Countdown to the Resurrection

A Glimpse Into God's Heart

Just as your missionary team at Faith & Liberty prepares for Easter, Jesus knew His “hour” was rapidly approaching and made the necessary preparations. He knew, as He prepared with His disciples for Passover, that this sacred memorial was, in fact, a symbol of His own impending death. And yet, in this dark moment, we see the depth of God’s love for us revealed in remarkable fashion.

In the Gospel of Luke we read, “So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, ‘With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!’ Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing” (Luke 22:13-23).

The preparations are made; the utensils, carpets and tables are set as Jesus and His disciples gather in a borrowed room for the Passover feast. This unique celebration calls the Jewish people to remembrance of God’s deliverance as He brought them out of Egyptian slavery through His miraculous power.

The disciples knew the Passover memorial well as they have participated in it since their youth. But this night was strangely different. On this night, Jesus sets the tone by expressing His feelings in unmistakable works.

Immediately as Jesus reclined, He looked straight into the eyes of His companions and declared, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you” (v. 15).

With fervent desire. In the original language, the Gospel writer Luke records Jesus using the same word as both a noun and a verb. Literally, it would be translated “with desire have I desired.” Jesus was employing an ancient Hebraism to emphasize a greater degree of action or emotion. He is saying to His disciples, “I have so longed for this moment. I’ve been waiting for so long to share this dinner with you!”

Think about that for a moment. The Passover symbolizes the passion of the Christ during which He would be betrayed, humiliated and cast aside by His own followers—yet, in spite of that impending pain, He had such a longing, such a desire to share this meal with His friends.

How is that possible? How could you have a passionate longing to spend time with those you knew would fail you in your time of crisis? The answer is simple, yet profound. He loved His disciples with  unconditional love—a love that is difficult for us to comprehend.

Let’s take that just a step further. Consider the words of Jesus in light of John 1:18: “No one has seen God ... at any time; the ... only begotten God ... who is in the intimate presence of the Father, He has explained Him [and interpreted and revealed the awesome wonder of the Father].”

In His longing to have this night of fellowship with the disciples, Jesus is “revealing the awesome wonder of the Father.” He is reflecting the heart of God!

As much as Jesus longed for fellowship with His disciples, so the Father passionately desires fellowship with us!

But sin separates. ...

Thus, the Passover is fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

His death secured our salvation. In spite of the pain, the agony, the betrayal that lay only hours ahead, Jesus longed for His disciples to understand what His sacrifice would mean to them—and to the entire world. His heart longed to be with those He loved, knowing the path to eternal fellowship included His own death. But that was a price He was willing to pay.

The writer of Hebrews tells us, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2).

Hanging naked, suspended between God and man, rejected by both, Jesus paid a terrible price. What was the joy set before Him? It was you, reconciled to God and in fellowship with Him for eternity!

He loves you!

It is that love of God that compels us as your missionaries on Capitol Hill to strive daily to bring the Word of God to bear on the hearts and minds of our nation’s public policy makers, to impact them with the truths of the Gospel.

It is your prayers and generous support that make this prophetic outreach to Capitol Hill possible. Thank you!

And so, to borrow the words of the apostle Paul, we pray "to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named ... that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Eph. 3:14-19).

During this Easter season, all of us at Faith & Liberty pray you will discover anew in your lives the depth of God's love for you. Amen.

Faith & Liberty is an evangelistic ministry, taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nation's top elected and appointed officials. Our mission is simple: To bring the Word of God to bear on the hearts and minds of those that make public policy in America. We rely on your support to accomplish this important ministry. Thank you for your generosity.