(OPENING PRAYER)

The Passover begins this evening at sunset, which is the beginning of the 14th day of the first Month.

Exodus 12:1-14

How do we know this is the correct day?

Thirteen times Passover is clearly shown to be on the 14th day of the first month.

Zero, not a single instance, where Passover is referred to as the 15th.

Matthew 26:17

The word 'day' was added', it should read Now on the first of the Unleavened Bread. On the first of unleavened bread the diciples asked the Messiah where do you want us to prepare the Passover for YOU to eat. They didn't say pre Passover did they? And what was the Messiah's reply?

Matthew 26:18

The Messiah told them to tell the person that "I WILL KEEP the Passover at your house with my disciples." I have actually had people tell me, this was not really the Passover. Let me tell you something, if the Messiah tells me something and somebody else refutes that and tells me something different, who do you think I am going to believe? Who are you going to believe? The Messiah or somebody else? I believe the Messiah knew what he was talking about.

Matthew 26:19-30

The disciples prepared the Passover.

When it was evening the were reclining at the table.

Each of the four gospels clearly show the evening of Passover which is the 14th, the disciples kept the Passover with the Messiah.

Zero, not a single instance, where the disciples or any Christian kept any other day.

The early church, according to history, kept a 14th Passover. (Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History-Bk 5 Ch 24)

Polycarp was a Quartodeciman.
Thraseas was a Quartodeciman.
Sagaris was a Quartodeciman.
Papirius was a Quartodeciman.
Melito was a Quartodeciman.
Polycrates was a Quartodeciman.

So we are following the example of the Patriarchs, the Apostles and the Early Church when we keep an evening 14th Passover.

This evening, the beginning of the 14th day of the first month we keep the Passover with the symbols that the Messiah gave as a memorial to our savior.

The unleavened bread represents Christ's broken body.

Luke 22:19

John 19:1-18

Why did the Messiah have to suffer? Why couldn’t it have been quick and painless? Have you ever wondered that? Afterall, they did not torture the passover lamb before they killed it did they? So why did the Messiah have to suffer as he did? We don't have to wonder brethren, scripture tells us.

Hebrews 2:9-10

The Messiah suffered and we must suffer. If the Messiah, who was without sin, had to suffer to learn perfection, then how much more must we? Did Jesus say that the journey to God’s kingdom would be an easy one?
John 16:29-33

He didn’t say you MIGHT suffer oppression or tribulation, he said you SHALL suffer! With suffering comes compassion. It’s a hard and difficult path that we tread and we should have known this when we were baptized, but we must not get discouraged. We now find ourselves scattered, don't we? And we may well find the heat of persecution to be turned up shortly. We can't feel sorry for ourselves and must remember, the Messiah suffered more than any of us, even unto death. As we take the bread that represents the Messiah’s body, let us realize and never forget that there is no easy way into God's kingdom and we must endure unto the end.

Matthew 7:13-14

(Prayer for the unleavened bread that represents Christ’s Body and his suffering.)

(UNLEAVENED BREAD CEREMONY)

The Messiah forgave and we must forgive.

Matthew 26:27-29

The Messiah lost his life that we might be forgiven. I ask you brethren, is it important for us to also forgive those who wrong us?

Matthew 18:21-35

As we take this cup we might well ponder on “How often will we forgive our brothers?” or “How often will our Father in heaven forgive us?” We need to remember that as we forgive others, we will be forgiven. Makes you want to be mighty merciful, doesn’t it?

(Prayer for the wine that represents Jesus’ shed blood for our sins.)

(WINE CEREMONY)

Jesus Christ was a servant and we must be servants.

John 13:1-17

I ask you brethren, is it important for us to also be servants?

Matthew 25:31-46

I ask you again brethren, is it important for us to also be servants? Let us remember as we wash one another’s feet that there are people out there that NEED our help. Let’s make sure WE are there for them.

(FOOTWASHING CEREMONY)

Conclusion:

John 13:31-35

Jesus Christ laid down his life for us!

Do you love your brothers and sisters in the faith that much? We must do as the Messiah did. We must carry on and continue to follow our master’s example and keep the faith. Let’s remember this year that we must be servants, we must suffer, and we must forgive. We must follow our master's example and love one another and be compassionate to one another.

(CLOSING HYMN)

Passover Service

By James R. Faulkner