|
|
HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS Lesson
#23 New Testament
New Testament Gospel Doctrine supplement by Daniel Rona
Weekly E-mail Reminder
<< LOVE ONE
ANOTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU >>
Luke 22:1-38; John
13-15
Can Something OLD
become NEW?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1.) ALL ORDINANCES
ARE ETERNAL:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apparently, the Passover Meal, later known as the Sacrament,
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 (direction or orientation) of ordinances may be updated from time
to time, yet the basis is still the same. ". . . the law of performances
and ordinances . . . 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)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2.) JEWS BEGIN
SABBATH WITH WINE AND BREAD:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the start of the Sabbath a weekly pouring,
blessing and sip of "kosher wine" is done by the eldest male in the
family. Each family member partakes thereafter. Then a piece of bread is blessed
– the eldest male partakes, the family thereafter. A rabbi once explained that
if "kosher" wine was unavailable that "living water" should
be used instead.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3.) ONLY ONE JEWISH
OCCASION WHEN BREAD PRECEDES WINE:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That is in the Passover meal when the
children find a "lost piece of bread," the afikommen. At the end of
the meal, the "found" piece of bread is blessed and broken, the master
of the house eats the first piece, and others follow. Then, the cup of "new"wine
is filled completely with instruction to "drink all of it."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4.) OLD ORDINANCE
(OLD WINE) GETS A NEW DIRECTION (NEW WINE):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consider, that the prophetic
metaphor of "Old Wine," looking forward to a greater deliverance than
from Egypt, was replaced with "New Wine," as Jesus, at the Last
Supper, instituted a "new meaning" for the old ordinance of wine (1st)
and bread (2nd). The "hidden afikommen" was what Jesus used as he
blessed bread and wine giving a new meaning to an old ordinance . . . hence, the
"New Wine." ". . . this is my body, which is broken for you: this
do in remembrance of me. After . . . he took the cup . . . saying, this cup is
the new testament (covenant) in my blood: this do ye . . . in remembrance of
me." (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5.) PASSOVER MEAL,
"THE SEDER," SEATING, SINGING, A MESSIANIC EXPECTATION:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A more
expanded explanation of the above is found in the book, ISRAEL REVEALED.
An excerpt appears in the full supplement to this lesson. Look for the THREE
items that were DIFFERENT at Jesus’ Passover meal than at any other Passover
meal. First, it was on the beginning of the preparation evening/day. The
Passover really began the following night. The beginning and ending day of
Passover are always treated as Sabbath days – even though they may not be on
the regular seventh day). This simply clarifies that Jesus was in the tomb three
nights – Passover Sabbath, a Thursday night, the regular Sabbath, a Friday
night and Saturday the third night.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6.) SYMBOLISM OF
FOODS FOR THE PASSOVER:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bitter herbs is for bondage. Chopped fruit, nuts,
cinnamon, and honey represent deliverance. Parsley or watercress is a token of
earth’s abundant goodness. Salted water or vinegar is for cleansing. A lamb’s
shank bone reminds of past sacrifices and an egg is reminiscent of a new
beginning. Wine is used four times with the suggestion that it should be
"unleavened" or unfermented (new wine).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(7.) DOOR LEFT OPEN
FOR ELIJAH:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who, by Jewish tradition, would announce the coming Deliverer
– Messiah. Latter-day Saints testify that Elijah came – April 3, 1836,
Passover that year!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(8.) OLD BECOMES NEW
– THE DIFFERENCES:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The old covenant anticipated Him who would deliver and
redeem us; the new covenant is DIFFERENT in that it looks back with the
remembrance that He delivered and redeemed us! The bread taken before the wine
is explained as, ". . . this do in remembrance . . ." (Luke
22:19) In remembering His atonement we are able to understand the third
thing explained as DIFFERENT, the hallmark of the New and (yet) Everlasting
Covenant. It takes us beyond the old concept of "love one another as you
love yourself." He said, "A new commandment . . . love one another; as
I have loved you . . ." (John 13:34)
|
|
