Word@Work Luke323 - Luke 22:14-16
Published: Tue, 03/29/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
EAGER TO EAT THE LAST SUPPER
Luke 22:14-16 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. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God." (NIV)
The time had come. The Passover meal had been prepared and the apostolic team gathered around Jesus. It was a critical moment which was to define the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new. It was the culmination of Israel's history which had pointed to God's Redeemer buying back sinful humanity from Satan's control. A few hours hence, the cross would become the torturous instrument of death. The image of the dying Jesus would be most dreadful to watch, but it needed a clear explanation, or it would remain a mystery.
That is why the Last Supper was so significant. It did not just set the pattern for our 'breaking of bread' communion services. It was Jesus' last opportunity to tell the apostles the significance of His death. Although the Passover celebration looked back 1,500 years, it also described the cross. In both events, the lamb was free from defects, the best from the flock; the lamb was killed as a substitute sacrifice in place of sinful human beings; the blood was the sign of protection from God's wrath for all who sheltered beneath it; the bread was eaten, strengthening those who believed to serve God and travel with him; and the wine was drunk in thanksgiving for what God had done.
The intense desire of Jesus to eat the Passover with the apostles was important for us too. We cannot be saved by copying the example of Christ's life; rather we must trust in the atoning sacrifice of His death. The primary purpose of His body was not to do miracles, but to enable the miracle of new birth to all who believed in the sacrifice of His death. In establishing bread and wine as the essential elements of remembering Him, He left a spiritual legacy based on His death rather than His life. Although the next few days would be unbearably dark for the apostles, after that they would have the responsibility to explain the death and resurrection of Jesus, and invite many to believe in Him as the Saviour of the world. That is where we come in! If you are saved it is because you have trusted Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). If others are to come to faith they must move beyond a moving mystery to a clear understanding of His death ... don't leave them in the dark ... explain to them why Jesus died, and that He died for them.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for not leaving the apostles only with raw emotions about Christ's death but that Jesus explained the purpose of His suffering. Thank You for those who told me. So please help me to be careful to explain to others the reason for Calvary so that they can be confident that they can come to You and belong to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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The time had come. The Passover meal had been prepared and the apostolic team gathered around Jesus. It was a critical moment which was to define the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new. It was the culmination of Israel's history which had pointed to God's Redeemer buying back sinful humanity from Satan's control. A few hours hence, the cross would become the torturous instrument of death. The image of the dying Jesus would be most dreadful to watch, but it needed a clear explanation, or it would remain a mystery.
That is why the Last Supper was so significant. It did not just set the pattern for our 'breaking of bread' communion services. It was Jesus' last opportunity to tell the apostles the significance of His death. Although the Passover celebration looked back 1,500 years, it also described the cross. In both events, the lamb was free from defects, the best from the flock; the lamb was killed as a substitute sacrifice in place of sinful human beings; the blood was the sign of protection from God's wrath for all who sheltered beneath it; the bread was eaten, strengthening those who believed to serve God and travel with him; and the wine was drunk in thanksgiving for what God had done.
The intense desire of Jesus to eat the Passover with the apostles was important for us too. We cannot be saved by copying the example of Christ's life; rather we must trust in the atoning sacrifice of His death. The primary purpose of His body was not to do miracles, but to enable the miracle of new birth to all who believed in the sacrifice of His death. In establishing bread and wine as the essential elements of remembering Him, He left a spiritual legacy based on His death rather than His life. Although the next few days would be unbearably dark for the apostles, after that they would have the responsibility to explain the death and resurrection of Jesus, and invite many to believe in Him as the Saviour of the world. That is where we come in! If you are saved it is because you have trusted Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). If others are to come to faith they must move beyond a moving mystery to a clear understanding of His death ... don't leave them in the dark ... explain to them why Jesus died, and that He died for them.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for not leaving the apostles only with raw emotions about Christ's death but that Jesus explained the purpose of His suffering. Thank You for those who told me. So please help me to be careful to explain to others the reason for Calvary so that they can be confident that they can come to You and belong to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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