Isaiah describes a wonderful feast God is making for the people of God: rich food, good wine, everything of the best. It’s the same thing Jesus describes in so many of His parables—a wedding banquet hosted by a king for many guests. Of course, the king represents God, and the guests are everyone who trust in Him. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be there, says Jesus (Matthew 8:11b). And in Revelation God says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9b). This is a wonderful picture of what it will be like when Jesus returns, and we are with Him forever.
But if you read the text again, you can see that God is having something different for dinner. It says, “And He will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever” (Isaiah 25:7-8). What is this? It sounds like some sort of shroud, some deathly grave covering—not something anybody would want to swallow! But God is going to do it. He is going to get rid of it forever—where? On the mountain, on the hill we call Golgotha.
It was on the cross that Jesus willingly “ate death” for all mankind—so that we could eat at the table of God in His kingdom. He took death and sin into Himself, so intimately that they could not escape Him; and then He died and took them out of the world. Then Jesus rose from the dead, leaving them behind, breaking their power.
Now all of us will “eat life” at the table of God—both now, at Communion, and later, at the wonderful feast in God’s kingdom. Jesus gives us this life. He tells us, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh” (John 6:51).
THE PRAYER: Lord, thank You for swallowing up death for us. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. What is the food you like the most? The least?
2. Have you ever eaten something just to get rid of it? What was that like?
3. What are you looking forward to in God’s kingdom?