And [Jesus] took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:19-20 ESV).
There is feasting. And then there’s feasting! And it’s not about the amount or type of food.
The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery states, “Feasts in the Bible are images of joyful voices, festive music and dancing, and abundant food. They are not simply parties, but celebrations of God’s goodness toward his people. They provide occasions of fellowship with one another and with the Lord to remember and to celebrate what wonderful things God has done.”
I have more than one favorite feasting scene recorded in the Bible. There’s this amazing account of feasting in God’s presence atop Mt. Sinai: “Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel climbed up the mountain. There they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, He did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in His presence!” (Exodus 24:9-11 NLT). That just seems to me to be but a foretaste of the grandest of all feasts yet to come.
And, of course, whose heart isn’t warmed with every reading of the Lord’s last supper?
Jesus announced the new covenant at this Passover meal, which would be established with His death. So, there is this amazing gift of the new covenant. And there’s also the gift of the memorial feast itself. Both at the incalculable cost of Jesus’ life.
But might it be considered a partially opened gift? Because it remains to be fully fulfilled in the kingdom of God (Luke 22:16).
The global church assembles every Sunday in festal communion with our Lord and observes the Lord’s Supper, a symbolic feast that commemorates Jesus salvific work through His sacrifice. It is a memorial to Jesus and a way to celebrate His new covenant, until He comes and gathers His own.
Jesus often depicted the kingdom of God as a great feast in His parables. Feast on them and increase your hunger for His return—for then all will be gift.
Father-God, may Your kingdom come. And may our hope and deepest longings be such for the kingdom that we strive to live out its values here and now.
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