Desire: Jesus “Eagerly Desires” to Eat the Passover with His Followers

Just so you don’t think the last post was a “one off,” let’s consider Jesus’ desires further. On the last night Jesus gathers with the 12 and some other disciples. They have their last meal together before Jesus is handed over to the Romans. At the table Jesus says something interesting. He says, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15) Isn’t it fascinating that Jesus “deeply wanted” (desired) to eat this Passover with His committed followers and friends?

Again, He is not just walking out the legally prescribed means set down by God to pay for the sins of humanity. No, He has come to rescue all who will turn to Him from the damaging effects of sin and evil – He came for friends and those who would become His “family” for all eternity! He came for people, like you and me.

Now, what does the Passover signify? It was the time in Exodus 12 where God “passed over” the sins of the Israelites while He judged the “gods” of Egypt (Exodus 12:12) This is exactly what God is doing through Jesus. He is “passing over” the sins of those who have turned to Him while He is judging the “gods” of this world. (This will culminate at the End of the Age as we transition to the next age.)

Jesus knows that He IS the Lamb! He knows the suffering that will come. But He also knows that His friends and followers will not be separated from Him forever. He knows that He will bear their sins in that moment where He cries out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” As the sin of the world is piled up on Jesus and God judges Him instead of us, He is cut off from the presence of God. God’s “just wrath” is poured out on Him instead of us! He gets punished and we go free. In this way, He creates new people to be His brothers and sisters… and also His bride.

He “eagerly desired” to eat this meal with them because it was the symbol of all that He would do for them and us! And He “wanted” to do it because He “wanted” us.

Never settle for mere court room terminology when you are thinking about what you mean to Jesus. It’s deeper than that.