Remember The Cross

As was customary, Jesus reclined at table, and the apostles with Him, lying on cushions with their heads near the table and their feet away from it. The famous painting of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci in which Jesus and the disciples are portrayed as sitting at a table is a beautiful sixteenth-century rendition of the event. It is not true, however, to the biblical account, in which the meal was eaten reclining.( Stein, R. H. (1992). Luke (Vol. 24, p. 541). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

That Jesus and the Twelve reclined in such a manner indicates that this was a prolonged meal. By the Second Temple Period, the Passover itself had evolved from the hurried meal described in Exodus 12–13, just as it has evolved since (Green, J. B. (1997). The Gospel of Luke (p. 757). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.).

Christ’s words to the disciples in verse 15, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,” likely were spoken just after the men had reclined at the table. They are intensive and forceful; the Greek text could be translated, “With desire I have desired.” These words indicate that this final Passover would be the fulfillment of a most powerful, emotional longing in the heart of the Lord. In a few hours He would go from eating again a sacrificial lamb to dying as the one true Lamb of God to validate the New Covenant. His whole life He had anticipated this hour, surely with increasing emotion. The construction “I have earnestly desired” carries the sense of ardent, passionate longing. These revealing words invite all believers of every time and place to consider how passionately Jesus longs for communion with us at His table (MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1450). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.).

The Lord’s next statement in verse 16, “For I tell/say to you, I will not/shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God,” reveals that although this was the final Passover of His life, there will be another time when He celebrates the Passover with His own. That will take place in the kingdom of God (cf. vv. 18, 28–30; 1 Cor. 11:26). Jesus’ promise was wonderful news to the apostles. He had taught them the previous evening on the Mount of Olives what would happen in the future (Luke 21:7–36). Now in this reference to His kingdom He reassured them that His death was not the end of the story. He will rise and return to establish His promised kingdom in which His true followers will join with Him. According to Ezekiel’s description, Passover will be celebrated (Ezek. 45:21)—not remembering the exodus, but the cross. Until then, there are no divinely authorized Passovers. The regular celebration of Passover by the Jews is an expression of their rejection of their Messiah.

Please turn to Revelation 19 (p.1039)

People have often called the last war, the war to end all wars. But as long as we live in these unredeemed bodies, in an unredeemed society, we will have the manifestations of sin resulting in conflict, war and famine. Christ promises as day in the consummation of His kingdom to end all strife, conflict and hunger. The Almighty reigns throughout history, but here in Revelation 19 (as in 11:15–17) he is praised for establishing his reign without rival or resistance at Christ’s return (Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2491). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.).