Jesus' Last Supper was actually a Jewish Passover.

Max Raev of Jews for Jesus will re-create the traditional Passover service and explain how it foreshadowed Jesus' death and resurrection in a presentation called "Christ in the Passover" at Greenwood Community Church on Friday, April 14 at 12 p.m. Max Raev will set a table with items traditionally used at the Passover meal and detail their spiritual significance. He will also explain the connection between the events of the first Passover in Egypt and the redemption that Jesus accomplished, as well as the deep bond between the ancient Passover feast and the Christian Communion celebration today.

Raev grew up in Belarus, the son of a Jewish father and a Gentile mother. When he was six years old, his parents went abroad to work for a year, and Raev lived with his grandparents. His grandfather was the first one to introduce him to Jesus. But when his parents returned and he started living with them again, he had no one to guide his faith matters, and he lived as an unbeliever. After high school, Raev moved by himself to Israel. While serving in the Israeli military, Raev met Sheer, his wife, who was attending a Messianic congregation.  Raev started attending the congregation and reading the New Testament, and he could not put it down. When he realized what Jesus had done for him, he gave his life to Him. He now serves at the Tel Aviv branch of Jews for Jesus as an outreach worker trainee in children’s and young adult ministry.

Jews for Jesus has presented “Christ in the Passover" at over 38,000 churches. It has been enthusiastically received by Christians who appreciate learning more about the Jewish backgrounds of their faith. Moishe Rosen, who founded Jews for Jesus in 1973, has also co-written the book, Christ in the Passover, with his wife, Ceil. This seminal work includes a look at Passover in ancient times and how it is practiced today. It will be available after the presentation. Also available will be a DVD of the Christ in the Passover presentation with David Brickner, the executive director of Jews for Jesus, officiating. Brickner, a fifth-generation Jewish believer in Jesus, succeeded Rosen as executive director in 1996. Brickner has kept Jews for Jesus on the cutting edge as the ministry has expanded and established branches in 11 countries, including the United States, Brazil, Israel, Russia, France and South Africa.

"We exist to make the Messiahship of Jesus an unavoidable issue to our Jewish people worldwide," Brickner said. "There are still a few that haven't heard of us."

Max Raev will be happy to answer questions after the presentation. Call 737-1230 or visit www.gccp.org for more information. There is no admission charge.