Matt 26:26 from New King James Version (NKJV)

Matt 26:27-28 from the Message (MSG)

Luke 22 from New Living Translation (NLT)

Luke 22:15 'longed' from Weymouth New Testament (WNT)

Italics 'How' by author

Suppose you're on death row, awaiting your execution. You get to pick your last meal. Would you look forward to it?

I can tell you that I would probably feel sick to my stomach just thinking about it, let alone eating it and enjoying it.

Not Jesus. Luke 22:15 tells us that He looked forward to His last meal (the Last Supper) with intense desire. Other translations say He was eager; He longed for it.

When I read that, I felt so much love for this Man. I mean, He knew what a terrible, excruciating horror show was awaiting Him. Not only physically, but He would become the curse; all the sins of the world would land on Him. Forsaken by the Father, people laughing, mocking Him, spitting on Him. He was going to be the loneliest Man in the universe. Literally.

And make no mistake, Jesus knew in detail all that was going to happen.

Could you eat?

Jesus looked forward to it!

All I can think is how, Jesus, just... how?

You know why He was looking forward to it? After all, Jesus had already celebrated Passover meals with His disciples before. So what made this one different?

Well, this time He would no longer be a mere participant in the ritual. He would be the actual sacrifice, the Passover Lamb. They would be breaking His body, drinking His blood, transforming this annual ritual into the New Covenant.

And let me tell you, this New Covenant is not a patched-up version of the Old Covenant. It's not Old Covenant 2.0. No! It's brand new, replacing the old Mosaic law system.

It's like 2 Corinthians 5:17: The old has gone; the new is here! (NIV).

Death didn't just pass over; death has been destroyed! Yes, death died! Jesus conquered death by His own death and resurrection. He restored the relationship between the Father and us humans. Through Him, we have direct access to God; we can now call Him Papa, Daddy; we're family! Are you feeling this?!

All our sins forgiven. Our hearts transformed by the Holy Spirit. And that is why Jesus looked forward to it.

That's also why we don't celebrate Passover anymore. 'Cause now, we do it to remember Jesus and all that He's done for us. (Do this in remembrance of me). It's Communion. This time it's personal and relational.

The Bible says God is love. He truly is. Love has a name, it's Jesus. ❤️