving a new meaning to an old ordinance . . . hence, the New Wine.
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And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.@ (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)As minimal as some of the ancient prophet=s writings were, they still show the deep recognition and symbolism of the Savior=s mission
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A more expanded explanation of the above will be found in the forthcoming book, HOLY LANDS REVEALED. An excerpt from section six that follows the last hours of Jesus= mortal life is included. It repeats some of the above information in the context of a Passover meal. Look for the THREE things different at Jesus= Passover meal than any other Passover meal.
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THE PASSOVER
Passover Preparations: Since the Passover was coming soon, preparations for cleaning, removal of all leaven, yeast, or items that might sprout or rise were under way. A tradition still followed in modern Israel is that the leaven must be Asold.@ The chief rabbi arranges to sell the entire country=s supply of grain, prepackaged breads, and leavened products to a non-Jew before the Passover begins. In that way whatever leaven is still around does not really belong to the Jews. The deal usually includes that this Gentile will collect all the leaven (or what might rise) when his payment is complete. However, after only a token down payment the non-Jew, a nonbeliever, never really gets around to making the final payment. So, by default ownership is Areturned@ to the Jews; and it just turns out, meanwhile, that the Passover is completed anyway. Probably with the Passover preparation in mind, the disciples asked,
MATTHEW 26:17 Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover?
The Upper Room: He instructed them to find a man carrying a water pitcher; this is something women usually would do. They found the man who led them to an upper room. Most people just assume that the upper room was upstairs. Jerusalem had two city parts known as the upper city and the lower city. It is possible that the term upper room really refers to a room in the upper part of the city where many prominent priests lived. The disciples said,
MATTHEW 26:18 The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples.
From what follows in the scriptural narrative, the preparations may have been ready except for the sacrificial lamb. There are no sacrifices done or eaten during the preparation time until the ninth hour of the day (three hours before Passover begins).
Passover Traditions: To better understand Jesus= ALast Supper,@ consideration of other highlights of the Passover will be helpful. In the past the Seder table was set up in a U-shape with the participants sitting on the outside. So, looking inward, the master of the house, usually the oldest male, would sit second from the right end. This kept available an empty spot to his right. Nowadays he will usually select a boy, probably the youngest, to sit at his right hand and assist him in the order (Seder) of the meal and ritual customs. One thing the boy does is sing a song, AWhat makes this night different from any other night?@ Later we will consider three differences of Jesus= Passover from any other Passover.
Elijah at the Passover: Continuing with the seating arrangement, the last seat on the other end remains empty. It is available for Elijah. His place is opposite of the oldest and the youngest. Incidentally, the imagery and symbolism are outstanding. The Passover turns the hearts of the youngest to the traditions and deliverance of the past. Elijah=s mission is to announce the coming of the ADeliverer.@
MALACHI 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers . . .
At the Master=s Right Hand: An event occurring before the Passover two thousand years ago was a discussion of who would sit at the right hand of Jesus, the Master.
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee=s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
. . . Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left.
Jesus answered:
to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. MATTHEW 20:20-23
Jesus further taught,
MATTHEW 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Thus, the ancient Passover seating arrangement became quite significant; could the question have been a practical one for that season? Which of the youngest would sit by the Master?
Foods for the Passover: Considering the Jewish calendar and the scriptural narrative, Jesus then led a Passover meal with his disciples when they found the upper room. It still was only the beginning of the preparation evening/day. The Passover really began on the following evening. Modern-day preparations include bitter herbs that are symbolic of bondage. There is a mixture of chopped fruit, nuts, cinnamon, and honey that represent deliverance. Parsley or watercress is used as a token of gratitude for the earth=s abundant goodness. Salted water or vinegar is set out for cleansing use. There are also preparations of a lamb=s shank bone, a reminder of past sacrifices. There is an egg, also reminiscent of a sacrifice and new beginning.
Symbolism of Foods: At Passover, these and other certain foods are eaten, symbolizing the deliverance from Egypt. Wine is prepared, and it will be used four times. A prominent rabbi in Israel recently suggested that even the wine should be Aunleavened@ or unfermented. This could be considered as Anew wine.@ The ancient metaphor of new wine was also used to anticipate the Deliverer. Ancient prophets said,
JOEL 1:5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine. JOEL 3:18
LUKE 5:39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Wine and Bread Symbolism: Analyzing the symbolism, one can suggest that when wine is poured before the bread is broken, it is done to remember the first Passover deliverance. However, what is more important, it is done to look forward to a greater deliverance in the future. In the Seder there are three times when the wine is blessed and sipped. Following each wine sip, a piece of unleavened bread is used. Each piece is blessed, broken, and eaten. There is a total of three pieces of bread, but they are used four times. Toward the beginning of the Seder, the middle of three pieces is first broken in two. Half has to be hidden away, usually in an upper part of the house. In any case, it must be hidden Aabove@ something - preferable to hiding it Aunderneath@ something. It will be found later by children and it will be used with a fourth cup of wine. However, in many traditions, this fourth cup of wine is used after the fourth piece of bread, the afikommen.
Door Left Open for Elijah: A complete meal is eaten with a door left open for Elijah, who by Jewish tradition would announce the coming Messiah. After the meal, children search for the hidden piece of bread that is often wrapped in a red cloth. When found, the children receive a gift. This piece of bread is then blessed, broken, and eaten. Some traditions use this last piece of bread, the afikommen, to dip in the very sweet mixture of fruit and nuts, the Charoseth. As mentioned, it is after the afikommen is found that the fourth cup of wine is poured and blessed. The master of the house then says, ADrink all of it.@ The prayer spoken then invokes a hope for a greater deliverance in the future.
Judas at the Last Supper: Let us return to the ALast Supper@ of Jesus with his disciples. Sometime that evening Judas had excused himself and left. The other disciples may have thought he was going out to purchase the lamb for the Passover meal. Instead he was leaving to sell the Lamb of God. Looking at the event in another way, one can see that his departure was to make a sale - for thirty pieces of silver he was selling the ABread of Life@ to the corrupt priests. Metaphorically we can see it as an act of selling the ALeaven, the Bread of Life,@ to unbelievers.
And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord God. AMOS 4:5
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. 1 CORINTHIANS 5:7
Jesus preempts the Passover Meal: It seems that Jesus= supper preceded the normal time for the Passover meal that year by a day. That is the first item that was different that night than any other Passover night. The following evening really began the seven-day Passover period, and by that time Jesus was already crucified and in the tomb. This high, holy week always began on the first full moon after the first day of spring. Every year that day becomes an extra Sabbath that week; it is called a High Day. That High Day may occur on any day of the week, including the regular Sabbath. However, what is most important is that the beginning and ending day of the Passover is always treated as a Sabbath day.
Bread and Wine Explained: The second item that makes the ALast Supper@ different from any other night is the explanation of the bread taken before the wine. Jesus used this meal to teach his Apostles that he was the Deliverer. He probably showed that the Passover practice of partaking of wine followed by bread (three times) was very likely a symbolic anticipation of a future atonement. It was henceforth changed to bread followed by wineCsymbolic of the deliverance he was to carry out within the next four days. The Savior then,
LUKE 22:19 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.
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it . . . MATTHEW 26:27
He also said,
For this is in remembrance of my blood of the new testament, which is shed for as many as shall believe on my name, for the remission of their sins. MATTHEW 26:24 (jst)
Messianic Symbol of Bread: The messianic symbolism can be further visualized in the three pieces of unleavened bread that could represent God, his Son, and the Holy Ghost. The three pieces are usually layered top, center, and bottom. In due course of the meal, the first part of the center piece is blessed (initially) and then broken. The hidden part of the center piece is found later (often wrapped in a red cloth) at the end of the meal by the children (a later generation), and then they receive a reward. That piece is then broken and then blessed, followed by wine. Another chiasmus can be recognized as first it is Awine and bread@ then, after the Ahidden@ piece is found, it is Abread and wine.@ The Atonement is the center focus. A tradition to place the hidden piece above something may also connote the second coming of the Messiah. The first time he came in lowly circumstances, a manger. The second time he comes dressed in red and in great glory from above. It is he later generation that finds him and Agreat shall be their reward.@
The Traditional Upper Room: A traditional room built only eight hundred years ago reminds us of an upper room, as the scriptures say. As mentioned already, the word upper may refer more to the upper part of the city rather than a room upstairs. The upper part of ancient Jerusalem was the area where the priests lived, and generally it was considered the upper-class section of the city. It was the section where many ATemple Levites@ lived. It was also close to the house of Annas the former High Priest and his son-in-law, Caiaphas.
Jesus as a Servant: The upper room Passover meal concluded with Jesus demonstrating his role as their servant.
JOHN 13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples= feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
Peter objected, and Jesus responded,
JOHN 13:8-9 If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
Always teaching, the Savior continued,
JOHN 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another=s feet.
A New Commandment: There was another instruction given during this evening that was different from instruction given any other time. This is the third item that makes this night different than any other night.
JOHN 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you . . .
From Sinai where the children of Israel compromised themselves to the Alesser law of performance,@ the old concept was different,
MATTHEW 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
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The Aold@ ordinances looked forward to Him who would redeem us, the Anew@ ordinances are the same - with the remembrance that He redeemed us! He instituted the new meanings for eternal rituals.