Lent
April 9, 2022
Scripture Reading:
Luke 22:14-23:56
When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, ‘I have eagerly 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.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving 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.’ Then he took a loaf of 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 he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!’ Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this. –Luke 22:14-23
Jesus served the disciples the Passover elements of bread and wine, but apparently, he did not eat it himself in Luke’s writing. Is Jesus saying here that he would not partake until the kingdom of God is fulfilled? At what point does that happen? Is it realized in Jesus’s resurrection or at the end of time? Is it when we get our acts together, all our acts together, and figure out how to love like Jesus resulting in a world where all are welcomed and encouraged to be the person God created each of us to be? A world where everyone has enough of not only the basic needs of life but also enough love, enough faith, and enough hope. I do not know the answer to any of these questions, but I do know we are called to be kingdom builders as Christ envisioned it and I think Jesus Christ would love to eat the bread and drink the cup with us sooner than later.
Both Matthew and Mark imply that Jesus did eat the bread and drink the cup as the word “again” is added before he says he would not partake until the kingdom of God was fulfilled. John chose to tell the story of Jesus washing the Disciples’ feet at that Last Supper together demonstrating their calling and our calling today of serving with humility. I Think Christ would love to pitch his tent among us when we had fulfilled our part in kingdom building and just enjoy a day of Sabbath taken together.
Prayer: Lord, open our hearts and minds to find our way in implementing your kingdom. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.