For several years at my church I have led a Maundy Thursday gathering and service for Passover and the Last Supper. I designed this layout. While elements are taken from the post‑70 AD Seder meal, many theologians believe that a proto‑Seder (an earlier form of the Passover meal with symbolic actions, blessings, and shared foods) was already practiced in Jesus’ time. In other words, although the formal Seder liturgy developed later, the patterns, symbols, and actions that shaped it were already present in Jewish life, and Jesus would have participated in them.
What we do here is not an attempt to recreate the Last Supper exactly, but to engage with the closest living tradition that reflects the kind of meal Jesus shared with His disciples. For Christians, this becomes a meaningful way to enter the story — honouring Jewish roots, traditions, and our shared inheritance while recognising how Jesus fulfilled and transformed these symbols in the Last Supper and in Communion. Its wonderful and reflective evening. Please find the preparation guide here.
1. Welcome
Welcome everyone.
We gather as a community of faith to reflect on Passover, Last Supper, and the actions that Jesus and his disciples did on Maundy Thursday. This meal serves as a bridge between the Jewish tradition and the fulfilment of God’s promise in Jesus Christ, through communion. As we partake in this sacred meal, let us open our hearts to the meanings behind each element and reflect on their significance—for the Jewish people, for Jesus and his disciples, and for us as Christians today.
You don’t need to get everything ‘right’—this is not a performance. This is a space to remember, to give thanks, and to meet with God.
Opening Jewish-style Prayer: "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season. Amen."
2. Lighting the candle
Jewish families begin Passover by lighting candles, welcoming the festival and the presence of God into their homes. As we light our candles, we remember that Jesus is the light of the world, and that the darkness has not overcome Him.
3. Pouring the water and wine (symbolic roles)
The First Cup of Water
Traditionally, roles symbolise different aspects of God’s work: Women pour the water—symbol of purity, life, and cleansing; Men pour the wine—symbol of covenant, sacrifice, and strength. If you live alone, or prefer not to follow these roles, simply pour both yourself.
The water is for hand washing. The act of washing is connected to the idea of purity and readiness to partake in the Seder's symbolic foods. Tonight, we adapt this by drinking water, shifting to internal preparation—a physical act symbolising spiritual cleansing.
The First Cup of Wine
Men pour the first cup of wine or grape juice for themselves and others.
Traditionally known as the "Cup of Sanctification," this symbolises the first of the four promises God made to the Israelites in Egypt: "I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians" (Exodus 6:6a). This cup serves as a reminder of God’s deliverance and His power to set His people apart as holy. As we drink, we reflect on God's work in history, delivering His people from oppression and the bondage of sin. Sanctification is an ongoing process, calling us to align our hearts with God’s will and walk in grace.
4. Karpas (Parsley or Celery) with Salt Water
Everyone takes a piece of Karpas and dips it into salt water before eating.
Karpas represents renewal and hope. In Jewish tradition, it recalls the hyssop used by the Israelites to mark their doorposts with lamb’s blood during the first Passover (Exodus 12:22), setting them apart for God’s deliverance.
The salt water recalls the tears shed by the Israelites in their suffering and the sorrow that comes from humanity’s separation from God. When Christians dip the karpas, it becomes a moment to remember Jesus’ mission to enter that bitterness and transform it with hope. As you taste the salt, let it bring to mind the pain of oppression and the weight of sin — yet also the promise of deliverance. God turns tears into joy and bitterness into redemption. Let this simple act awaken gratitude for His saving work and renew your desire to walk in His grace.
5. Passover story and first readings
We’re going to hear the story of the first Passover—the night God brought His people out of slavery in Egypt.
– Exodus 12:1–14 — The Passover instructions
– Exodus 12:21–28 — The people prepare
– Exodus 12:29–42 — The night of deliverance
In this story, God sees His people, hears their cries, and acts in judgment and mercy. A lamb is sacrificed, blood marks the doors, and death passes over. Passover becomes a story of liberation, judgment, mercy, and belonging. God confronts Egypt with plagues until Pharaoh finally releases His people.
6. Dayenu — “It would have been enough”
We’re now going to join in a very old Jewish tradition called Dayenu—DAYENU—which means, ‘It would have been enough.'
Part 1
If God had only brought us out of Egypt…
[All:] Dayenu — it would have been enough.
Part 2
If God had only executed justice against the Egyptians…
[All:] Dayenu — it would have been enough.
Part 3
If God had only parted the Red Sea…
[All:] Dayenu — it would have been enough.
Part 4
If God had only led us through on dry ground…
[All:] Dayenu — it would have been enough.
Part 5
If God had only provided for us in the wilderness…
[All:] Dayenu — it would have been enough.
Part 6
If God had only given us the Sabbath…
[All:] Dayenu — it would have been enough.
Part 7
If God had only brought us to Mount Sinai…
[All:] Dayenu — it would have been enough.
Part 8
If God had only given us the commandments…
[All:] Dayenu — it would have been enough.
Part 9
If God had only brought us into the Promised Land…
[All:] Dayenu — it would have been enough.
Part 10
If God had only built the Temple for us…
[All:] Dayenu — it would have been enough.
Each of these acts—on its own—would have been enough reason to worship, to trust, and to belong to God. Yet, He did all of them.
7. The Unleavened Bread (Matzo)
Matzo, the unleavened bread, symbolises the Israelites’ hurried departure from Egypt and their deliverance. Known as 'lechem oni,' or 'poor man’s bread,' it represents affliction and humility. In Jewish tradition, breaking the matzo includes setting aside the afikoman, which is hidden and retrieved later, signifying hope and future redemption.
As part of the Seder, the afikoman is eaten at the end of the meal. For Christians, it becomes a meaningful moment in communion, inviting us to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and the promise of new life through Him.
Break the bread in half, then half again. Set one piece aside as the afikoman. Keep another for the Charoset. With the remaining piece, taste the matzo and reflect on its dual symbolism—affliction and redemption—and on the Israelites’ haste and trust in God as they fled Egypt.
8. Maror (Bitter Herbs, e.g., Horseradish)
The Maror symbolises the harshness and bitterness of slavery under Pharaoh's rule. Their lives were filled with suffering, anguish, and oppression, as Exodus says: "They made their lives bitter with harsh labor..." (Exodus 1:14). The sharp taste of the herbs becomes a tangible reminder of that pain.
For Christians, Maror reflects the bitterness of sin and the brokenness it brings. On the cross, Jesus bore the full weight of suffering—physical and spiritual—crying out, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' (Matthew 27:46). Through His sacrifice, bitterness is transformed into redemption, offering hope and restoration.
As we eat the bitter herbs, we hold this duality: the reality of suffering and the hope of deliverance. It reminds us that God sees us in our darkest moments and brings freedom and new life.
As you taste the bitterness, let it ground you in the tears of the Israelites and the immense cost of Jesus’ sacrifice. In that bitterness, find hope in the One who turns sorrow into joy and brokenness into healing. Let this moment deepen your gratitude for His unwavering love.
9. Charoset (Sweet Apple, Nuts, Wine, and Spices Mix)
Charoset is a sweet mixture symbolising the mortar used by the Israelites during their forced labour in Egypt. Its sweetness reminds us that even in hardship, hope endures. For the Israelites, that hope rested on God’s promise: “I will free you from being slaves to them” (Exodus 6:6b), a declaration of deliverance.
For Christians, Charoset reflects the love of Jesus—a love that meets suffering with redemption. Its sweetness mirrors the joy and hope found in His sacrifice. Though Jesus endured deep suffering on the cross, His self‑giving love brought comfort and salvation, fulfilling His words: “Greater love has no one than this…” (John 15:13).
Take the piece of bread set aside earlier (not the afikoman) and dip it into the charoset. This simple act echoes the shared dishes of a Passover meal. John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus dipped a morsel and handed it to Judas (John 13:26), a gesture of table fellowship that became the setting for both betrayal and unfathomable love.
As you taste the sweet charoset, hold its layered meaning. It recalls the Israelites labor and oppression, yet its sweetness points to the hope of God’s promise. Even in hardship, God was already preparing deliverance. This also echoes the moment in the upper room when Jesus shared dipped bread — an act of fellowship that became both betrayal and unfathomable love. Let the charoset remind you that Christ enters human suffering—whether Israel’s in Egypt or ours in sin—with a love that transforms bitterness into hope. May its sweetness deepen your gratitude for God’s faithfulness and renew your desire to walk in that same love, even in times of struggle or sorrow.
10. Beitzah (Egg)
The egg, in Jewish tradition, symbolises mourning for the destruction of the Temple and the cycle of life—fragility and resilience, loss and renewal. Its unbroken shape reflects the ongoing rhythm of grief and restoration.
For Christians, the egg points to renewal and the promise of eternal life through Jesus’ victory over death. As He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). It becomes a sign of hope, directing us toward new life in Christ.
As you eat the egg, reflect on its dual meaning: mourning and renewal. Hold together the reality of loss and the promise of eternal life given through Jesus. The egg reminds us that life moves toward restoration—a symbol not only of what has been broken, but of what God will make new. May this moment deepen your hope in Christ’s resurrection and renew your faith in the life He gives.
11. The Second Cup of Wine
Men pour and serve the second cup.
The second cup represents deliverance, the second promise God made to the Israelites: “I will free you from being slaves to them” (Exodus 6:6b). It reminds us of God’s active intervention to rescue His people, breaking their chains and leading them into freedom.
12. The Last Supper
While we have reflected on these elements as Christians, this moment brings us to the heart of the Last Supper. In the Passover meal, a portion of the matzo—the afikoman—is broken, wrapped, hidden, and brought back at the end. Jesus knew this action and its meaning. He took this final piece of bread and used it to show His disciples what was about to happen to Him: broken, wrapped in the tomb, and brought back in resurrection.
(Luke 22:7–20; Matt. 26:17–30) Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said:
[All] “This is my body, broken for you.”
In the Passover meal, the final cup is the cup of deliverance. Jesus takes that symbol and gives it deeper meaning. He transforms it into a sign of freedom from bondage, sin, and death. In this moment, He unites the ancient story of liberation with His own mission of redemption.
He then took the cup and said:
[All] “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you.”
As you share the bread and drink the cup, hold together both stories: Israel’s journey from slavery into freedom, and the freedom Jesus secures through His sacrifice. Let this act draw you into gratitude for the love that breaks every chain and opens the way to new life.
[All eat the bread and drink the cup in silence.]
14. Your personal Dayenu to Jesus
We will go around each person and declare one thing we are grateful for, and that would have been enough for us. The remaining blessings are still blessings.
After each person declares, we say: Dayenu - it would have been enough. Please don’t feel like you have to, but please join in with the declaration.
15. Reflection on Darkness
Action: Turn off all lights, leaving only the candle lit.
The following words will be read. When the phrase “Jesus’ life was snuffed out” is spoken, all candles are extinguished.
As this service ends, we remember the moment when Jesus’ life was given for the world. The candle lit at the beginning symbolised His light among us. Though we know the story does not end here, we acknowledge the darkness that fell at the cross. The world mourned in silence, and we sit in the weight of that loss.
Just like this candle, Jesus’ life was snuffed out.
Action: All candles are extinguished.
The service ends with one minute of silence and darkness.
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