The Meal

The Meal

Luke 22:7-16

Thesis – Christ eagerly desires communion with us.

Worship Objective – To prepare people for communion with Christ.

            Last week we began a series of messages, for Lent, on Jesus’ final twenty-four hours.  In the first message we considered the acted parable of foot washing that occurred in an upper room on Thursday, between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.  The times I’m giving throughout these messages are educated guesstimates.

This morning I want us to return to that upper room and consider something Jesus said about the evening meal (probably between 4:00 and 7:00 PM) He and the disciples were about to share.

Please turn, in your Bibles, to Luke 22 and follow along as I read verses 7-16.

(Read Luke 22:7-16.)

As I was studied this passage, the words of verse 15 jumped off the page and hit me like a one, two combination.   And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”  I’ve read these words many times but never did they ring my bell like this before.  Jesus eagerly desired to eat this Passover with the disciples.  Why?  Why, I wondered, did He anticipate this meal like a nine month pregnant woman desires delivery?  My wonder led me, as it should, to reflection and study.  As a result of my reflection and study I came up with four reasons why Jesus eagerly desired to eat this Passover with the disciples. 

First,

I.  He could complete His task.

A.  Remember Jesus knew He was living His final twenty-four hours.

1.  What Jesus knew in advance, like the details of where the meal would be held, should silence any concerns about His divinity.

            2.  This was a necessary stop en-route to His destination.

B.  He came to suffer and die for the sins of the whole world (including yours and mine).

1.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.  Mark 10:45

2.  But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!  Luke 12:50

            C.  When we know we’re going to suffer we’re eager to get it over with!

            In addition to completing His task Jesus eagerly desired to eat this Passover so

II.  He could communicate His truth.

A.  Jesus knew about timing His message to the readiness of His listeners: I have much more to say to you, more than you can bear.  John 16:12

B.  His final communication included:

            1.  An acted parable on serving others (John 13:1-20).

2.  Information about how they could go where He was going (John 14:1-4).

3.  Instruction concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit in His place (John 14:15-31; 16:5-16).

4.  Teaching on the necessity of abiding in Him (John 15:1-17).

            He eagerly desired to eat this Passover so he could complete His task, communicate His truth and so

III.  He could commemorate His sacrifice.

            A.  He linked the Passover to what it pointed to, His sacrifice.

B.  He instituted the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

                        1.  A remembrance (Luke 22:19).

                        2.  A connection

                                    (a) Horizontal and vertical

(b) John Wesley “believed that the experience was more than a symbol; it was an opportunity to actually commune with Christ and receive the grace of God.”  -Steve Harper, The Way to Heaven

(c) Until the Kingdom of God comes (Luke 22:18b).

            Finally, He eagerly desired to eat this Passover so

IV.  He could commune with His friends.

            A.  It’s normal to want to spend your final hours with those you love.

1.  “Jesus had the normal human yearning for those last precious moments of communion with the companions who he loved before death should separate Him from them.”  -Charles Childers

2.  “… fellowship at mealtime is important, especially the profound fellowship which is experienced by Christians and made possible by Jesus’ death.”  -Stanley Horton

            B.  We tend to think of meeting with Jesus only in terms of us not Him.

                        1.  The confrontation in My Heart Christ’s Home

                        2.  Missing opportunities for fellowship with Christ is a big deal to Him.

             As on that Thursday, two thousand years ago, Jesus has come to this meal eagerly desiring connection, communion with His disciples - you and me.  I invite you, who are desperate for Him, to commune with Him today at His table. 

Wyoming, PA – 02/24/08  

Bangor, ME – 03/22/09