NEW WINE IN THE FATHER'S KINGDOM

Matthew 26:26-29
26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it, 28 for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”  (WEB)

Hebrews 12:1-2 says this about the hope that Jesus had when He looked toward the cross...
Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2 looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (WEB)

Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him. This hope is expressed in today's Scripture reading as well. As He celebrates the Passover meal with His friends, He tells them that He won't celebrate like this again until He is able to do it with them in His Father's Kingdom.

Jesus was already looking towards His resurrection and living for an eternity with the family that would now be able to be born of God because of His death on the cross. He was filled with hope even in the midst of the most difficult of circumstances.

My prayer today is that each one of us would be filled with hope too! No matter how difficult our current situation is, may the Holy Spirit give us the grace to be filled with hope knowing that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. (WEB)