The Passover greatly desired.
I. We cannot enter into the Divine intensity of this desire, but it would seem that the longing Christ had to eat this Passover with His disciples before He suffered arose, (1) from the consciousness that, in that hour and in that act He would for ever put an end to shadows, and bring in the substance of our redemption; (2) because that hour was the winding up of the long years in which He had waited for His bitter passion; (3) that last mournful Passover was a solace to the Son of Man. It was sad, but sweet.
II. What a light these words cast on the Blessed Sacrament which He then bequeathed to us, and on the law which binds us to it. For (1) it shows us that the Holy Sacrament is this last Passover continuing still. What was then begun is a perpetual celebration. In heaven and in earth, it is but one act still, one priesthood and one sacrifice. The Church is the upper chamber spread abroad; a sphere above this visible world, hanging over all the earth. It is in all lands, under all skies, upon the floods and in the mountains, in the wilderness and on trackless shores wherever two or three are gathered together, there is the upper chamber, and the paschal table, the disciples and the Lord of the true Passover, the Sacrifice and the Priest. (2) This may show us still further that with desire He desires still to eat this sacrament of His love with us, The first moving cause of this Divine desire is, that He may pour forth His blessings of power and grace upon us. (a) He desires to apply to us the benefits of His passion. (b) He desires to give Himself to be our spiritual food. (c) He desires to make us, even now in this life, behold His love. Love pent up withers away; but Divine love cannot be straitened; it is like the light of heaven which pours down in floods upon the earth. Our Redeemer is not only very God but very Man in all the truth of our humanity, and His human affections follow the laws of our perfect manhood. With desire He invites us to Himself, that He may show to our intimate consciousness the personal love which moved Him to give Himself, with full intention, for each several soul.
H. E. Manning, Sermons,vol. iv., p. 248.
Consider some of the reasons why the Saviour desired so earnestly to join in this last Passover before He suffered.
I. One reason was, that the Passover had now reached its end and found its full meaning.
II. Another reason was for the support of His own soul in the approaching struggle.
III. Christ desired to be present at the last Passover, because His friends needed special comfort.
IV. He desired it because it looked forward to all the future of His Church and people.
J. Ker, Sermons,p. 37.
References: Luke 22:15. R. Tuck, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xii., p. 195; J. Keble, Sermons on Various Occasions,p. 495.Luke 22:17-20. A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve,p. 359. Luke 22:19. A. P. Peabody, Ibid.,p. 111; Ibid.,vol. xix., p. 260; C. Stanford, Evening of Our Lord's Ministry,p. 52; H. J. Wilmot-Buxton, Waterside Mission Sermons,2nd series, No. i.; Sermons for Boys and Girls,p. 347; R. Tuck, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xiii., p. 142.Luke 22:19; Luke 22:20. Spurgeon, My Sermon Notes: Gospels and Acts,p. 106. Luke 22:20. H. P. Liddon, Thoughts on Present Church Troubles,p. 1.Luke 22:21-23. A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve,p. 380. Luke 22:24-30. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. iv., p. 333; Preacher's Monthly,vol. viii., p. 102; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iii., p. 24.