Fulfillment in God’s Kingdom

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Scripture:


Luke 22:14   When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 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 until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 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.” 20 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.a  21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. 22 For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” 23 Then they began to ask one another, which one of them it could be who would do this.


Observation:


This scene is familiar to us all, as the disciples gather for this “last supper.” The disciples believe that they are celebrating the traditional passover meal, but Jesus’ intention is that this will be the last passover meal, and the institution of a new meal, “the Lord’s Supper.” Neale tells us:


The Lord’s Supper transforms the Passover meal into a symbolic “second Exodus” with an eschatological banquet motif. The full redemptive power of the Exodus will finally be realized in the kingdom of God—an in-breaking but not fully realized event. Likewise, Jesus will not drink the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes (Luke 22:18). Jesus refuses a cup offered to him on the cross (Mark 15:23; see Luke 23:36). The essential point is that the Passover will be fulfilled by Jesus’ death at this Passover, represented as the true expression of Passover’s original meaning. The full import of that night long ago in Egypt is now revealed in Luke’s retelling of the story—salvation is for all for whom the blood of this lamb is now shed. The Passover lamb is now understood in terms of Jesus, the Lamb of God. Thus, the Synoptists reinterpret the original historical Passover as a type of this true cosmic Passover. (Neale, NBBC) 


The night transforms into the advent of a new era. Jesus is ready to go all the way, suffering and dying on the cross for all of humankind. The kingdom of God is breaking into the kingdom of this world. Here, God and humanity are cooperating together in a divine mystery. 


Application:


We are in the season of Lent and in a few weeks this will come to its conclusion as we journey with Jesus through Holy Week. For us, as disciples, we are being drawn into a new era — a new season for humanity. If we are faithful disciples, then we are to participate in God’s kingdom. Jesus’ death and resurrection will be our entrance into that kingdom, and we are to follow him all the way through until the end. 


What was happening that night was radically transformational, for it was resetting history. The passover lamb was to be replaced with the ultimate sacrifice to set God’s people free. That divine mystery is present for us all today, if only we are willing to follow Jesus on that path. In these days, there is no time to be wasted in half-hearted dedication to Christ. This isn’t about a religion, but about a discipleship journey that will end at the cross. Through death will come life, and there is no promise of an easy journey for any of Christ’s followers. There is no promise for us either, for participating in the kingdom is costly. It cost Jesus his life, and it will cost us everything in order to fully participate. 


We may gather in church and take part in the Lord’s Supper and enjoy the experience, but there is so much more at work. The serious work of following after Christ is before us. We can see the fulfillment of God’s work in the kingdom, if only we open our eyes and whole-heartedly embrace Jesus as our Savior. 


What will we do with Jesus? The choice is ours. The table is spread. It’s not just about remembering the past, but participating in the new. Our lives come to fulfillment when we participate in Jesus’ kingdom work. 


Prayer:


Lord, I want to live for you every moment of every day. Please, help me to participate in your kingdom work. Amen.  

Comments

  1. Tina WoofApril 7, 2022 at 3:14 PM

    I wonder in what ways our costly participation in the here and now will carry forward into the new creation indicated by the resurrection of the Lamb of God... I wonder, and it gives me great hope and strengthens me to persevere.

    ReplyDelete

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