Passover and The Lord’s Supper

The Passover of the Old Testament pointed to Jesus Christ and Christ alone.

Let us take a quick examination between the “Passover” of Exodus 12 and the “Lord’s Supper” of the New Testament. A common conception is these are the exact same events. While they are similar, there are some not so subtle differences which we should be aware of. We will first examine the “Passover” of Exodus and secondly, the “Lord’s Supper” of the gospels.

Our starting point is this. The Passover of the Old Testament pointed to Jesus Christ and Christ alone. The symbols of Exodus 12 were real physical items, lamb, blood on door posts and fleeing Egypt (representing sin) on the night of the 15^th. These were real physical events. Exodus 12 was not the beginning of the Passover and its symbols of the coming of Christ. Before the Exodus event, we see Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac (See Gen. 22) and Abraham entertained the three angels (One was Jesus) and then Lot had to flee Sodom (See Gen. 18 and 19). A deep study shows both of these to be Passover events recorded for us before Exodus 12.

The timing of the Passover of Exodus 12 is quite clear. The Passover lamb was slain late at the end of the 14^th day of the first month (Ex. 12:6). Blood was put onto the two doorposts then the lamb was roasted and served with unleavened bread. (vs. 7) These were events at the end of the 14^th. Verse 8 says, “Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.” The eating of the roast lamb was at the beginning of the 15^th day of the month after sunset. God instituted time and days in Genesis 1 and 2 with days starting and ending at sunset. The Passover lamb (Representing the coming Messiah-Jesus) was killed late in the afternoon of the 14^th. The supper was eaten early in the evening of the 15^th. Leviticus 23:5-8 repeats this exact same timing of the Passover and the beginning of the Days of Unleavened Bread. The symbols were literal blood and lamb. There is no mention of wine being consumed nor any foot washing.

What of the New Testament “Lord’s Supper”? In the gospel accounts there are some major symbol changes in this event. There has to be symbol changes because Jesus Himself has become the lamb. What Exodus 12 pointed to became clear and fulfilled with the death and resurrection of Jesus our Savior. In the Exodus account we see the lamb was slain late in the afternoon of the 14^th and supper was held early in the evening of the 15^th. What was the New Testament, gospel recorded timing of these events?

First, Jesus Himself was the Passover lamb therefore He died about 3 P.M. towards the end of the 14^th day. We see the timing of the “Lord’s Supper” happened at the beginning of the 14^th day in the evening. It had to, as Jesus was going to die the next afternoon but still on the 14^th. Luke 22:7-22 gives us a good timeline of events but no dates are mentioned. By this time in Jewish history the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread were simply called the Passover and there was no need to give a date as the Jewish community knew the dates.

By combining the gospel accounts of Matt. 26:20-30; Mark 14:17-26 and Luke 22:14 with Paul’s account of I Cor. 11:23-24 we see the not-so-subtle changes between the Exodus 12 account and the new symbols instituted by Jesus Himself for our observance. Luke 22:14-22 gives us the New Covenant symbols of the “cup” (v.17) symbolic of the blood of Jesus and the breaking of the “unleavened bread” (vs.19) symbolic of the breaking of His body. Following up in John 13:1-17 we also see the symbolic action of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. The “cup”, breaking of the “bread” and the “washing of the feet” were not a part of the Exodus Passover account and are new symbols instituted by Jesus on His last night of life. The Passover over changed from the “Physical” enactment of what was to come in the future and became the “Lord’s Supper” with Jesus fulfilling the old symbols and transforming the event into the New Covenant spiritual enactment with the new symbols of the cup, unleavened bread and foot washing. Jesus said, “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:15 NKJV, unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is NKJV).

The timing of the New Testament Lord’s supper is this. Jesus had to have His last Passover at the beginning of the 14^th in the evening as He was the lamb to be slaughtered at about 3P.M. towards the end of the 14^th. This timing is the universal practice of all the Churches of God, to observe the Lord’s Supper at the beginning of the 14^th in the evening just after sunset. This Passover (Lord’s Supper) service traditionally in all the Churches of God consists of a service to commemorate the Lord’s Supper, as Jesus commanded. This service consists of the washing of the feet, drinking of the wine and the breaking of the bread. The service concludes with a song (Mark 14:22-26) and then all are dismissed. The usual time for the Lord’s Supper service is about 45 minutes.

It has been a tradition for many in the Churches of God to have a “Night to be much observed” dinner at the beginning of the 15^th after sunset. This is in honor of the children of Israel and their meal on the 15^th in the Exodus 12 account, but it is NOT a Passover celebration. “It is a night of solemn observance to the LORD for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations.” (Ex. 12:42). This event is a tradition and not a command.

A summary of Exodus 12 (Passover) and the gospel accounts (Lord’s Supper) shows this:

The Passover account of Exodus 12 had physical symbols of killing of the lamb at the end of the 14^th and the eating of the lamb and unleavened bread early on the night of the 15^th. The fleeing of Egypt (Putting out of sin) occurring before sunrise on the morning of the 15^th. There was no foot washing or consumption of wine mentioned.

The New Testament Lord’s Supper occurred at the beginning of the 14^th, after sunset (Christ was to be the lamb at the end of the 14^th, about 3 PM, the traditional time of the slaying of the Passover lamb of Exodus 12). Christ instituted the new symbols of foot washing, drinking from the cup and breaking of unleavened bread and commanded us to do as His example had been. (John 13:15).

The churches of God recognize the subtle differences between The Lord’s Supper initiated and installed by Jesus Christ in the New Testament and the “Passover” practices of Exodus 12. The “Passover” of Exodus 12 pointed to Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice as recorded in the before mentioned gospel verses. The churches of God keep the Lord’s Supper at the beginning of the 14^th, after sunset as Christ did on His last night of human life.

Who may participate in the New Covenant “Lord’s Supper” service? “Two requirements exist for participation in the Lord’s Supper, Communicants should be disciples of Jesus who 1) confess faith in Him and 2) examine themselves with the intent of correcting their faults, especially improper attitudes and actions toward the body and blood of Jesus (I Corinthians 11:27-29).”¹

The Church of God (Seventh) Day (COG7)” chooses to observe this memorial service in the season it was established, specifically at the beginning of the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan according to the Hebrew calendar.”²

For further information one can read pages 83-87 from “This We believe.”³

Mike Wallace

Senior Spiritual Advisor, Colorado Springs Church of God (Seventh) Day and COG7 Montana Coordinator.

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