Jesus’ Words of Friendship

“The Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching.” (Luke 22:1, NIV)

Dinner, supper, banquet, feast… A meal.Family, friends, conversation, relaxing, celebrating, sharing… Together.

The Passover meal celebration seems out of place in the last week of Jesus’ life. In a week filled with teaching, misunderstanding, betrayal, and preparations, the Passover meal comes as a short gasp of air for Jesus to take the time to honor his Father, Jewish tradition, and his disciples.

We are familiar with certain parts of the meal—Judas’ betrayal, Jesus washing his disciples’ feet, and His comparison of the bread bread and wine to his soon-to-be broken body and spilled blood. 

But if we aren’t careful, we can miss the beginning of the meal Jesus shared with his closest followers and friends. Jewish custom views hospitality and the sharing of a meal as a fellowship of intimate bonds. Passover was traditionally shared with family, so Jesus gathered with his chosen twelve.

When it was time, he sat down, all the apostles with him, and said: “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God … Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” (Luke 22:14-18, NIV) 

How strange it is to hear the warm, truth-filled words of our Savior to his twelve closest friends hours before a back-stabbing betrayal, a heart-shattering denial, and an indescribable, undeserved death. Why was this meal so important to him? Fully knowing that his disciples would reject and deny him in the near future, he still said: “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you...”

No matter what we have done or will do, Jesus is inviting us into a deep family bond with him. 

All throughout the Scriptures, Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God is like a banquet, a feast, and a party. Even though we have rejected Jesus and probably will again many times in our lives, Jesus invites us—like he did the disciples—into a family meal with him.

Take a moment and just sit with Jesus. Enjoy His presence. Recognize that even in the shadow of the cross, Jesus wants to connect… with you!

You are a miracle!