Eating

Eating

Luke 22:14-16, NLT

When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 15Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”

Setting the Scene

The Passover meal was supposed to be eaten in Jerusalem after sunset and finished before midnight. Everyone took their places on the reclining couches around the table.

Jesus had “been very eager” to share this quiet time with his disciples, eating, worshiping together, and preparing. John’s Gospel reveals much more that was said during their time together (John 13–16). But Luke tells us that Jesus knew his “suffering” would soon begin and that Passover would not be “fulfilled” until the “Kingdom of God.” The mention of fulfillment reveals the complete and ultimate significance of the entire Passover celebration. While Passover commemorated a past event (Israel’s escape from Egypt when the blood of a lamb painted on their doorframes saved their firstborn sons from death), it also foreshadowed Jesus’ work on the cross.

Knowing what he was about to endure and how the disciples would respond, Jesus wanted to spend these precious hours with his closest friends. Imagine how he must have felt as he looked into their eyes, spoke about his suffering, and gave new meaning to the bread and wine—certainly a mixture of sadness (especially considering Judas’s betrayal), resolve, and joy.

Jesus loved these “dear friends” (Luke 12:4, NLT) and was entrusting his work and the advance of the Kingdom to them.

Getting Personal

What activities and interests threaten to keep you from finding personal time to spend with God?

What specific changes would help you carve out time, apart from distractions, for prayer and God’s Word?

Jesus wants to spend time with us as well. In a message to complacent believers in Laodicea, he said, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (Revelation 3:20, NLT). At times, life is so noisy that we don’t hear his knock. At other times, we’re busily occupied with other concerns and don’t make room in our schedules to spend time with Jesus. But he loves us and wants to be with us, listening, healing, teaching, preparing, and leading. Will you let him in?

Talking to God

Admit to the Lord the difficulties you encounter in making time for developing your relationship with him. Ask him to help you be wise so that you don’t neglect or rush through your time together with him. Ask him to help you make the best choices about work and leisure, so that Christ remains the top priority.