How appropriate is a Seder meal in conjunction with Holy Communion?
The Seder–a ceremonial dinner which is held on the first evening of the Passover–can on occasion remind Christians of the Old Testament background and historical setting in which Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper (cf. pp. 5-6). At the same time the pastor should stress the distinctive theological meaning of the Lord’s Supper, for, while the meal probably occurred in the historical setting of the Seder, that of which the disciples partook was the very body and blood of the incarnate Lord. The new covenant had now replaced the old. NOTES AND CITATIONS: [1] Luther writes in his Large Catechism: “But outside the Christian church (that is, where the Gospel is not) there is no forgiveness, and hence no holiness. Therefore, all who seek to merit holiness through their works rather than through the Gospel and the forgiveness of sin have expelled and separated themselves from the church” (LC II, 56; cf. AC V). [2] “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and ga
