Alvin Ramsamy 

      

R.E. Coursework: Last Supper

                                               The Last Supper

        The last supper was a celebration of the Passover as Jesus was Jewish, and celebrated it. To Jesus and most Jews this was the most important meal in the Jewish year. The Passover meal commemorates the Exodus; In Old Testament times Israelites were slaves in Egypt. God asked Moses to go to the Pharaoh and demand the freedom of his people, but the Pharaoh refused. To make him change his mind God sent ten plagues to Egypt. The tenth plague made the Pharaoh change his mind; it was the death of the entire first born of Egypt. Moses had told the Jews they would escape the fate of the tenth plague by performing a special ceremony, given to Moses by God. They had to kill a lamb and then sprinkle the doorposts of their houses with the lamb’s blood. This was an indication to the Angel of Death, which God had sent, to ‘Passover’ there houses.

        They ate a special meal while this was happening, which consist of fresh flat bread, with roast lamb and bitter herbs. Every year to this day Jews celebrate the Passover. During the meal the father of the family explains to the youngest child, he says, on this night god saved his people and freed them from slavery. By saying on this night the Jewish family make the memory real for the present moment. This is important when looking at what Jesus did at the Last Supper.

        The Passover is divided into four main sections. The introduction is the first section. The meal starts with the blessing of the first cup wine by the oldest male. This cup is drunk as a symbol of Joy. With the first cup of wine, a dish of bitter herbs and a puree of figs, dates and almonds are served. This is to stimulate the appetite and remind them of their bitter captivity and bitter years of slavery in Egypt. Then the meal is served and a second cup of wine is served, but neither is consumed.

        The second section of the Passover of the Passover meal is the Passover Liturgy. The story of the Passover is told by answering the question ‘ what is the meaning of this night’. This outline of the story is called the ‘Haggadah’. After this story the family sing the first part of the special Passover Psalms, which are called the ‘Hallel Psalms’. The second cup of wine is drunk, which is called the ‘Hallel Cup’. The third section is the Passover Meal. The unleavened bread is blessed, this symbolises the urgency of the first Passover. The words of blessing are something like:

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‘ Praise to you, Lord, King of the universe who causes bread to come to earth’.    

       The lamb, bitter herbs and bread are eaten, and the meal ends with the blessing and drinking of the third cup. The fourth and final part is the conclusion. The meal finishes with the singing of the second part of the Hallel Psalms. After the celebration, the final gesture is the sharing of the fourth cup of wine.

     

       The Last Supper started when Jesus sent his disciples with instructions to prepare ...

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