LUKE 22:14-20 – “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.””

THEME OF THE DAY: OUR LORD’S HEART FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH US.   Today’s scripture is Luke’s account of our Lord instituting His table; one of two ordinances He would give to His church.  In this gospel exposition of this sacred occasion, Luke offers an insight not contained in the other gospel accounts.  He quotes these words from the Lord – “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.”

What is unique in Luke’s gospel is our Lord’s heart toward the shared meal with His disciples.  Jesus didn’t just want to observe the Passover with His men.  He earnestly desired to do so.  This was not a passing thought. It gripped Him. He longed to share the meal with His disciples. He wanted intimate fellowship around this memorial of what He is about to do for them.  It reminds us of John’s gospel and him recording the earnest desire for our Lord to have us with Him in glory. He even prays for this experience for His people – “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24).

Combining both desires from the heart of our Lord, the fellowship with us around the meal, and the fellowship with Him in heaven, we see His intense love for the fruit of His redemptive work – fellowship with us.

Now would be a great time to do a little self-examination about our desires for Him, but instead of quizzing ourselves, how about a prayer?  Something like this . . .  “Lord, I am humbled to see Your heart’s desire for fellowship with me in this life and the next. May Your Spirit intensify within my heart the desire to fellowship with You, now by faith in Your Word, and soon, by sight of Your glorious face.”

PRAYER:  Lord, deepen my longing for fellowship with You now by faith, and soon by sight.

REFLECTION: Think much of our Lord’s desire for fellowship with us and let it deepen our desire for it too.