Today, April 3, 2015, at sunset, approximately 8:12 PM EST, begins the day corresponding to Nisan 14 in the Jewish calendar. This date has had great significance for the Jewish and Christian faiths for thousands of years. A literal understanding of the Bible tells us the following:
It was on Nisan 14 in 1943 BCE that Abraham and his family crossed the Euphrates river. On the same date on 1513 BCE, the first Passover was observed by the Israelites led by Moses. Jesus instituted the Memorial of his death, or the Last Supper, on this date in 33 CE. Each of these Biblical events established a covenant with God and displayed a degree of sacrifice. Abraham sacrificed the familiarity, wealth, and security of his homeland to follow the will of his God and follow Him into the promised land. The Tribes of Israel slaughtered a lamb and used its blood to cover their doorposts so that the Angel of Death might “pass over” the houses of the faithful and spare their firstborn, taking instead only the lives of the Egyptian heirs. Christ was to sacrifice his life for those who would be his followers.
For our purposes, we will consider chiefly the last of the recorded Biblical events of Nisan 14, Jesus' last supper with his apostles. After celebrating the traditional Passover meal with his disciples, Jesus set the pattern for something new. At Luke 22:19 and 20 we find the following:
Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: “This means my body, which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” Also, he did the same with the cup after they had the evening meal, saying: “This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in your behalf."
What was this to mean? Jesus spoke of a new covenant. Abraham and later the Israelites lead by Moses also received covenants, that of a promised land and freedom from the Egyptians and the law, respectively. Jesus was saying that these covenants would no longer be in place. The Abrahamic covenant for land would be replaced with a greater “kingdom of the heart.” The Mosaic covenant with its laws to govern had served only to prove that an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind, so this would be replaced with a covenant of love for all, including (perhaps, especially?) one's enemies.
Joseph Campbell would remind us, of course, that these events were symbolic, metaphors for the time and world in which they took place. Some may consider this heretical, but then, Jesus' adaptation of previous covenants into a new one was viewed in precisely the same way (thankfully, execution for religious belief and expression was not viewed as acceptable in the time of our dear friend Mr. Campbell as it was in Jesus' day). Is it possible that these metaphors and events of sacrifice have any meaning for us today? If so, is there any need to update them, or do the old models hold?
The idea of love and tolerance for others seems to be timeless. Jesus spoke of loving neighbors, and I would be hard-pressed to argue that. But does the life, time, and literal teaching of Jesus prove effectively all-encompassing enough to reflect the society of today, some 1980 years later?
Consider three areas. First, Jesus never had a car, rode in a train or on an aeroplane, or even a bike. Today's society moves at a much faster pace because of these technologies. Secondly, Jesus never used an oven, a microwave, ate fast food, or consumed bottled water. Today's society is less encumbered, and has more “free time” thanks to these developments. Finally, Jesus never had the internet, a television, or a radio. Today's society is ever-more globalized and connected because of these advances.
So what is the point? If Jesus were alive today, I think he would remind us to love all, just as he did nearly two thousand years ago. But I think he'd have some additional proverbs and wisdom to offer in the three areas above. According to Joe Campbell, the new myth must incorporate technology: it must answer the question, will the machine defeat the man? The advances in transportation, food service and distribution, and socialization have the capacity to do unimaginable good. Yet what do we see? A planet heating because of greenhouse emissions, oceans with islands of floating refuse, and people more isolated than ever as a result of all three technologies: Ride alone in your car, eat alone with your TV dinner, connect with people virtually via text or online rather than in person.
My family and I will be celebrating Nisan 14 this year with a new covenant and notion of sacrifice. The old symbols of bread and wine (we will use grape juice) serve us just fine- Campbell said that ritual is the reenactment of myth- but aren't an absolute necessity. In the path of the Christ, here is how we will celebrate:
“Take this, loaf, the body, and eat. We do this to recognize our appreciation for the “body” of the universe- our world and all it provides. Let us not become unappreciative of the conveniences that travel and accessible food provide, but express our appreciation for that technology by using it in a manner harmonious with our world, our universe, and all its goings on.
Take this cup, the blood, and drink. We do this to recognize our appreciation for the “blood” of the universe- its “soul”. Let us not become unappreciative of the people, animals, plants, forms and happenings in which we are all connected and of which we are all a part, but express our appreciation for the ease of connection we now have through technology by using our greater connective capabilities harmoniously with our world, our universe, and all its goings on.
These are the new covenant, in which We die to the idea that We are somehow separate or apart from anyone or anything, and are reborn to be connected to ALL.
May the Force Be With Us.”
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It was a lovely evening of memorial, and a good conversation with the Hub of the Great Wheel 
