Today’s Daily Bread ~ Blessed Anticipation

Matthew 26:29 – Mark my words, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.

My husband and I have been married six years (as of July 2010), together a total of eight years.  When he proposed, I had absolutely no idea it was coming.  We had planned a vacation together to celebrate our one year anniversary (of dating), and picked Napa Valley, California as the destination.

I had never been, but Mike had.  I couldn’t wait to go, and he couldn’t wait to show me around.

We had spent the night in San Francisco, and were up bright and early to hit the road.  So early that there was no time to stop for breakfast (and I do love my breakfast).  After one or two wineries, I needed to eat.

We pulled up to Domain Chandon, the champagne winery on the Sonoma side.  Mike was acting anxious and irritated, and I was getting frustrated that he was putting a damper on our trip.  After lunch, he wanted to take a walk.  “Ok, let me just hit the ladies room first,” I said.  Insert LONG IRRITATED SIGH from Mike.

Once we were walking down the path, I decided I’d had it with the attitude.  “What is the matter with you?” I asked?  “Bec, please don’t do this now!  I just don’t want to argue right now!”  I chomped down on my tongue to hold in my sharp retort, and decided to let it fly.  That’s when he dropped down on one knee…and I became a fiancé instead of a girlfriend.

We were both ecstatic, and eventually made it up to the winery for a celebratory glass of champagne.  We also bought two bottles, one for our wedding night, and one for our first anniversary as a married couple. That first year of our marriage, I can remember picking it up, and smiling at the thought of popping the cork, sharing a glass, and remembering both the proposal and our wedding.

Anticipation is a powerful thing, isn’t it?  You meticulously plan for the big event, and dream of the day it arrives.  Do you realize that Jesus is waiting in a state of anticipation…for you?  Just like a child counts down the days until Christmas, Jesus is eagerly awaiting the day you are forever in His Presence.

The night Jesus spoke the words recorded in Matthew 26:29 was the night He was betrayed…the night before His crucifixion.  He broke the bread, passed it to the disciples and explained that it symbolized His body, broken for all who would believe in Him and call on His name.  Then He passed the cup of wine, illustrating it as His blood, poured out for the sins of many.  Then He looked at each of them, and told them that He would not partake in the wine again until He had His own gathered around Him at the Great Feast.

No one knows the date or time, but you can be sure that all of Heaven is eagerly awaiting the day when Christ returns to earth, gathering His beloved to Himself. King David wrote, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” If you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, and you have accepted Him as your personal Savior, then there is a seat at the table for you.  And Jesus will not pour the wine until you arrive.  Knowing this…can you think of anyone who needs an invitation?

Dear Heavenly Father, it is so difficult to grasp how much You love us.  You tell us that the very hairs on our heads are all numbered.  Rather than spend eternity without us, You let Your perfect, Holy Son die the most horrific sinner’s death on the cross.  How can we not praise Your Name?  How can we not fall to our knees in worship?  Lord we pray that we would feel Your Holy Spirit surround us today.  We ask that we would sense Your Presence all day.  Convict us when we stray, Lord.  We so look forward to Your Heavenly Feast, and we ask You to strengthen us to offer up as many invitations as we can while we’re here.  We pray these things in the blessed, perfect name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.