October 22

The Heavenly Feast

I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom. — Matt 26:29 BSB

The Lord’s Supper not only points back in time, it also points forward. It serves as a reminder of what happened almost two thousand years ago, but it is also a prophecy. Amid the symbols of sorrow, Christ wrote a promise of hope. He lifted the veil and gave us a glimpse of a glorious future beyond the shadows of this world. Even the Holy Supper, as precious as it is, is only a faint picture of something far better.

The disciples would no longer have Jesus with them at the table. This was their "last supper" together. His place at the table would be empty from then on. But as He told them this, He gave them a comforting promise—that one day they would sit down together again, not here on earth, but in His kingdom. These words offer a radiant hope. They point us to a future supper in glory, which in the book of Revelation is called “the marriage supper of the Lamb.” That future meal will also serve as a memorial of Christ’s death and His great love.

That night, when Jesus and His disciples gathered in the upper room, their hearts were heavy with sorrow. For Jesus, it was the looming shadow of the cross with all its pain and suffering; for the disciples, it was the shadow of loss and separation. But on the other side of the cloud, there was light. From Christ’s death came a glorious salvation, and now in heaven, He sees the fruit of His sacrifice and is satisfied. From the brief separation came an abiding presence of Christ that filled the disciples with joy. Jesus left them for a short time so that He could be with them forever. Out of the sad memories of that night came unspeakable joy.