PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 22:14-23
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15)
Jesus ‘eagerly desires’ to eat this Passover with them… why?
The deep meaning of the Passover must be part of it, but also eating with them.
To eat it with them, especially since he knew they would betray him.
Judas is included in the ‘with you’, as is Peter and the rest, all who would flee.
I see in Jesus’s ‘eager desire’ another sign of amazing grace.
Though our desire is weak, his remains strong.
Though our spirit is willing but our flesh weak, his spirit and flesh are strong!
Jesus also assures them they will eat it with him again when he returns.
In other words, my love for you is strong to the very end, even if yours isn’t.
The disciples question the possibility of their disloyalty, but Jesus knows it.
Still, he ‘eagerly desires’ to eat with us, because of his love for us.
I am encouraged when I think of my own weakness.
Every time I take part in communion, I remember how he suffers with, like and for me.
His love is ‘long-suffering’, and will endure until he comes again in his kingdom!
PRAYER
Lord, though I sometimes forget you, or wander from you, you never forget or wander from me. You still eagerly desire to eat with me, and one day we will eat together, forever!
“For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Thinking of the Passover and finding its fulfilment! Jesus has passed over my sin – his blood on my ‘doorpost’ his life given – is the fulfilment that confirms the promise – I am passed over and I have life – life always! Let me live a life pleasing to the Lord!
Eating together.
That’s hospitality.
Eating bread together, even knowing that there are those who will betray or flee from you when trouble arises.
Greater love has no man than to lay down His life for another.
That’s my God.
Knowing what was to happen, He still shared Himself with His followers. What a friend. There is no other. What a friend we/I have in Jesus. And as Jesus eagerly desired to eat with His discipes so I too need to be eager in my service, to Him, to my living for Jesus. What a Saviour!
1 Man of sorrows what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
2 Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood,
sealed my pardon with his blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
3 Guilty, helpless, lost were we;
blameless Lamb of God was he,
sacrificed to set us free:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
4 He was lifted up to die;
“It is finished” was his cry;
now in heaven exalted high:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
5 When he comes, our glorious King,
all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!