Farewell Party

I remember a going away party in 1978. My husband and I were preparing to move from Wisconsin to Ohio with our two girls. My parents invited all of the family, and a few friends, to a party. We were excited to begin this new life as a family of four, but were also sad to be leaving everyone we loved behind.

Until that point in time I had never been out of the state; I hadn't even been on an airplane. That one last gathering as family and loved ones marked the beginning of something, we just did not know what.

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.” (Luke 22:14-15)

In preparation for His leaving, Jesus planned a going-away party too.  He invited those closest to Him to come, to be with Him one last time on earth, as family. There must have been food and laughter around the table. With Jesus' season as teacher almost complete, it was time to prepare His followers for what was to come.

Gatherings like this are nice for the ones who are leaving, but they are necessary for those left behind. We need opportunities to say goodbye, to let folks know how much they mean to us and to give voice to those things that were still left unsaid. It is one last time to be honest and loving with one another.

"You are those who have stood by me in my trials." (Luke 22:28)

Imagine what was on Jesus' heart as He prepared to take the next step into His future.  He spent 3 years preparing His followers for this moment in time. He walked with them and loved them as they had never been loved before.

He showed, by example, how a real leader serves. He instilled in these favored men, a heart like His. They didn't know it at the time for, they were still clueless as to what being a friend of Jesus meant, but they would soon find out.

Holy Week is a time for reflection; a time for expressing love and for righting wrongs. It's time to make all things new once more. Lenten observation is the perfect time to get priorities straight, to open our hearts for Jesus to enter. It is a great time to plan a going-away party.

Luke 22:14-30