11/7/10 Luke 22:14-23 King Through Pain

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 of 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.

(Last Supper frescoe- Leonardo Da Vinci 1498 Milan)

Thoughts: Many Christians will have communion today.  Jesus was eager to eat and drink with his disciples, and we should be eager to eat with Him.  Jesus was eager because he wanted them to remember Him after He left.  He also was reinforcing their faith by predicting his suffering and betrayal.  To know that suffering is not done without God's knowledge and even foreknowledge can be a comfort.  But Jesus also saw his suffering as an ushering in of the kingdom.  Certainly the resurrection is a sign of the kingdom- and the resurrection would not happen without his suffering.  But also the cross is the beginning of his kingdom in the sense that the sacrifice has been made for us.  We are brought into the kingdom because the King came and gave Himself for us on the cross. 

Prayer: Lord, today we remember your death for us- giving your body and your blood- that we might have life.  We remember you are King of kings and Lord of Lords.  Rule over us today.