Wisdom's Call: 30 Days in the House of Lifeنموونە

WHEN CREATING HANDS REDEEM

“I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:15–19)

A generous host anticipates not only what each guest will need, and not only what can be offered from the storehouses, cellars, and pantry, but the host also knows in advance what his guest already loves. When Christ says He fervently desires to eat this Passover with His own, this word fervently is packed with the knowledge of the ages, the preparations of the day, and the anticipation of the Lamb’s Supper that is to come in the glorified kingdom.

Our Lord had already scouted the location and sent ahead disciples Peter and John to secure it. They were to look for a man carrying a water jar, a man who would stand apart from the crowd for doing what was culturally considered woman’s work, which would mark him as doing the work of the Lord. The room boasted enough space to hold a table that would fit everyone chosen, everyone called, everyone appointed to be there, even the betrayer who dwelt in Folly’s house of destruction and self-will.

Who slaughtered the lamb at the appropriate sixth hour? Did John and Peter perform the task? A priest, perhaps? Or did Christ slaughter the lamb Himself?

As He thought of the lamb heading to slaughter, did Christ reminisce on the painful yet willing worship of Abraham, when he was asked to sacrifice Isaac and a ram was provided in the boy’s stead?

Perhaps the imprint of the recent slaughter played through the preparer’s mind as the horrific events unfolded. Tendons and bone, bloodshed, the last foreshadowed sacrifice before Christ’s own for the highest purpose possible. Such thoughts might cause One to shudder before the words of resolve: “Lord, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not My will but Yours be done.”

Whoever the preparation fell to, everything was in readiness when the Twelve arrived, likely in small groups to avoid detection. The meal unfolded in the perfect hands of the One who had witnessed all the events necessitating sacrifice for our sin in the first place. The same hands that fashioned humanity and made man in His image now broke the unleavened bread and poured the wine, only now they worked to redeem creation rather than fashion it. The same mouth that breathed life into man was now infusing the Passover with fulfilled meaning.

Shed blood, broken body, new covenant. The imperfect and temporary Passover was fulfilled, and the new and eternal Passover had come.

In Proverbs, the meal Wisdom prepares for the simple is but a small picture of what awaits the disciples in the life of Christ, and what awaits us all in glory. Just as in Wisdom’s house, place and details matter. They are an outgrowth of Wisdom’s character, and they appeal to God’s chosen as we all long for a table where we fit, that has been prepared, where we are welcome, and are forever changed for having accepted the invitation.

Wisdom Himself has set our table, and He knows what we need, what He offers, what we want, and what we love. He has commanded that we remember it as often as we are able, to sit and behold endless rows of platters overflowing with peace, love, redemption, forgiveness, and life. His food is nourishing and satisfies the fervent hunger of the soul.

And our greatest gift at the banquet—our Keepsake—is the flesh and blood, glorified presence of the Lamb.