Reclining with Jesus

Matthew 26:17-30
The Last Supper
“On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. “I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:17-23, 25-28, 30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Reclining With Jesus

In my early twenties, I was a waitress. Some nights after work, I would try to get everyone together at my house for a fire. My best friend at the time pointed out how I always volunteered to host and bring people together, but then I would always sit back and watch, remaining mostly silent. My body language was welcoming and receptive, but never overly engaged. I took stock of this notion, and realized she was correct. Bringing people together is beautiful. I love nothing more than bringing the people I love most together, and watching them get along and have fun. Perhaps I should have been a matchmaker in a previous life?

This week reflects on the most important times in history, the death and resurrection of Jesus. This week many families will sit around a table, break bread with each other, and it will be beautiful. They will remember and reflect on who Jesus is, and what He did for us. Although, this can sometimes be a difficult topic to discuss and swallow. It’s not always comfortable to sit in the amount of love that was displayed for us.

Just the same, before Jesus fulfilled all the scriptures, He brought together those He had spent the most time with, and He sat back and watched, before He brought up a tough conversation.

Before we dive into the scripture, I want to point out one part of verse 20. Jesus was reclining. Jesus sat back and watched His twelve. Jesus was relaxed. As clear as the instructions were for the disciples to tell a specific man to ready his home for them to eat, the position of Jesus was explained. Body language is everything. The Bible did not say, Jesus paced, or Jesus sat up straight glaring. Jesus was reclining.

So many depictions of this scene have played Jesus out as confrontational or anxious and sad, but was it? I picture Jesus relaxed and here is why.

Jesus confronts reclined, because He knew where this was heading. He knew this was part of the process. “The son of man will go as it is written about him.”

But, Jesus knew the guilt Judas would feel. This is why He mentioned how Judas would have rather never been born at all than to have done what he did.

But here is the kicker, in the very next line, when Jesus broke bread, and passed the wine, He said “all.”

Someone who is bringing up an issue, who is stating facts for what it is, who is anxious or confrontational, would not share their body and soul in the very next moment. At least I know I wouldn’t. Jesus flipped tables when He was upset. Jesus went into gardens and escaped into valleys for time alone with God the father when He was anxious or sad. He didn’t recline.

I imagine Jesus giving Judas a chance to fess up. When he didn’t, Jesus knew it was set in stone for Him to fulfill the prophecy, and He broke bread and shared His body and soul with the one who had already betrayed Him. He forgave him, instantly.

Do you feel the gravity of that? We know the story. We know it had to happen, and my aren’t we thankful it did. However, when I picture this scene, the last supper, when Jesus says “all,” I picture me, I picture you. I picture the people we sit next to on Sunday and sometimes have no idea who they are.

So if you’re feeling out of touch, imagine sitting at a table with a reclined Jesus, repent, and share in relationship with His body and soul.

Reread these scriptures my friend. The way we are loved is nothing short of magnificent. I hope y’all have a fantastic Resurrection Day!