Preached by late Rev. John Martin, Staffin, at Glendale Communion on Saturday, 20th June, 1964.
(Taken down by a hearer)
Text: Luke, ch. 22, v. 15. “With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.”
There are three matters we wish to notice in connection with these words. In the first place something with regard to the company that was gathered here; the Saviour and His twelve disciples. Secondly, The reasons for the Saviour’s desire, and thirdly, the lessons that may be learned from this portion of the truth.
Firstly:— The company that were gathered here:
Jesus the alone mediator between God and man was here. He is not to be compared with Moses, who also acted as a mediator at the first passover. Moses was liable to sin, and was not permitted to enter the promised land, neither was he willing to go out from Egypt, but he had to go. This cannot be said regarding Christ, who was holy in Himself, and came willingly to do the great work of redemption; there was no hesitation here. “Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will O my God: yea thy law is within my heart”. He had God’s law in his heart and he loved it with a perfect love. Here with his disciples he had this love to God’s law. A greater than Aaron is here; Aaron was ordained without an oath, but Jesus, the great High priest of his people’s profession, was ordained by the oath of the Lord. “The Lord himself hath made an oath and will repent him never: of the order of Melchisedec Thou art a priest for ever.”
Moses and Aaron died and are still in their graves, but the grave could not hold Jesus, he was laid in the grave, but he rose again the third day after the power of an endless life, “A priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec”.
We have here also the twelve disciples; Peter who said concerning Jesus who was despised by the multitude, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God”. John and James were here also. James sealed his testimony with their blood.
There were eleven here who were the children of grace. The company was not large, but Judas Iscariot who should betray him was here also.
The time had come for the Lord Jesus and his twelve disciples to sit down to eat this the last passover supper. This was a solemn hour; the kings of the earth were gathered together, the powers of the world were gathered together and the forces of Satan were gathered together. The power and presence of these forces were known and felt by the Saviour. Jesus knew what his enemies had prepared for him and could say, Kings, Satan and the people are gathered together against me.
Secondly:— The reasons for the Saviour’s desire:
With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: to fulfil the Scriptures. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them”. There were only twelve here, but however few they may be if they are gathered together in his name, he will be in the midst of them.
The disciples might have expected joy and gladness since the Lord was with them, but they had to learn that they were poor and needy and liable to sin. The Lord’s people may think that with him they would have no tribulation, but they have to learn something of the powers that were assembled here as did the disciples. The Saviour is here saying goodbye to the passover, glorifying his Father, honouring his Father, shewing his love to his people, redeeming love. He knows that other solemn hour fast approaching, yet he is here with love to his people and here with desire.
The enemies desired to close this channel through which saving grace could flow to you and me. Satan desired to close this door. “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin”. Satan desired Christ and all his people to be in his power. He already had power over Judas and he was at the table. The Lord permitted this and it is a great mystery. But this was not enough for Satan, he must have more preparation for the battle of Calvary. The people, kings, priests and high priests were his allies and Judas the traitor too. One could say that he might conclude that the day was his but Satan was not satisfied with that. The hand of the one that should betray him was at the table with him. This was the awful revelation and struck terror into the hearts of the disciples. Jesus shows here that he knew Satan’s work. Peter was here and he knew no fear, was not the Lord there and the paschal lamb. Satan already had Judas in his grasp and Jesus says to Peter, “Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not”. Peter was not aware of his danger, he did not know of it, but the Lord told him. But now it can be nothing less than possession of the church of God, of all the elect. Jesus is the alone mediator between God and man, and he says to Peter, “I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not”. That is why you will be saved at last dear child of God, not only because of what he did for you at Calvary, but because Christ is interceding for you now, as the great high priest within the veil.
Full well he knew that Peter was to deny him and all the disciples to forsake him, yet he says, “With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer”. They all asked, Is it I? Is it I? This caused them grief and sorrow, yet he is there as their sun and shield and will shield them from Satan and death.
Thirdly:— The Lessons that may be learned:
We should desire to commemorate the death of Jesus, who made an end of death and brought in everlasting righteousness. His people are here in this place today, who have a good hope through grace, and should they not desire to keep the passover with him, to commemorate his death? He knew that the sword of divine justice was soon to smite him and that all the assembled hosts of men and devils were gathered together against him, yet he says, “With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer”. If you are here today in Glendale, and you are truly grieved in heart at the betrayal of Christ’s cause in this wicked and adulterous generation, then you ought to be at His table tomorrow.
You may have to say, I am weak, but know thou that he is strong in battle. If he is with you, why such fears and doubts? He was present at this feast in Jerusalem, yet his disciples had grief in their hearts. This is not heaven, this is the world of tribulation, this is the wilderness, but he has opened a door whereby all our needs may be supplied. “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. This is the gate of God. Child of grace see to it that you will be among those at his table here tomorrow. May he then give us grace, strength and spiritual encouragement to do what he commands on the morrow. “If ye love me keep my commandments” and this was his dying command to his children, “This do in remembrance of me”. May he bless his word.