God's Gospel Truths
Mark 6:32-44
When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you…”
~ Luke 22:14-15
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
Pondering Point
Let's take some time to dwell on two words of Jesus to His disciples, translated as "I have eagerly desired" to share this meal (v.15). The original language has the Greek word for lust being used back-to-back, meaning that Jesus "lusted lustfully." We often perceive lust as a negative word, and in the Bible it is often called out as a temptation to be combatted, whether relating to sex, money or power. But here it is used to convey the deep passion Jesus has welling up in Him to share this moment with His closest friends. Jesus intends that His followers also revere this sacred meal and desire deeply to connect through it to God and each other.
Prayer for the Day
Father God, build such passion in us to be with You, commune with You, live with You; to share life with You. Build a similar passion in us to connect with other disciples as well, particularly in celebrating and experiencing our unity in Jesus’ Supper of Remembrance. In His name I pray. Amen.