Seders and the Cross?
NOTE: Having written the blog below, I realize it is harsh. I also realize that alot of effort went into this seder and I'm not trying to hurt those people. However, I do feel strongly about this. Hence, the blog:
Ok, so lately something has really been bothering me. Well, alots been bothering me. But one thing in particular has come up. Last Thursday, CSF did what's called a Jewish seder, aka a Jewish Passover Meal. I went, thinking it sounded cool. I walked away sort of perplexed. Having contemplated it for a couple days, I think I've realizied why I'm annoyed and subsequently, as I will attempt to explain, why I think its a smack to God's face.
To begin, let me explain a little bit about this seder. It was essentially a traditional Jewish Passover, even so far as to have the authentic seat for Elijah (I believe was the prophet). I guess the bigger point, is that the reason we supposedly did this was to mimic Jesus last supper. However throughout this entire meal, Jesus was never mentioned. Infact he never really came up. There wasn't even a seat for Jesus.
This led me to thinking, why even do this. Yea it sounds hip and cool. But in reality, this week should be to focus on Jesus, God's son. God sent Jesus as a living sacrifice to atone for our sins. That's a pretty big gift. In doing so, God wiped away the old convenant, that which he made with the Jews. So, to celebrate this gift, we revert back to Jewish traditions? If God sent his son to atone for our sins and free us from this old convenant in order to make a new one, then why are we spending this week focusing on a tradition of a culture who denies Jesus existence?
These are just my thoughts, I am leaving this open to debate. Please feel free to post your comments. However, if you quote scripture, please provide a reference to where it came from.
posted by Hal Waggoner Jr. @ 9:00 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
Hey Hal, I can see what you mean. But the reason we did this is to understand the context Jesus placed Himself in for the time of his sacrifice in crucifixion. Read my post on the issue.
The fact is, the Passover is a celebration of God saving His people. And the fact that Jesus did the same thing in a different but similar way for us is why we should be thoughtful on this process. Jesus was not mentioned at the Sedar because it was ran by a Jewish person who, as you said, does not recognize Jesus' deity. However, I hope you could still see the similarities between what the Jews celebrated and what we have to celebrate.
For instance, the Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians, and something had to die for the people to be freed from their slavery. This compares to we, who are slaves to sin, and we were only freed by the death of One who was perfect.
Realize that the wiping away of the requirements of the law does not mean ceasing to celebrate what God has done in the past. The Jews love the Passover celebration and don't do it every year only because God ordered them to, but because they love thinking on what God has done for them.
Besides, the Jews are our brothers, even if they don't recognize the same about us. We should be interested in the culture of our Savior.
True, and I see where you are comming from on this. However, I have two points. The first is that this should of been better explained before we did the passover. Second, since we are Christians, I think a better way would be to have in done by Jews who have accepted Christ.
However, I still abide by my original comment. I don't think we need to celebrate a passover feast to put Jesus in focus for crucifixtion week. Without trying to be cynical, I don't ride a donkey into church on palm Sunday, why whould I celebrate passover when I'm not a Jew? These are just my feelings on the matter.
Those are some good points, Hal....I appreciate your thoughts.
One thing the Passover Meal did for me was help give me the perspective that the disciples must have had that night as they shared the meal with Jesus, who would be crucified that very next day.
Being reminded of God's faithfulness and the rescue of his chosen people in Egypt.....and then to see Jesus break the matzah bread, or Afikhoman (the thing that was hidden at the meal), and hand it out to the disciples, and say, "this is my body, broken for you" and the wine, "this is my blood, shed for you"....in light of the whole story of the passover lamb....what must they have been thinking?? Do you think they had a clue about what Jesus was saying? In the days and weeks following, do you think they picked apart every minute of that last meal together, finally understanding some of what Jesus was communicating? I would love to know what they must have been thinking....
At CSF,we don't ever want to take the Holy Week for granted...do the same old stuff every year...because we risk making it routine. We risk encouraging students to think, "I've heard it all before". So this year we offered something from a different perspective, to help students see the context of that night in the upper room with Jesus and the disciples.
I certainly don't think it was a wasted experience, and am thankful that Laura would share that special part of her heritage with us so that we could understand our own heritage a little better. I agree that next time we try something like this, it might be better to have a Christian perspective on the whole thing. Next year you can be a part of the Rez Week planning team!!
Ok, like I said in the beginning, I'm not trying to offend anyone. I think that we are just going to have to agree to disagree on this one. However, more comments are still welcome.
I was waiting for you to chime in Mike. I read what you posted and it actually clarrified things a little bit for me. Also, while researching this I cam across the following passage:
Colossians 2:16-17
16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
So celebrating the passover isn't neccessarily a bad thing. However, I still have serious reservations about it. Especially the way in which we celebrate it. I think celebrating it strictly as a Jewish person would, looking towards the comming of the Messiah as if he hasn't come yet, is not neccessarily a good thing. I think that if we are going to celebrate the passover, we should celebrate it as Christians, under the realization that Christ has come.
Just thought I'd weigh in...
I didn't go to the Passover (had class) but I also had some concerns after hearing that it was to occur. It would have been better if, after going through the Passover, CSF had gone through the similarities between the passover in Egypt and Jesus sacrifice on the cross. My apologies if you guys did this. I don't know since I wasn't there...but based on Hal's post, I assume the connection to Jesus was left out.
Kudos to remembering the past, it's just important to connect it to what matters. Remember it was Communion Jesus commanded in remembrance of Him. Communion=Passover version 2.0
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