Christian observance of Passover

For the Christian feast commemorating the Last Supper, see Maundy Thursday.

Some Christians have started holding a version of a Passover Seder, adapted from the Jewish feast held during the holiday of Passover. It is distinct from traditional Christian Holy Week observances such as Maundy Thursday—which commemorates the Last Supper—and Easter. Their observances draw theological connections between the traditional Passover story of Exodus and the life and death of Jesus Christ.[1] This practice is regarded by many as cultural appropriation of a minority group's practices by a dominant group.[2][3][4][5][6]

Practices

Denominations observing this practice include the Assemblies of Yahweh, Messianic Jews, some congregations of the Church of God (Seventh Day), Sabbatarian Churches of God, Jehovah's Witnesses, and other groups, but observances and timing vary both across and within these denominations.

Some Christians eat lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread.[7] Others follow the instructions (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20) that Jesus gave to his disciples at the Last Supper before he was crucified, and share bread (usually unleavened) and wine instead of roasted lamb.[8] In some versions, the ceremony is combined with washing one another's feet, as Jesus did for his disciples the night that he suffered (John 13:5–14).[8]

Controversy

Passover is a week-long festival celebrating the Jewish exodus from slavery in Egypt. Some Christians have argued for celebrating their own version of Passover because they believe that Jesus celebrated the holiday.[9] The second century bishop of Hierapolis, Claudius Apollinaris, voiced his objections to how some were either keeping the Passover, or how some were interpreting the events that formed the foundation of the Christian custom.

Apollinaris wrote:

There are, then, some who through ignorance raise disputes about these things (though their conduct is pardonable: for ignorance is no subject for blame — it rather needs further instruction), and say that on the fourteenth day the Lord ate the lamb with the disciples, and that on the great day of the feast of unleavened bread He Himself suffered; and they quote Matthew as speaking in accordance with their view. Wherefore their opinion is contrary to the law, and the Gospels seem to be at variance with them. … The fourteenth day, the true Passover of the Lord; the great sacrifice, the Son of God instead of the lamb, who was bound, who bound the strong, and who was judged, though Judge of living and dead, and who was delivered into the hands of sinners to be crucified, who was lifted up on the horns of the unicorn, and who was pierced in His holy side, who poured forth from His side the two purifying elements, water and blood, word and spirit, and who was buried on the day of the Passover, the stone being placed upon the tomb.[10]

Some Christians do celebrate Passover in community with Jews, with respect and appreciation for Jewish tradition. However, many Jews believe that, when Christians celebrate a Christian interpretation of Passover, they are appropriating a holiday which is celebrated by an oppressed group of people, and that, by making the holiday their own, they demean Jewish culture, history, and ritual. There is also concern that this appropriation can be dangerous.[9]

"The misappropriation of Jewish tradition resides within a longstanding history of “supersessionist” theology and has created the pretext for anti-Jewish hatred and violence since the time of the Roman Empire. It presupposes that Christians are the “real Jews,” while Jews continue to practice an outdated tradition unworthy of respect and acknowledgement as a religion of its own."[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ "The United Church of God". Archived from the original on 2010-06-19. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  2. ^ Reynolds, Simon (9 April 2021). "Why the Church should not appropriate the Seder". Church Times. London. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  3. ^ "WorldWide Religious News-Some Jews see trespass in Christian Seders". Retrieved 2013-03-16.
  4. ^ Feder, Shira (March 26, 2018). "Why Are Christians Starting To Have Passover Seders?". The Forward. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  5. ^ Friedman, Matthew (April 17, 2019). "Why is this Night Different? The Problem of the Christian Seder". Politics/Letters. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  6. ^ Burack, Emily (March 27, 2019). "Why Are Christian Passover Seders a Thing?". Alma. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  7. ^ "Women for Faith & Family". Archived from the original on 2007-02-06. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  8. ^ a b How Should Christians Celebrate the Passover?
  9. ^ a b c Stanton, Rabbi Joshua (2022-04-15). "Passover is Here. Why are Some Christians Celebrating this Jewish Ritual?". Interfaith America. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  10. ^ "Apollinaris", From the Book Concerning Passover. Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. Excerpted from Volume I of The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, editors); American Edition copyright © 1885. Copyright © 2001 Peter Kirby.

Further reading

  • Edward Chumney. The Seven Festivals of the Messiah. Treasure House, 1994. ISBN 1-56043-767-7
  • Howard, Kevin. The Feasts of The Lord God's Prophetic Calendar From Calvary to the Kingdom. Nelson Books, 1997. ISBN 0-7852-7518-5
  • Rosen, Ceil; Rosen, Moishe (1978). Christ in the Passover: Why is This Night Different. Moody Publishers. ISBN 0-8024-1392-7.
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