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Holy Week Seder

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Our Jewish friends gather for the Passover Seder, known to Christians as Jesus’ Last Supper. Every Easter, our family celebrates a Holy Week-inspired Seder (modified from Heather Craw at PowerofMoms.com ) to remember Jesus’ death and resurrection. As custom dictates, we invite your family to join our Seder table.

ITEMS YOU’LL NEED:

PER PLACE SETTING:

PRAYER & CANDLE LIGHTING: “Praised are you, Father, Holy Spirit and Son. We remember your death and resurrection, the good news for all people. Amen.”

BIBLE: Mark 14:12-25, John 3:15

SPOKEN: “On MAUNDY THURSDAY, Jesus ate the Last Supper, the Jewish Seder recalling the story of Moses and the Israelites, with his disciples. The bread was a symbol of his broken body on the cross.”

SEDER: Break matza; eat a small piece.

SPOKEN: Other foods symbolized Jesus’ ancestors’ bondage in Egypt in the days of Moses. The charoset reminds us of the bricks and mortar made by Hebrew slaves.”

SEDER: Scoop charoset onto matza; eat.


SPOKEN: “The bitter herbs cause us to cry, recalling the bitterness of bondage.”SEDER: Scoop horseradish onto matza; eat.SPOKEN: “Jesus blessed the wine, a symbol of His blood, shed for all mankind.”SEDER: Sip grape juice.BIBLE: John 13:14-15SPOKEN: “Jesus washed His disciples’ feet.”SEDER: Wash one anothers’ feet.

BIBLE: Luke 22:4-6, 39-44

SPOKEN: “Jesus was betrayed by his friend, Judas, to the chief priests. Jesus prayed in the garden for G-d to take the cup of His suffering. His sweat was like blood.”

SEDER: Sip the cup of bitter cranberry juice.

BIBLE: Matthew 26:75

SPOKEN: “On GOOD FRIDAY, Jesus told Peter that before the rooster crows, Peter would deny him three times. The egg is a symbol of the rooster’s crow and Peter’s salty tears.”

SEDER: Dip egg in salt water; eat.

BIBLE: Matthew 27:24-54, Isaiah 53

SPOKEN: “Jesus was on trial. Pontius Pilate delivered him to be crucified. He was beaten, mocked and hung on a cross with a crown of thorns on his head. One of the guards gave Jesus a sponge of vinegar to drink.”

SEDER: Dip matza in vinegar; eat. 

SPOKEN: “The sky turned dark for three hours. When Jesus died, the earth shook. The veil of the temple that separated men from G-d was torn in two.”

SEDER: Tear the napkin.

BIBLE: Matthew 27:57-61

SPOKEN: “Jesus was buried in Joseph of Arimathaea’s tomb. The marshmallow is a symbol of Jesus’ body; the crescent roll symbolizes his burial clothes and tomb.”

SEDER: Wrap marshmallows with cinnamon in crescent rolls; bake according to crescent roll directions. Wait in silence, reflecting on the divine forsakenness and doubt the disciples felt.

BIBLE: Matthew 28:1-9

SPOKEN: “On the morning of RESURRECTION SUNDAY, Mary Magdalene encountered an angel at the tomb. The burial stone was rolled away, and Jesus’ body wasn’t there. ‘He is risen!’ the angel said. And Jesus appeared, raised from death to life. This is the good news of the Gospel, that Jesus overcame death so that the world could have life.

“He is risen!”

RESPONSE: “He is risen, indeed!”

SEDER: Enjoy the empty Resurrection Rolls, symbols of the empty tomb.


Wendy Connelly is a mother of two and graduate student at St. Paul School of Theology, Leawood.

 
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