The One Celebration

This observance was introduced by Jesus the day he died. He had commemorated the Jewish feast of the Passover with his apostles. Then he passed some of the unleavened Passover bread to them, saying: “This means my body which is to be given in your behalf.” Next, Jesus passed a cup of wine, saying: “This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in your behalf.” He also said: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:24-26) This observance is called the Lord’s Evening Meal, or the Memorial. It is the only celebration that Jesus commanded his followers to observe.

Many churches claim that they hold this observance in conjunction with all their other feasts, but most commemorate it differently from the way Jesus commanded. Perhaps the most noteworthy difference is the frequency of the celebration. Some churches celebrate it monthly, weekly, even daily. Is this what Jesus intended when he told his followers: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me”? The New English Bible says: “Do this as a memorial of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25) How often is a memorial or an anniversary observed? Usually, just once a year.

Remember, too, that Jesus initiated this observance and then died on the Jewish calendar date of Nisan 14.a That was the day of the Passover, a festival reminding the Jews of the great deliverance they had experienced in Egypt in the 16th century B.C.E. At that time, the sacrifice of a lamb resulted in the salvation of the Jewish firstborn, whereas Jehovah’s angel struck down all the firstborn of Egypt.​—Exodus 12:21, 24-27.

How does this help our understanding? Well, the Christian apostle Paul wrote: “Christ our passover has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7) Jesus’ death was a greater Passover sacrifice, giving mankind the opportunity for a far grander salvation. For Christians, therefore, the Memorial of Christ’s death has replaced the Jewish Passover.​—John 3:16.

The Passover was an annual celebration. Logically, then, so is the Memorial. The Passover​—the day Jesus died—​always fell on the 14th day of the Jewish month Nisan. Hence, Christ’s death should be memorialized once a year on the calendar day that corresponds to Nisan 14.