LUKE’S GOSPEL…THE HOUR HAS COME – 56

“When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭14‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What a moment for Jesus! “The hour has come!” Finally, the dreaded moment…and afterwards…the glorious new covenant!

“For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 

First, what did Jesus mean by “the fruit of the vine”? Literally, it meant the juice squeezed from grapes that was fermented and drunk as wine. Grapes were put under pressure until the juice was extracted! Did Jesus use this image to illustrate what He was about to endure? He was soon to go to Gethsemane – “the press”, where He was put under pressure until His perspiration flowed like blood flowing from a fresh wound.  

Second, not only was wine the product of grapes under pressure. It was also fermented to produce alcohol…matured and cured wine that has sybolic spiritual significance. 

Google AI says…

“In the Bible, wine functions as a symbol of joy, blessing, and divine favor, while also serving practical roles as a beverage, medicine, and element of worship. It is described as something that “gladdens the heart” (Psalm 104:15), represents the blood of the covenant, and is used to celebrate life…”

Jesus used the image of wine in His last celebration of Passover as the transition from the Old Covenant with its emphasis on law and performance, which He fulfilled and made obsolete, to the fully matured wine of the New Covenant and the inauguration of the era of God’s grace. This massive change would happen when His own life-blood would be “squeezed” from His body by the ”pressure” of crucifixion. 

What did Jesus mean…”until the kingdom of God comes”?

The opening words of His public ministry…

“After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…announced the soon arrival of the good news the Prophet Isaiah spoke of centuries before Jesus came…

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!””

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭52‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

After all the years of punishment and suffering for their disobedience to God’s covenant, epitomised by their persistence in worshipping idols, Isaiah announced the promise of the return of God’s reign.   

Jesus came in person to announce that the time had arrived. The restoration of God’s reign was on the horizon. When would it finally happen? 

At that moment, when Jesus passed the cup of wine to His disciples at that last Supper, He said, “The kingdom of God is on the brink of coming!” A few more hours until His last drop of blood would be shed, His last words spoken, His last breath drawn, and the curtain would come down on the final chapter of the era of “the Law” and its impossible demands. 

The heavy curtain, 60 ft long and 4in thick, in the temple, separating the presence of a holy God from His unholy people, was ripped in two from top to bottom at the moment when Jesus died. 

“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭50‬-‭51‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The return of God’s rule isn’t for some time in the distant future when Jesus returns to earth. The moment Jesus emerged from the tomb, risen and glorified, He stepped out as king. He occupies the throne of heaven at the right hand of the Father…

“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭32‬-‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is the evidence…

…and He shall reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.

Did the disciples, at that moment, understand the significance of Jesus’ words? I think not! They were still too busy jockeying for position in this “kingdom” of which Jesus spoke. They had no clue of what God’s kingdom meant. 

In the very centre of this holy moment…

“A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Really!

Pentecost changed their perception forever. 

When does Jesus “drink wine again” with His people in the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God has come! In part, it is here. Whenever His people fellowship together around His table, sharing in the symbols of His death that ushered in His reign, He is present, drinking of the fruit of the vine, celebrating His death and His victory. He is “drinking wine” with us. 

To be continued…