Eat with Me Before I Leave

“And when the hour came, he reclined at 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 tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:14-20 ESV)

We often speak of the importance of fellowship. Jesus was no different. Jesus knew His suffering was about to begin, and he knew He would die shortly. Jesus, however, desired the fellowship of His disciples, whom He now called friends. He desired to be with them and, in doing so, instructed them on his remembrance in the form of the Lord’s Supper.

Jesus would not eat or drink wine again “until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” What did Jesus mean? Jesus abstained because He was looking forward to the marriage of the supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:6-9). The Kingdom of God on earth was primarily found in Christ’s ministry. An escalated form arrived when Jesus was enthroned in Heaven, and the Holy Spirit was delivered to the Apostles (Acts 1:3, 6-8, 2:32-36).

The Passover meal traditionally involves passing the cup of wine, which is wine diluted with water. Jesus was using this tradition to create another: the remembrance of His blood, which was given up so that all people could be saved through faith in Christ. When Jesus took the cup of wine and gave it to the disciples, He said He would not drink of the cup until the coming of the kingdom of God. This is important to the significance of the Lord’s supper. This anticipation of the second coming is an important aspect of the Lord's Supper as a sacrament.  

When we consider the Lord’s Supper, much discussion surrounds how Jesus instructs the Apostles. The phrase “This is my body” has been greatly misinterpreted. Some religions that call themselves Christians believe the bread or “host” is truly transformed into the body of Christ. Jesus was not saying this but that the bread represented His body. His request for remembrance is for the remembrance of His death. Christ's death and resurrection are central to the foundation of Christianity.

The New Covenant Jesus speaks of comes through His death and blood. It is the sacrifice that ratifies the new covenant of Jeremiah 31:31. It exceeds and replaces the covenant God made with Israel at Sinai.

Later in the meal, Jesus foretold the prophecy that one of the Apostles, Judas Iscariot, would betray Christ, leading to His arrest.

Peace and Grace!