With Deep Longing

Scripture: Luke 22:14-30

14 When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 15 Jesus said, “I have looked forward to this hour with deep longing, anxious to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.” 19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.” (Luke 22:14-20 NLT)

As the evening unfolded, Jesus finished washing the disciples’ feet and he and the Twelve sat down at the table together. Jesus poured out his heart of love to his closest friends and followers. He broke the bread and gave it to them. He poured the wine of the New Covenant and passed the cup to each of them. But before he finished sharing his deepest feelings with them, fully knowing that before the night ended, Judas would betray him, Peter would deny he ever knew him, and they all would desert him, Judas left the table and went to meet with the head priests to organize Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane later that night.

The others began arguing over which of them would be greatest in his coming Kingdom. Jesus patiently reminded them of his humility and servanthood. He forgave them in advance for their betrayal, denial, and desertion, and loved them to the end.

Jesus told them he had looked forward to this hour with deep longing. I too have a deep longing. I have a deep longing to have a heart like Jesus’ heart. To share the Communion Meal with others without judging them. I don’t want to “not judge” others because it’s wrong to judge others, or because if I judge others I will be judged. I want to “not judge” others because I have a heart like Jesus’ heart—because it’s not in my heart to judge others! That is my deep longing!

I’m thankful for the grace we have and hopeful for the grace we’ll receive as Jesus’ prayer for our unity is answered one communion meal at a time.

Prayer:

Father, I’m thankful for what we have and I’m hopeful for continued progress on the answer to Jesus’ prayer for unity. Please don’t let us miss the lessons to learn! Amen.