“And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”” (Luke 22:15–18, ESV)
The Lord’s Supper is an intensely personal meal. It is a family meal. It is by invitation only. And the invitation goes out to all who believe; to all his disciples. If you do not believe the gospel, do not come to this table. If you are not a Christian, do not come to this table.
Jesus earnestly desired to have the last Passover with his disciples. He was nearing the end of his painful mission. All was about to change. Passover would become the Lord’s Supper, the work of Christ would be fulfilled, and the Kingdom were come in a new and powerful way.
Jesus takes an oath of self-denial until it is accomplished. “I will not eat,” “I will not drink, until…” This declares his steadfast commitment to finish his work and to complete their redemption. In other words, to fulfill the meaning of Passover and the Lord’s Supper. To shed his blood to save their souls. “Having loved his own, who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1).
Jesus here proclaims his steadfast commitment to go to the cross and to fulfill his calling from the Father.
“Until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” “Until the Kingdom of God comes.” When did that happen?
In his incarnation, in his death and resurrection it came. It began. It was initiated.
In the end it will come in fulness. It will be completed to the uttermost.
The kingdom is here already, but not yet in its fulness.
The blessings of the kingdom are present now, they are accessible, but not yet complete.
The day awaits when the full multitude, from every tribe, tongue and nation will come to Christ.
This is a supper that we can enjoy today, and in its fullness then. The marriage supper of the Lamb is coming. Here is a foretaste; an anticipation.
The Kingdom is here, and the kingdom is coming.
We look back, we remember, the finished work of Christ – his shed blood and his resurrection. The Kingdom is here! Jesus reigns now!