As we examine all of the details that are given in the Gospels, we see some very specific ways in which the Messiah observed Passover with his disciples. When we study the scriptures, it becomes quite obvious that it is the Passover that Yeshua wants his disciples to continue to keep today (not communion and definitely not the Pagan holiday called Easter).
Lets explore the Gospel records to see how Yeshua observed the Passover Seder meal with his disciples, and how Passover itself is prophetic about the Messiah.
Yeshua predicted his death on Passover: Yeshua knew his purpose, he new that he was the "Passover Lamb", the "Lamb of God" who came to take away our sins. Just as John the Baptist and Paul also understood his purpose and the reason for his death.
It was just before the festival of Pesach, and Yeshua knew that the time had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. Having loved his own people in the world, he loved them to the end. (John 13:1)
When Yeshua had finished speaking, he said to his disciples, "As you know, Pesach is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be nailed to the execution-stake." (Matthew 26:1-2)
Yeshua looked forward to Passover, especially this one: He knew what was going to happen, and he was eager to share it with his disciples.
When the time came, Yeshua and the disciples reclined at the table, and he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to celebrate this Seder with you before I die! (Luke 22:14-15)
The disciples were eager to celebrate Passover with Yeshua: Passover is a wonderful and joyful time of celebration, and everyone who celebrates it looks forward to it each year. I can only imagine how much more the disciples of Yeshua would anticipate this important celebration.
On the first day for matzah, the disciples came to Yeshua and asked, "Where do you want us to prepare your Seder?" (Matthew 26:17)
On the first day for matzah, when they slaughtered the lamb for Pesach, Yeshua's disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare your Seder?" (Mark 14:12)
Yeshua washed his disciples feet: At the point during the Seder that people usually wash their hands, Yeshua washed the feet of his disciples.
Then he poured some water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples and wipe them off with the towel wrapped around him... Yeshua answered him, "If I don't wash you, you have no share with me." (John 13:5-8)
Yeshua knew who would betray him: He referenced dipping the matzah, which is a reference to the tradition of dipping the matzah in bitter herbs. Most people use horseradish as the bitter herbs, and it represents the bitterness of bondage in Egypt. We see that Yeshua used it to represent the bitterness of betrayal.
he said, "Yes, I tell you that one of you is going to betray me." They became terribly upset and began asking him, one after the other, "Lord, you don't mean me, do you?" He answered, "The one who dips his matzah in the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man will die just as the Tanakh says he will; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! (Matthew 26:21-24)
Yeshua, in deep anguish of spirit, declared, "Yes, indeed! I tell you that one of you will betray me... "It's the one to whom I give this piece of matzah after I dip it in the dish." So he dipped the piece of matzah and gave it to Y'hudah [Judas] Ben-Shim`on from K'riot. (John 13:21-26)
Yeshua equated the broken "Afikoman" to himself:After the passover meal, the leader breaks a piece of matza and distributes pieces of the afikoman to each guest. The gospels tell us that before he broke the matzah that he made the "b'rakhah", which is a traditional hebrew blessing, most likely the "ha'motzi", blessing over bread. In Hebrew it would be, "Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha'olam, ha'motzi lehem min ha‑aretz" and the English translation is, "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth."
Yeshua took a piece of matzah, made the b'rakhah, broke it, gave it to the disciples and said, "Take! Eat! This is my body!" (Matthew 26:26)
Yeshua took a piece of matzah, made the b'rakhah, broke it, gave it to them and said, "Take it! This is my body." (Mark 14:22)
Also, taking a piece of matzah, he made the b'rakhah, broke it, gave it to them and said, "This is my body, which is being given for you; do this in memory of me." (Luke 22:19)
Yeshua claimed the "cup of redemption" is the "New Covenant" in his blood: There are traditionally four cups fo wine that are used during the Passover Seder. The first is the "cup of sanctification", the second is the "cup of instruction", the third is the "cup of redemption", and the fourth is the "cup of praise". The first two cups are taken during the seder before the meal, and the third and fourth cups are taken after the meal. We see that after the meal, Yeshua took the third cup, the cup of redemption and connected said to do it in remembrance of him. We also see that he did not drink the fourth cup yet, the cup of praise. He said he would drink it in the kingdom.
Also he took a cup of wine, made the b'rakhah, and gave it to them, saying, "All of you, drink from it! For this is my blood, which ratifies the New Covenant, my blood shed on behalf of many, so that they may have their sins forgiven. I tell you, I will not drink this `fruit of the vine' again until the day I drink new wine with you in my Father's Kingdom." (Matthew 26:27-29)
Also he took a cup of wine, made the b'rakhah, and gave it to them; and they all drank. 24 He said to them, "This is my blood, which ratifies the New Covenant, my blood shed on behalf of many people. Yes! I tell you, I will not drink this `fruit of the vine' again until the day I drink new wine in the Kingdom of God." (Mark 14:23-25)
He did the same with the cup after the meal, saying, "This cup is the New Covenant, ratified by my blood, which is being poured out for you. (Luke 22:20)
Yeshua ended the seder by singing "hallel" with his disciples: "Hallel" refers to Psalms 113-118, which are recited after the seder, followed by Psalm 136, after which they would typically drink the fourth cup of wine.
After singing the Hallel, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26)
We can clearly see that not only did Yeshua participate in a very traditional Passover Seder with his disciples, but it is the Passover Seder that was commanded by Yeshua to be done in his memory. Breaking matzah and drinking of the cup of redemption each spring during the week of unleavened bread is the prescribed and preferred way for disciples of Yeshua to celebrate and remember all that our Messiah has done for us. We also know from scripture that we will even celebrate the Passover in the Kingdom after the Messiah returns, only this time the emphasis will be on the fourth cup, the cup of praise.
Chag Sameach Pesach!