Holy Communion and the Afikomen
The origin and basis of Holy Communion is the Passover Meal, for in it we remember Christ our Passover Lamb, who was sacrificed for us. He fulfilled the prophetic picture of Passover, for by His Blood He released us from slavery to sin and from the dominion of the kingdom of darkness, and sets us free to live a new life with Him. Derek describes the original Passover in Exodus 12. The Passover Lamb provided 2 things: (1) the BLOOD, when applied, provided forgiveness for sin and protection from judgment, and (2) the FLESH, when eaten, provided physical healing for their bodies (Psalm 105:37). The type of Passover was fulfilled by Jesus who died as our Passover Lamb (1Cor 5:7). (1) He gave His BLOOD for us, to establish a New Covenant with God, providing forgiveness from sin and deliverance from Divine Judgment, and (2) He gave His FLESH to us, providing strength, health and life. In Communion, the WINE and the BREAD represents His BLOOD and His BODY (flesh) given for us. As there was healing in the Passover, so there is healing in Communion, which is the New Testament equivalent to the Passover Meal, for Jesus instituted Communion at a Passover Meal. At the Last Supper, Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper (Communion) as the Memorial Feast of the New Covenant in His Blood by saying: “DO THIS in REMEMBRANCE of Me” (Luke 22:19, 1Cor 11:23-26). He transformed the Passover Meal into its New Covenant fulfilment, showing how all its details were prophetic pictures of how He would fulfil the Passover through His death and resurrection.
Pastor Derek describes and demonstrates the detailed Order of Service for the Passover Meal, and relates it to Jesus' words and actions at the Last Supper. In particular he shows how the Afikomen provides a wonderful picture of the Gospel. The AFIKOMEN (representing the Son of God) is brought forth from the MATZA TOSH (the Godhead). Only the MIDDLE PIECE of the 3 pieces of bread (the Trinity) comes into manifestation (the AFIKOMEN), which represents CHRIST, the SON, coming forth out of God and revealed in human form, while the Father and Spirit remained invisible. The AFIKOMEN is a picture of Jesus: (1) UNLEAVENED BREAD (He is the SINLESS bread of life), (2) STRIPED, and (3) PIERCED. The AFIKOMEN was (1) BROKEN, signifying Jesus broken for us on the Cross – His DEATH (Luke 22:19a), and then it was (2) WRAPPED in a cloth, and hidden from sight (signifying His BURIAL). Later, the AFIKOMEN was brought forth from its hiding (burial) place. This symbolised Jesus appearing again, having been resurrected on the third day. Luke 22:19: “Jesus took BREAD (the AFIKOMEN = the resurrected Christ), gave THANKS, BLESSED it and BROKE it, and GAVE it to the disciples and said: “TAKE, EAT; this (AFIKOMEN) is My BODY, which is GIVEN for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” The Afikomen is eaten after its death, burial and resurrection, so in Communion the bread that we eat represents the risen Christ, who was blessed with every blessing on our behalf. Thus we partake of His blessed resurrection life. The Communion Bread is the Afikomen, representing the resurrection life of Christ, given to us. Jesus interpreted the Afikomen as Himself, risen from the dead and giving Himself to us to eat. When Jesus divided up (broke) the bread and gave it to the believers, this represented the resurrected Christ dividing, distributing and giving Himself to us to eat, saying: “I am the BREAD of LIFE” (John 6:35,48).
Then came the 3rd CUP of SALVATION: “He took the CUP, after supper saying: “This CUP is the New Covenant in My Blood, which is shed for you...Then He gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My Blood of the New Covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Luke 22:20, Matthew 26:27,28). This is the CUP of BLESSING that we drink at Communion (1Cor 10:16,17). Christ has GIVEN HIMSELF to us through His BLOOD and His RESURRECTION LIFE, and now it's up to us to EAT of His LIFE, and DRINK DEEPLY from His CUP of SALVATION and BLESSING.
Pastor Derek describes and demonstrates the detailed Order of Service for the Passover Meal, and relates it to Jesus' words and actions at the Last Supper. In particular he shows how the Afikomen provides a wonderful picture of the Gospel. The AFIKOMEN (representing the Son of God) is brought forth from the MATZA TOSH (the Godhead). Only the MIDDLE PIECE of the 3 pieces of bread (the Trinity) comes into manifestation (the AFIKOMEN), which represents CHRIST, the SON, coming forth out of God and revealed in human form, while the Father and Spirit remained invisible. The AFIKOMEN is a picture of Jesus: (1) UNLEAVENED BREAD (He is the SINLESS bread of life), (2) STRIPED, and (3) PIERCED. The AFIKOMEN was (1) BROKEN, signifying Jesus broken for us on the Cross – His DEATH (Luke 22:19a), and then it was (2) WRAPPED in a cloth, and hidden from sight (signifying His BURIAL). Later, the AFIKOMEN was brought forth from its hiding (burial) place. This symbolised Jesus appearing again, having been resurrected on the third day. Luke 22:19: “Jesus took BREAD (the AFIKOMEN = the resurrected Christ), gave THANKS, BLESSED it and BROKE it, and GAVE it to the disciples and said: “TAKE, EAT; this (AFIKOMEN) is My BODY, which is GIVEN for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” The Afikomen is eaten after its death, burial and resurrection, so in Communion the bread that we eat represents the risen Christ, who was blessed with every blessing on our behalf. Thus we partake of His blessed resurrection life. The Communion Bread is the Afikomen, representing the resurrection life of Christ, given to us. Jesus interpreted the Afikomen as Himself, risen from the dead and giving Himself to us to eat. When Jesus divided up (broke) the bread and gave it to the believers, this represented the resurrected Christ dividing, distributing and giving Himself to us to eat, saying: “I am the BREAD of LIFE” (John 6:35,48).
Then came the 3rd CUP of SALVATION: “He took the CUP, after supper saying: “This CUP is the New Covenant in My Blood, which is shed for you...Then He gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My Blood of the New Covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Luke 22:20, Matthew 26:27,28). This is the CUP of BLESSING that we drink at Communion (1Cor 10:16,17). Christ has GIVEN HIMSELF to us through His BLOOD and His RESURRECTION LIFE, and now it's up to us to EAT of His LIFE, and DRINK DEEPLY from His CUP of SALVATION and BLESSING.