As he neared the end of his journey on earth, Jesus grew increasingly more focused on the task at hand—how his death would glorify the Father. He had to die a brutal death, and he knew it. Since eternity passed, the plan had been in place, and now was the time to complete it.
During the last Passover meal he would spend with his disciples, Jesus told them (using the language of the King James Bible), “With desire, I have desired to eat this Passover with you.” Jesus was moments away from entering into the greatest challenge of his mortal life, and he longed to spend this time with his disciples.
So much of a close personal relationship centers on what you as a Christ-follower does. Have you ever thought about what God thinks about a close personal relationship? I have written about the creation of mankind for the purpose of spending time together. I have conveyed stories about my close encounters with God, but I do not recall talking about how God feels about a close personal relationship with humanity.
Jesus offers profound insight in this encounter with his disciples. He deeply longed for or greatly anticipated meeting with them. He had his heart set on meeting with his disciples. One application suggests that which is forbidden, as a meaning for the word desire. Think of the images that congers up.
The doctor tells you that it is a matter of life and death that you must 10-pounds immediately. He places you on a very strict low carbohydrate, no sugar diet to assist you in losing weight. You leave his office, heading to your grocery store’s pharmacy to pick up the prescription he gave you.
You have to walk past the bakery to get to the pharmacy. As you enter the door, the aroma of fresh-baked bread rushes up your nostrils, causing your mouth to water with desire. The baker wheels out a delicious eight-inch high chocolate cake topped with plumb strawberries as you quickly rush by. Your eyes automatically turn to enjoy the view. Noticing you looking, the baker quickly reaches under the cart pulling out a perfectly sized chocolate-on-chocolate slice of cake, with a portion of strawberry on top. “It’s new,” she says, handing you the slice.
Can you imagine the intense desire permeating your body to reach out and take that wonderfully sublime piece of cake from her? That is the desire Jesus had when meeting his disciples that evening. That is also the godhead’s desire regarding a close personal relationship with you. The good news is that desire is not forbidden, genuinely real.
How remarkable that the God of all creation so passionately desires to meet with you? I am reminded of the old hymn In the Garden.
He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
The second verse and chorus
You are loved and highly sought after by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He sings me a beautiful song as we walk and talk. He declares his love for me as we hang out.