Kingdom Principle: What is your hope for the future? Are you anticipating Jesus’ return? Does the certainty of his return sustain your efforts in this life. Jesus teaches us in this text that the remembering of the Lord’s Supper is as much about looking forward as it is looking back. Never forget what Jesus has done for you, and what he will do for you in the age that is to come.
-
The S____________________: Looking toward the Future
Luke 22:14–23 (ESV) — 14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
Epithymia epethymiesa: desiring I desired
15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For (explanatory clause) I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
The physical meal that they are about to partake in, points to what will establish the foundation of the physical meal that is to come. The Passover meal, which is a foreshadow of Jesus’ death as the sacrificial lamb, will set the table for the meal that will take place when Jesus returns to rule and reign on earth, that is the marriage supper of the lamb.
Jesus is looking forward by looking back.
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV) — 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus endured the present, knowing the certainty of the future. Therefore beloved, we ought to endure our current state, knowing that we too will one day dine at Jesus’ royal banquet.
Revelation 19:1-11 (pg. 976)
-
The S____________________: Looking at the Past
Luke 22:19–20 (ESV) — 19 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.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
-
Vicarious Nature of Christ’s Sacrifice
Vicarious means to be performed, exercised, received, or suffered in place of another. What Jesus is saying here is that his brokenness is for our brokenness and his blood is shed for our blood.
huper: on behalf of another
1 Peter 2:24 (ESV) — 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
-
Veracity of Christ’s Love
John 13:1 (ESV) — 1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
Jesus’ love for us, is not based on our desert of his love, it is based on his willingness to exercise that love. We are sinners, who do not deserve the love and grace of God, but he extends it to us anyways.
Romans 5:7–8 (ESV) — 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Questions to Consider
-
How does this text encourage you to continue to fight the good fight?
-
How often do you think of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Spend some time in Revelation 19 this week reflecting on all that will be yours in Christ Jesus.
