tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14696592.post2291843649351605271..comments2024-03-20T17:04:44.789-05:00Comments on Westing Peacefully: Jesus Wasn't Always "Biblical"Kent Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04419374220761564120noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14696592.post-1001975202707108222008-02-22T10:10:00.000-06:002008-02-22T10:10:00.000-06:00Hale, the idea you touch on — that it is WHY...Hale, the idea you touch on — that it is WHY we do things that matters, moreso than HOW — is actually pretty right on, here. And there was a very specific reason for Jesus' reclining at the Last Supper.<BR/><BR/>One of the things that Jesus did extremely well was to take a custom, tradition, ritual, etc., which had meaning to the Jews, and adopt it, giving it even deeper meaning on new levels.<BR/><BR/>To an extent, this is what Jesus did by reclining. You see, in the Roman Empire, reclining while eating is a sign of freedom. Only free people reclined — slaves and servants did not. By reclining, and having his disciples do the same, Jesus is delivering a clear message: You are free.<BR/><BR/>What he's done here is to take a tradition that already represented freedom — from slavery, bondage, and captivity — and bring it full circle. At the same time, he is busy injecting new meaning into the rest of the Passover Seder — or perhaps it would be more correct to say he was <I>revealing</I> new meaning, since it can be argued that the the symbolism of the Seder, as it relates to Christ, was always there, prophetically.<BR/><BR/>Notice, in the Seder, there are four cups. The third, the one taken after the meal, is the Cup of Redemption. It is this cup that Jesus uses for communion.<BR/><BR/>The matza, as well, is hugely symbolic. There are three pieces (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), and early in the meal, it is the middle piece (Son) that is <B>broken</B> and hidden away (this is called the <I>afikomen</I>). Later, the children seek out and find the <I>afikomen</I>, representing the resurrection. It is this piece of unleavened bread that Christ used for communion.<BR/><BR/>Furthermore, the matza represents Christ in that it is without leaven (sinless), striped (lashings), pierced (nails in hands and feet, wound in side), broken (his death), hidden (buried), and brought back (resurrection).<BR/><BR/>This is only part of the symbolism found in the seder, prophetic symbolism which Christ fulfilled, thereby revealing a whole new level of meaning in the Seder.<BR/><BR/>Given this, it is only fitting that in a ritual ceremony that essentially represents Jesus life, purpose, and message, he should communicate to his followers that they are free by having them act like a free men and recline.<BR/><BR/>As for leaving the house, I don't know about that one. There was certainly a reason, and it may simply have been that the time had come and he had to fulfill his purpose.<BR/><BR/>Anyhow... found this via Google Reader, shared by Nathan, and thought I'd share some insights I had into the Messianic Seder. Maybe that helps in some way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14696592.post-18337158380002843742008-02-01T20:26:00.000-06:002008-02-01T20:26:00.000-06:00Wow, so this is a challenging thought. I do think ...Wow, so this is a challenging thought. I do think that it reinforces the idea that in many cases it's not the WAY we do things, but WHY we do things that's important. The question that's raised in my mind is this: What's the distinguishing factor between a "law" who's spirit we respect, and moral "code" that we must obey?Nathan R. Halehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17300641414049198794noreply@blogger.com