The Sacred Assemblies of the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Resurrection Day 2023

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Lk 22:14–15

In Accordance with the earnest command of Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago, the Sacred Assembly of the Passover was held at the Church of God in 175 countries on the evening of April 4 (the 14th day of the first month by the sacred calendar). On the next day on April 5 (the 15th day of the first month by the sacred calendar), the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Day of Resurrection on April 9 (the day after the first Sabbath following the Feast of Unleavened Bread) were celebrated, according to the regulations recorded in the Bible.

The Sacred Assembly of the Passover: The Right to Become God’s Children, Promised Through the Precious Blood of Christ

Through the law of the Old Testament, God showed His plan to save mankind through the sacrifice of Jesus represented as the Lamb. At the time of the Exodus, 3,500 years ago, the Israelites slaughtered lambs as God had commanded, and put the lambs’ blood on the sides and tops of the doorframes to keep the Passover, so that they could be saved from the horrible plague—which brought destruction upon the firstborn, and be freed from long slavery. This shows that all humans, who are slaves to sin, will be freed from sin and saved through the blood of Christ (Ex 12:5–14; 1 Pe 1:18–19).

The members throughout the world, who had been preaching the truth of the new covenant diligently under the same goal of sharing the blessing of salvation, which God freely grants, with all mankind, celebrated the Passover with joy, along with their loved family, friends, and neighbors.

At the Sacred Assembly of the Passover held in the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple on the evening of April 4, Mother gave sincere thanks to Father who prepared the long-term administration of redemption according to the Old and New Testaments for His children who had no way to escape judgment due to their sins from heaven, and came to this earth and established the new covenant by sacrificing Himself. Mother also earnestly prayed that all the children would lead many souls to salvation by preaching the message of salvation with the boundless love they received from Father.

The Passover worship service is composed of two parts: the Foot-Washing Ceremony and the Holy Supper Ceremony. The Foot-Washing Ceremony was set by Jesus washing the feet of His disciples before the Holy Supper (Jn 13:1–10). Mother, too, washed the members’ feet by lowering Herself. Then, the members washed one another’s feet, being reminded of the will of Heavenly Father and Mother who taught humility.

Through the Holy Supper Ceremony, General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol explained the importance of the Passover by saying, “It is the most blessed news and the truth to all people who lost the right to be of the heavenly family due to their sins that they can be related to God by blood again.” He emphasized the Passover and said, “No one can be saved nor become God’s children without keeping the Passover. So Jesus eagerly desired to keep the Passover for our sake.” He emphasized the Passover once again and said, “Let’s give thanks to God for giving us the right to become His children through the Passover, and preach the gospel diligently so that even those who have not yet heard the truth of salvation can achieve salvation” (Heb 8:5; 12:9; 2 Co 6:17–18; Gal 4:26; Jn 6:53–54; Mt 26:17–28; Eph 2:11–19).

While the members ate bread and drank wine, giving thanks to God for His mercy to save sinners even by giving up His life, the Passover night was filled with the love of Christ more and more.

The Sacred Assembly of the Feast of Unleavened Bread: Following the Path of Christ with Longing for Eternity

On April 5, the day after the Passover, the members attended the Sacred Assembly of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, commemorating Christ’s suffering by fasting, as stated, “The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast” (Mt 9:15).

The Feast of Unleavened Bread was established by God to remind the Israelites, who were liberated from slavery, of the hardships they had gone through until they crossed the Red Sea in the pursuit of the Egyptian army. After keeping the Passover, Jesus was arrested by Roman soldiers, interrogated, and tormented all night long, and on this day He fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament by being crucified on the cross (Ex 12:17; Mt 27:1–50).

On the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Mother gave thanks to Father for enduring all the suffering on the cross with the determination to lead His children who are in the chains of sin and death to heaven. Mother also prayed that Her children would have the same love given by Father in their hearts, so that all of them would love one another and save many people by spreading Father’s love to dying souls without hearing the message of salvation.

General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol emphasized that Jesus’ sacrifice is the footsteps we should follow in, and said, “Even if there are pain and trials on the way to heaven, let us think of Jesus who overcame extreme suffering in our place and overcome them.” As for the attitude of faith that we should have in front of hardships, he said, “When we have the longing for eternity like the saints of the early Church who endured and overcame persecution and tribulation with hope and conviction for the eternal kingdom of heaven, we can also overcome temporary hardships that we experience on this earth and we can be joyful always and give thanks in all circumstances.” He also said, “Let’s rid of all our sins, such as pride and arrogance, and devote ourselves to the gospel, thinking of the blessings and rewards of heaven that will shine with glory forever and ever” (Lk 23:33–43; Mt 26:62–68;, 27:27–31; 1 Pe 2:19–25; 5:10; Ec 1:1–8; 3:9–11; 2 Co 4:16–17; Heb 11:33–40).

After the worship service, Mother comforted the members who had participated in Christ’s suffering by fasting, and said, “Father took pity on those who persecuted Him and made efforts to save them. He only showed mercy during His ministry. Let’s save many people with Father’s love and mercy.”

The Sacred Assembly of the Resurrection Day: Strengthening Faith Through the Hope of Resurrection and Transformation

The Day of Resurrection is the day when Jesus was resurrected from the tomb three days after His death on the cross, and gave the conviction of resurrection and the hope of heaven to mankind who cannot escape death. The Day of Resurrection is always Sunday, as the day after the first Sabbath following the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Mk 16:9). In the Old Testament, it was called the Day of Firstfruits, which is also derived from the work of Moses: On the day after the Passover (the Feast of Feast of Unleavened Bread), the Israelites, who had left Egypt but been chased by the Egyptian army, crossed the Red Sea and safely landed, and it became the origin of the Day of Firstfruits. In the Old Testament times, on the day after the first Sabbath following the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is the Day of Firstfruits, the first grain they harvest was offered to God. Jesus fulfilled this feast by being resurrected as the firstfruits among those who had fallen asleep (Ex 14:22–31; 34:22; Lev 23:9–14; 1 Co 15:20).

On Sunday, April 9, the members attended the Sacred Assembly of the Resurrection Day, imagining the glory and joy of the resurrection. Mother offered a prayer of thanks to Father who gave His children the conviction and hope of the resurrection, and earnestly asked the members who celebrated the Resurrection Day to resurrect their faith, passion, and love, so that they could share the joy and blessing of heaven with many people.

General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol explained the meaning of the resurrection: “The unprecedented event of Jesus’ resurrection has given us confidence that our lowly body will become the glorious image of God, and that our temporary life on this earth will be transformed into an eternal and spiritual life in heaven.” He also said, “Jesus has asked those who believe in His resurrection to become His witnesses and preach the gospel to Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Let’s preach the truth of the new covenant not only to our loved ones, such as our family, friends, and co-workers, but also to all people around the world, and share our hope and blessings of a glorious life that we will be given forever through resurrection and transformation” (Phil 3:20–21; Mt 28:1–7; Lk 24:1–9; 1 Co 15:49–58; 1 Th 4:13–18; Heb 11:35–38; Jn 20:19–29; Ac 1:6–9).

On that day, the members broke the bread of the Resurrection Day according to the example of Jesus who appeared to the two disciples who were on their way to Emmaus and opened their spiritual eyes by breaking the blessed bread (Lk 24:13–31).

After completing all the worship services, Mother said, “Studying the words of the Bible, keeping the commandments, loving one another, and following the teachings of God are the ways to be transformed into God’s image.” She also gave the words of blessings, “Let us all participate in the joy of resurrection and transformation, which is being prepared by God.”

The members all around the world reverently kept the feasts, and made a firm determination to love mankind by sharing the blessing of salvation and the hope of heaven contained in the feast.

“I feel that I’ve become even closer to God while keeping the Passover, which contains great blessings that cannot be compared with anything else in the world. Just as God has taken on pity us and saved us, I will practice the highest level of love that leads others to life”. Kevin Kauffmann from Berlin, Germany

“While keeping the feast, I felt sorry for those who do not know this truth yet. I will deliver the blessing of salvation to my neighbors to repay God who gave me salvation freely even though I am a sinner from heaven”. Marta Londoño from Medellín, Colombia

“I’m grateful and happy to be able to keep the seven feasts in three times in this age in Egypt, where the power of the Passover was first displayed 3,500 years ago. After meeting God, I realized the purpose and meaning of life. I want to spread this wonderful truth to the whole world quickly, and I hope that all people will have the same joy as I feel”. Adhar Abiem from Cairo, Egypt