In this study the following are to be considered:
What breaking matzah cannot do. p.1.
Why is breaking matzah so important? p.1.
Warning against improper taking. p.2.
References and credits. p.4.
Breaking Matzah
“So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to Yahuah throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.” (Exod. 12:4). The first Pesach was celebrated in Egypt before the Angel of Death passed by each and every house that had the sacrificial lamb’s blood spread over the door posts. Therefore, sacrifice had to come before salvation. The Yisra`elites were commanded to observe this night perpetually.
“He said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Pesach with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of Yahuah.’” (Luke 22:15, 16). The Master and His disciples celebrated Pesach in accordance with Yahuah’s commandment. It was with the strongest desire that the Master wanted to share THIS particular Pesach. The Master had celebrated over thirty previous Pesach meals and probably at least three with His disciples. There will have been over 1400 other Pesachs. Yet it was THIS particular Pesach above all other Pesach meals that the Master had so eagerly awaited.
“For I received from the Master that which also I delivered to you, that the Master Yahusha on the night in which He was betrayed took matzah. When He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘Take, eat. This is my Body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.’” (1 Cor. 11:23, 24). The bread that was used here was matzah (unleavened bread). “Seven days shall you eat matzah; even the first day you shall put away yeast out of your houses…”(Exod. 12:15). Yahuah had commanded the Yisra’elites to remove all leaven or rising agents. Leaven was a ‘type’ of sin and had to be removed from all the buildings. As a ‘type’ for the Messiah, as He was without sin, matzah is the perfect representation.
“He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, ‘All of you drink it, for this is my Blood of the Renewed Covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.’” (Matt. 26:27, 28). The wine used here was a ‘type’ of the Messiah’s blood but any dark red liquid could be used such as blackcurrant juice, grape juice or wine.
It cannot be stressed enough that:
(i) the matzah and wine are NOT the actual Body and Blood of the Messiah, but only representations of these; of themselves they are of little value but the value lies in the faith in what they represent.
(ii) breaking matzah does NOT save, but is done because we are saved and invited to share in this blessing.
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is not it a communion of the blood of Messiah? The matzah which we break, is not it a communion of the body of Messiah? Because we, who are many, are one matzah, one body; for we all partake of the one Matzah.” (1 Cor. 10:16, 17).
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Why is Breaking Matzah so vital?
“They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of matzah, and prayer.” (Acts 2:42). Breaking Matzah is one of the four foundations of the early assemblies: bible discussion, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer.
“Yahuah is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Yahusha the Messiah, our Master.” (1 Cor. 1:9). It is a means of celebrating fellowship with the Messiah. It is done as a memorial to Messiah’s sacrifice for us and with one another and Sha’ul (Paul) tells us to do this often.
“In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.’” (1 Cor. 11:25). Not only are Believers to call to mind what the Messiah had accomplished at Golgotha, but they are exhorted to recall all the teachings of Scripture that look forward to the promises. At the evening of the initial Pesach, all Yisra`elites had to eat unleavened bread. This was due to the removing of all leaven from the house and there was no time to prove or bake the bread because of the imminence of their deliverance/salvation (MacDonald 2016).
“But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matt. 26:29). “He said to me, ‘Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ He said to me, ‘These are true words of Yahuah.’” (Rev. 19:9). It is also done as a ‘type’ of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, a dress rehearsal.
It is important to note that the first and subsequent Pesach Seders required a lamb to be sacrificed and then eaten at the meal. The sacrifice could only be carried out in the Temple.
When the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, all sacrifices stopped. In order to carry out the commandment to celebrate Pesach, Jewish leaders had to substitute matzah for the lamb, probably ‘borrowed’ from the first Believers in the Messiah.
WARNING!
“For as often as you eat this matzah and drink this cup, you proclaim the Master’s death until He comes. Therefore, whoever eats this matzah or drinks the Master’s cup in a manner unworthy of the Master will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Master. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the matzah, and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not discern the Master’s body. For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep.” (1 Cor. 11:26-30). Rav Sha’ul gives a stout warning to those about to take part in the Breaking of Matzah. #G2605 καταγγέλλω ka-tang-gelo is translated in this passage as proclaim but is used to denote to preach or announce. It is followed by what is to be announced and it is that the Messiah will return. This is a mini form of the Good News: Messiah died for people’s sins but will be coming back declaring His Resurrection.
#G370 ἀναξίως a-nax-ee-os unworthily, without reverence, is used to describe how some people were Breaking Matzah. It was not looked upon as a solemn act in memory of the vicarious sacrifice of Messiah for Mankind but the sacrifice was taken too lightly, ignorant or dismissive of the significance of what they were doing.
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#G1381 δοκιμάζω dok-ee-mad-zo to examine or scrutinise so as to prove genuine. Sha`ul instructions for partakers is to closely examine the motives behind why they are taking the matzah and wine.
“Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.” (Matt. 6:12). “Do not speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.” (James 4:11). “Do not judge, And you will not be judged. Do not condemn, And you will not be condemned. Set free, And you will be set free.” (Luke 6:37). In these three example passages, it can be shown how not to approach the Master’s Table. Believers are called first to forgive others as we are conscious of the un-repayable debt we owe the Master. Believers are called not to speak out against a fellow Believer in the context of murmuring or slandering them and certainly not to judge them as there is only one Judge.
“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matt. 5:23, 24).” The Master’s Table is a type of the Temple altar upon which the sacrificial Lamb was slain. A Believers offering is a heart of thanksgiving. How often is this memorial rushed? The emblems are taken, ate and drank as quick as it is to say these words. How unworthy is this act? Each and every time the matzah is taken, it is a memorial as to the battered Body of the Master and the Believer should meditate upon what it has accomplished before it is eaten. Likewise, each and every time the wine is taken, it is a memorial as to the shedding of the
sacrificial Blood and every Believer should meditate upon what it has accomplished before it is drank. There should then not be a dry eye amongst any Believer who sheds a tear of joy and thanksgiving in knowing the certainty of salvation.
“For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Set Apart: I dwell in the high and set apart place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isa. 57:15). “Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16). Believers must be aware of the fact that we are called to approach the Table with a boldness knowing our Salvation but only on the basis of what was done for us by the Master and nothing of our own work.
In all these passages, the inference is that the various inspired writers are addressing Believers because it is only by knowing Salvation through the Master’s sacrifice that Breaking of Matzah makes any sense.
Therefore, it is encumberant upon non-Believers to examine themselves and pass by the broken Body (Matzah) and the poured-out Blood (wine) until they know the reality of
Salvation. There must be no stigma or questioning looks by Believers when other Believers do not take up the emblems.
All Believers are priests as this is attested to many times in Scripture. “‘Let your priests be clothed with righteousness. Let your set apart ones shout for joy!’ ‘Her priests I will also clothe with salvation. Her set apart ones will shout aloud for joy.’” (Psa. 139:9,16). In v9, the Psalmist offers up a prayer on behalf of the priests. In v16, Yahuah answers the prayer by stating the priests will indeed be clothed with righteousness UPON SALVATION.
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“In His days Yahudah shall be saved, and Yisra`el shall dwell safely; and this is His name by which He shall be called: Yahuah tsidqenuw (sid-kay-noo, Yahuah our
righteousness).” (Jer 23:6). We should be shouting out aloud for the joy of our salvation. Take a look at the whole of Jer. 23. Notice how pastors (shepherds) will destroy Yahuah’s flock (Believers) and cause us to be scattered? How false teachings will arise through prophets and priests? Then Yahuah will gather in His sheep and bring true pastors to tend them (although I do not know much about Pastor Prince, we will take your advice and see what he has to say). “Behold, the days come, saysYahuah tsidqenuw that I will raise to Dawid a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” (Jer. 23:5)
Is this not the reason that we are to Break Matzah, to hold as a memorial to the Master’s broken Body and His sacrificial Blood UNTIL HE RETURNS, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Messiah’s death until He comes.” (1 Cor. 11:26)?
“He [Yahusha] said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Pesach with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of Yahuah… for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of Yahuah comes’” (Luke 22:15, 16, 18). “I will greatly rejoice in Yahuah, my soul shall be joyful in my `Elohiym; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks Himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isa. 61:10). “He [Yahusha] said to me, ‘Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ He [Yahusha] said to me, ‘These are true words of Yahuah.’” (Rev 19.9). The other great truth about Breaking Matzah, is that it anticipates the consummation of all history when the Messiah takes His Bride unto Himself.
Yahuah bless you and keep you,
Yahuah make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you,
Yahuah lift up His face toward you and give you peace.
All glory be to Yahuah,
Ameyn.
References and Credits
In using these references, it is in no way agreeing to or condoning the theological viewpoint of the authors.
MacDonald S. (2016) The S.O.S. A Handmaid’s Guide to the Apocalypse, Xlibris,
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First Generation Assembly 