Reclining at the Table

Luke 22:14  

“When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.”  

The hour always comes when we have to eat.  I heard a fact that a over half of the meals we eat over our lifetime are spent eating alone, making the other half eating with people. Eating with friends, family, and even co-workers, maybe even a stranger. Eating with friends is one of best things life can give you.  We have a whole holiday devoted just for eating for Pete’s sake.

Here we find Jesus and His disciples at the last supper.  This is the most iconic Christian pictures of all time; the Last Supper.  We see the painting of Jesus standing up with his arms out holding bread and wine and it appears that he blessing his disciples.  Leonardo da Vinci painted a great picture but he must have not studied Jewish culture. The disciples are gazing at Jesus like he is God in the flesh, which He is.  Jewish culture says that this is not what really happened. 

Our verse today says that Jesus “reclined” at the table.  He was not standing up but kind of laying down holding himself up by his elbows or casually leaning back on some pillows just like all of the disciples.  By now, the disciples had spent maybe three Passover meals with Jesus so this was not new to them.  Jesus was reclining at table, not standing, not being waited on but actually serving by washing the disciples feet.  He even washed Judas’ feet. 

Who is reclining at your table?  Even though Jesus knew what Judas was going to do, his compassion and love was not diverted nor did it skip over Judas.  The Bible says in Revelation 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” He is knocking at your door waiting to come in and recline at your table.  His love for all of us is not diverted because of our past mistakes or things we will do in future.  He is simply waiting for you to come to Him so he can wrap his arms around you and say welcome home. 

Today, take account of the ones around your table.  You may have some Judas’ or even a Peter who denies or even a Thomas who doubts but when Christ is at your table He forgives the denial, wins over the doubter, and even redeems the haters.