Meaning of Luke 22:15

Jesus' statement, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer," spoken at the Last Supper, is profoundly significant, revealing his deep longing for this final shared meal with his disciples. This desire is not merely a casual wish but an intense anticipation, highlighting the immense emotional and spiritual weight Jesus placed on this occasion. It underscores his awareness of the impending suffering and death he was about to face, framing the Passover meal as a pivotal moment of communion and remembrance before his ultimate sacrifice. The phrase "eagerly desired" (epithymia epethymesa in the Greek) conveys a strong, even passionate, yearning, suggesting that this meal held a special place in his heart, representing not only the traditional commemoration of Israel's liberation from Egypt but also a prefiguration of his own liberation of humanity from sin.

Context and Background

The setting is the eve of Passover, a central festival in Judaism commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, when God delivered the Israelites from slavery. This particular Passover was unique because it was the last one Jesus would share with his disciples before his crucifixion. The disciples had made preparations for the meal, as indicated in the preceding verses (Luke 22:7-13). Jesus' words carry the weight of this historical and religious context, imbuing the ordinary act of eating the Passover meal with extraordinary meaning. He knew that this meal would serve as a transition, marking the end of the old covenant's Passover and the inauguration of a new covenant sealed by his own blood.

Key Themes and Messages

Several key themes emerge from this verse:

• Anticipation and Longing: Jesus' "eager desire" emphasizes his emotional investment in this moment, suggesting it was a cherished occasion he had looked forward to.
• Awareness of Suffering: The phrase "before I suffer" starkly contrasts the joyous commemoration of liberation with the impending pain and sacrifice Jesus was about to endure.
• Communion and Fellowship: The meal is presented as a final opportunity for intimate fellowship with his disciples before his departure.
• Theological Significance: This meal is not just a historical observance but a divinely ordained moment leading to a new covenant.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, Jesus' eagerness points to his profound love for humanity and his deep desire for connection. He longed to share this moment of transition with those he loved, to impart final teachings and establish a lasting memorial of his sacrifice. For believers, this verse calls us to approach communion, or the Lord's Supper, with similar anticipation and reverence. It is a sacred meal where we remember Christ's atoning death and celebrate our spiritual liberation. His eagerness serves as a model for our own engagement with spiritual practices, encouraging a heartfelt and expectant approach to our relationship with God.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a crucial link in the grand narrative of redemption. The Passover, with its theme of blood protecting from death and leading to freedom, directly foreshadows Jesus' own sacrifice. The paschal lamb, whose blood saved the firstborn of Israel, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29), whose blood redeems humanity from eternal death. Jesus' desire to eat this meal "before I suffer" positions him as the ultimate Passover lamb, whose suffering inaugurates a new era of salvation and freedom from sin.

Analogies

One analogy for Jesus' eagerness is that of a loving parent who, knowing they must soon depart, intensely desires one last special meal with their children to impart final wisdom and express their love before a long separation. Another is that of an artist meticulously preparing for the unveiling of their masterpiece, experiencing a profound eagerness to share their life's work before facing the trials that will follow its completion. The meal itself can be likened to a bridge, spanning the old covenant's liberation from physical bondage to the new covenant's liberation from spiritual bondage through Christ's sacrifice.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse is intricately connected to other passages concerning the Last Supper and Jesus' suffering:

• Luke 22:19-20: "And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, 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.'" This directly follows, explaining the institution of the Lord's Supper as a memorial of his body and blood, the very sacrifice he anticipated.
• John 13:1: "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." This verse highlights Jesus' awareness of his impending death and his continued love for his disciples, underscoring the emotional depth of the Last Supper.
• 1 Corinthians 5:7: "Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." This Pauline text explicitly identifies Christ as the Passover lamb, reinforcing the theological significance of the meal Jesus so eagerly desired.
• Hebrews 10:19-22: These verses speak of the new and living way into the holy places through Jesus' blood, echoing the theme of liberation and access to God initiated by his sacrifice, which he anticipated at this meal.