Around the Table

 
And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:14–38)

How many times have you been around a table with family or friends, enjoying each other’s company, and unity is broken by a disagreement? I have been around a table on a few occasions when a conversation turns sour by a difference of opinion or because of a harsh comment.

I find comfort in Scripture when people do things like I do or have experiences as I’ve had. In the holiest of moments, when Jesus is offering bread and the cup to His disciples, a dispute arises.

The disciples are arguing about which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. Jesus responded in a way much like He does throughout Scripture. He speaks in a seemingly “upside-down way” as it related to the culture into which He was speaking (and into ours today). He said, “The greatest among you becomes as the youngest and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at the table or one who serves?” Jesus exemplified for His disciples, through His life and ministry, servant leadership. It seems as if the one of greater importance would be the one reclining around the table being served, but the exact opposite is true. To lead well, you must serve well and consider others before yourself.

Jesus’ response to the dispute at the Last Supper reminds us that what we naturally value needs to be laid at Jesus’ feet to receive proper perspective. The things of this world that we desire to hold on to and have control over (our life, our position, our strength) must be submitted to our Heavenly Father.

I have always been struck by Da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper as I see how peaceful Jesus looks with disorder all around Him. Even though we do not know what the Last Supper looked like, we know we serve the Prince of Peace who loves us and can handle His disciples’ disputes. Through Christ, we can loosen our grip on things that the world around us values and look a little “upside down” to our culture. We can even walk-in peace when things around us are not peaceful.

LET US PRAY - Lord, thank You that You loved Your disciples in their imperfections. We, too, are flawed and predisposed to think in earthly, temporal ways. Help us draw close to Your teaching and lean into Your life-giving Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.