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This week we continue our discussion of chapter 22 of Luke’s Gospel. Please read verses 14-30 every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 22:14-16 (New American Standard – NAS)
‘And when the hour had come He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”’
Over the past 18 months or so, I have made several references to holidays that Cath and I have been fortunate enough to enjoy. Over the years, not only have we had time alone, but also, we have shared our time away with friends and family. They have been wonderful times full of laughter, conversation and no shortage of food!
Generally, as the week(s) of our holiday progresses, we eat at many different restaurants, and discuss what we thought of the meal. As the holiday comes to an end, we always have the same conversation and it invariably is about where we are going to eat our final meal of the holiday. We really do take some time to consider what we’re going to have on that final night because we want to return home having finished the holiday on a good/positive note. We don’t want to have a bad meal on our final day. Also, because we choose a restaurant and a meal that we really like, for the last few days, we start to look forward to that final meal, knowing that we’re going to enjoy it for one last time before going home.
In our verses today, we read of Jesus’ so-called ‘Last Supper’. As explained yesterday, this was more than just a last meal with His disciples. It doesn’t really equate to my description of a last visit to a favourite restaurant. However, it is possible for us in a western culture to think of it in such terms. I just want to bring a few things to your attention today beginning with the phrase “I have earnestly desired”.
In an earlier translation, it states “With desire I have desired”. This gives us an indication as to the intensity of emotion that Jesus was feeling at this point. It also shows us that this moment wasn’t a haphazard, last minute thing. Jesus had been looking forward to this moment and was determined to spend these last few hours with His beloved disciples.
Note also that Jesus says “I have desired to eat this Passover WITH YOU”. He was surrounded by the men to whom He had devoted His time over the past 3 years or so. My imagination goes wild sometimes and I’m trying to understand what Jesus would have been thinking at this moment. Yes, Jesus was about to be arrested, tortured and killed but perhaps His thoughts are toward the men sat in front of them. It would not be very long before one of them would betray Him and later hang himself. In the near future, according to historians, all of the disciples with the exception of John would die violent deaths on account of their faith. As Jesus is looking toward His own suffering, surely His mind was also filled with compassion for the men who would also suffer for His Name’s sake.
Yes, this life can be filled with pain and hardship that we cannot understand. However, Jesus is promising His disciples that one day, the time will come when He would eat with them again. When God’s purposes are fulfilled and we are called home, we too will eat with our Saviour.
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