Presentation looks at Passover, Jesus

What does the Jewish Passover and Jesus' last supper have in common?

//

Murray Tilles, of Light of Messiah Ministries in Atlanta, will answer that question as he presents Jesus in the Passover at 6:30 p.m. today at Mosaic United Methodist Church in Evans.

"Everything I heard recommending (him) was just so strong and the information sounds so relevant, especially given our world situation, the political situation in Israel and the connection that is increasingly made between evangelical Christians and Jews, it just seems like a good idea for us to remember our relationship," Mosaic pastor Carolyn Moore said.

Jews and Christians usually differ in their views of the Passover.

In Judaism, the Passover seder, or service held in Jewish homes, commemorates the Exodus and freedom of the Israelites from ancient Egypt.

The Last Supper was actually a Passover meal and Jesus' last meal that he shared with his 12 apostles on the eve of his crucifixion.

During his lifetime, Jesus celebrated Passover every year, and Christians believe that all the symbols of Passover ultimately point to him.

"It is amazing, actually, how the Passover is a highly symbolic meal and each of the elements in the Passover tells a story of the Jewish people and how God delivered them from the slavery in Egypt," Moore said. "God instituted the Passover to remind the Jewish people of how he delivered them. Each of those elements in the Passover meal can easily point to Christ."

Moore said Jesus in the Passover will show the Jewish roots of faith in Jesus and explore the celebration of Communion, which is based on the Last Supper.

Tilles' presentation will include a table set with the traditional Passover elements and will show how Jews celebrate Passover today, how the symbolic foods of Passover picture God's redemption and how Jesus is foreshadowed in the story and celebration of the Passover.

"Christians believe that Jesus reinterpreted the Passover," Moore said.

Even the way the napkins are folded and the bread is placed with them have symbolism in both religions, she said.

"As Christians have interpreted the Passover in light of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, we are bade to see in the same elements, used in the same way, how God, even as far back as the Exodus of the Jews, was revealing his plan for Jesus as Messiah," Moore said.

The presentation is free and open to the public. Child care will be provided. The event will be preceded at 5:30 p.m. by a covered-dish supper, which is open to the public.

Mosaic United Methodist Church is at 578 Columbia Industrial Blvd. in Evans. For more information, call the church at (706) 877-6468.