A Glimpse Into God’s Heart. As the disciples made the necessary Passover preparations, Jesus knew it symbolized His death that was to come. And yet, in the darkest of moments, we see the full weight of God’s love for us.
In the Gospel of Luke, we read, “For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after the supper, He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray Me is with Mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays Him!” They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. Luke 22:13-23 Read Full Chapter @BibleGateway
Passover Preparations
The table is set, and the food is prepared as Jesus and His disciples come together for the Passover meal. This wonderful celebration still summons the Jewish people of today to gather and remember how God delivered their ancestors from slavery.
As soon as Jesus sat down, He looked straight at His companions. He said, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (v. 15).
Jesus Longs for Fellowship
Just think about it, Jesus was telling His disciples, “I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a very long time!” Let that sink in for a moment. The Passover foreshadows the Passion of the Christ, which is the time when Jesus was betrayed by people He trusted. While also being discredited, dishonored, brutalized, and pushed away by some of His followers. Yet- on top of all that, He needed to share THIS PARTICULAR PASSOVER MEAL with HIS FRIENDS.
How could Jesus possibly want to fellowship with the people who would leave Him during His biggest crisis? The answer is clear and yet very deep. He was able to do it because of His love. His unconditional love for His disciples is hard for us to understand. And yet, in it, we catch A Glimpse Into God’s Heart!
Take a Closer Look!
Study the words of Jesus from the perspective of John-
"No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known." John 1:18
With His need to have fellowship with His disciples, we see how Jesus is reflecting God’s heart. It reveals that the Father deeply desires to spend time with us as much as Jesus did with His disciples!
The Separation of Sin
Consequently, the Passover is ultimately redeemed when Jesus is crucified. "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3:16-17
Jesus was keenly aware of His future suffering. He also knew what it was to accomplish, eternal fellowship with the Father and all those who would follow Him. His death was not the end but a beautiful beginning to everlasting life; it would usher in more fellowship! His death anchored (cemented) our very deliverance. Despite everything, Jesus wanted His disciples to grasp the total weight of His sacrifice for them.
He Loves You!
The writer of Thessalonians tells us, "For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you"? 1 Thessalonians 2:19
God’s Motivation!
Nailed to the cross and hanging alone, rejected by His Father and man. But what was His motivation? It was His love for each of us, restoring us to God in holy fellowship with Him forever! I hope you know how much God loves you and find encouragement in His Word!
And so, to embrace the words of the Apostle Paul-
"We pray that out of His glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19
