Jesus Longed

What Did Jesus Do?

I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
Luke 22.15

Poor Ol' Charlie Brown and his eternal longing for the “Little red-haired girl.” How many years has Chuck been longing to go up and say “Hi” and been too nervous and shy to act? Apparently Charlie Brown's desiring isn't quite earnest enough for him to have the courage to actually do more than burden Linus with all his unfulfilled dreams and wishes. I confess I have earnestly desired to return to Israel, having made an absolutely stunning visit in 2000. Fortunately for me, I know my longing will be fulfilled, even if I never again travel to Palestine. Since God has declared Zion his resting place forever, the dwelling he has desired and longed-for (See Psalm 132), and, since we are promised an eternity with him (See Revelation 21.1-7), the “new Jerusalem” will be my forwarding address when I die. Earnest desires, longings, are something we all have experienced, even Jesus longed.

Luke recorded an occasion which revealed an early longing of the Lord. When He was just twelve-years-old the Son's earnest desire to be about His Father's will already evident (Luke 2.41-49). It was a desire that would only grow keener over the years. Jesus longed to serve His Father.

When the time came for Him to undertake His ministry, the Lord's earnest desire was to preach the good news of the kingdom of God in the many villages and towns of not only Galilee, but throughout Judea (Luke 4.43-44). Jesus longed to preach the gospel.

The Good Shepherd, Jesus had an earnest desire to call sheep not of the fold of Israel to come to Him, and He knew they would listen to His voice (John 10.16). Jesus longed for His flock, both Jew and Gentile, to be one.

When, on the night before He would be crucified, the Lord prayed what is known as His “high priestly prayer,” the Son expressed to the Father His earnest desire for His disciples to be with Him in His glory (John 17.24) Jesus longed for His followers' eternal life with Him.

That same night, the Lord's earnest desire was to eat not just the Passover meal with His disciples, but a new Passover. It was a meal Christ will not again eat until the fulfillment of kingdom of God, but which His followers celebrate regularly in remembrance of Him (Luke 22.14-20). Jesus longed for the Passover which inaugurated a new covenant, though it required the sacrifice of His own body and blood for our sake.

All of us have earnest desires. Some long for health. Some long for a new home. Some long for food and drink that will satisfy their hunger and thirst. Some long for peace. The simple truth is, Jesus alone is the fulfillment of our longings, the “joy of our desiring” (see J.S. Bach's cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben). Christ's most earnest desire was to be our longing, and He lived, died, and rose again that it would be so. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4