56 Preparation for the Passover

Jesus and all twelve apostles arrived at the upper room in the evening of Tuesday the 13th of Nisan. The meal was not to be eaten until after sunset, which made it Passover or the 14th of Nisan on the Jewish calendar. The meal had to be finished before midnight. According to the Mishnah tractate Pesahim 10, a Passover liturgy consisted of the recitation of the Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113–118). The actual meal was divided into four parts, each concluding with the drinking of a cup of wine. The family head first pronounced a blessing over the gathering. Then, in response to a annual ceremonial child’s question, “Why is this night different from other nights?” Then the father told the story of the Lord’s deliverance of the Nation Israel from bondage in Egypt. This is from Deuteronomy 26:5–9. Third, the father pronounced a benediction over the various foods that symbolized the bitter captivity in Egypt and both the hardships and blessings of the Exodus: unleavened bread, bitter herbs, greens, stewed fruit, and roast lamb. Family and guests were then invited to partake of the meal. Near midnight the feast concluded with the singing of Psalms 116–18 and the drinking of the fourth cup of wine