Every time my attention is drawn to the scene of Jesus’s last meal with His disciples, my thoughts are filled with awe over the guest list. Even though Jesus knew Judas was preparing to betray three years of friendship for a purse filled with silver, He didn’t disinvite him or ask him to leave before He administered what we’ve come to know as the Lord’s Supper. Instead, He still extends Judas a piece of bread representing His body that would soon be broken.
Then, there is Peter. Jesus knows, despite Peter’s current undying devotion to Him, that in a matter of moments, when Jesus’s defeat seems imminent, Peter will desert Him. I’m not sure whose betrayal was worse. How could he deny knowing Jesus after seeing Him raise Jarius’s daughter from the dead? After Jesus so graciously healed his mother-in-law of her fever? How, after witnessing Jesus’s transfiguration as He spoke privately with Moses and Elijah? Yet, Jesus extends to Peter the cup representing His blood and bids him to drink. The other ten who would moments later fight over which one of them should be the greatest in God’s kingdom. What a trainwreck!
Jesus’s body was broken for those who betray Him for lesser temporal goods and experiences. Jesus’s blood poured out for those whose devotion to Him will wane under unpleasant and frightening circumstances. His body exalted to a cross for those seeking to exalt themselves before the eyes of others. He was humiliated by those filled with vain and self-centered pursuits. These are the ones on His guest list.
I know you’ve probably heard it before, but indulge me and let me say it to you again. No matter what you have done, Jesus extends you an invitation at His table. He bids you to bring your sins to Him and feast on the salvation He has brought about through His body and blood. There is more than enough bread and wine to cover it all. So, lift up your shameful head and take your seat at Christ’s table, rejoicing in the one whose body was broken and blood was poured out for you.
If you struggle to believe Christ’s grace is sufficient for forgiveness and your salvation, turn your eyes to this guest list, allowing it to stand as a testimony that there is more than enough room for you at the table. Take a seat and eat.
Thank You, Jesus, that You gave Your body and blood for me! You are my Savior and my eternal Hope.
Amen and Amen.
When I read these passages, my mind jumps ahead to the rest of the night and the next day. Jesus knowing what is coming, unselfishly, worries about His followers. Thank you my Savior.
Michelle P- I really loved your illustration of a child being invited to sit at the dinner table after they had done something wrong. I don’t have kids either but I have been that child. Jesus knows the worst about us, and yet despite who were are, we’re all invited to the table.
Ladies if you could pray- I am getting hit with a bunch of unpleasant finacial surprises that are making life harder than normally lately, one that is making me consider switching banks. I need prayer for wisdom in this decision and just endurance overall. These last few weeks have been hard.
Yana’s devotional was unbelievable, awe-inspiring and wonderful to read. The last several paragraphs reminded me of the song “Come to the Table” by Sidewalk Prophets here are some of the words:
“He said come to the table
Come join the sinners who have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior
Sit down and be set free
Come to the table
Come meet this mightly crew of misfits
These liars and these thieves
There’s no one unwelcome here
That sin and shame that you brought with you”
The first time I heard this song I cried. YouTube has a beautiful video to go along with the song.
Christ Jesus I thank You for suffering the way You did so I could be forgiven for my sins and have eternal life. I am a “misfit” who has faith but stumbles and becomes weak at times. Thank You for allowing me at Your table. My faith will not waiver but I can be weak at times. I know I can turn to You and Our Father when that happens. In God’s name, amen.
Be blessed and THERE IS ROOM for you and me at Christ’s table, no matter what, sisters.
Knowing Jesus sat with his betrayers knowing what they were going to do is amazing. I could never do that. Knowing He sits with me when I mess up brings such comfort and some tears.
Verse 7 stood out to me. “Then the Day of Unleavened Bread came when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.” Jesus, the ultimate Passover Lamb had to be sacrificed. The time came and He was willing. There will have been such weight on this meal, knowing that He would be the One to fulfill it. He provided the real deliverance, the ultimate passover of sin and punishment.
It still saddens me and astonishes me of how I believed myself to be a Christian my whole young life, yet compromised that relationship over and over in sinful lifestyle! Oh what a merciful God we serve! Most of the time I can honestly say that I didn’t realize the significance of the wedge that kept growing and the sadness God must have felt for his daughter. How could I call myself a follower and do the things I was doing I still can’t fathom. I was sure one of these or all mixed together, these disciples at the last supper. Jesus knew I would come to church and eat with him, then leave and go my own way each week. And I feel like that is many people today, so I try not to judge them in their sin, but just show them Jesus, and lead them to getting deeper into his word and examples. Then one day..we might get it! The aha, of my Lord, the Almighty is patient with us. What a beautiful thing. Come to the table. But lean into Him, and study his word daily (thank you SRT), and follow his commands…I hope to be a Peter or a Paul, or a David, or a Moses…we are all messed up and sinful, and set apart from God, But God…there is hope. And amazing Grace…how sweet the sound. It really resonate with me on this morning and most mornings when I am in fellowship with him…as a mighty Lord and Creator of all things, or a Father pulling me into his lap, or a friend holding my hand…He is all things, even a Holy Spirit inside me…sanctifying me daily to be what I need to be to live in eternity with him. Oh Glorious Day that will be! Praise God! Make this week a calling, coming in close to Jesus, sit at his feet and value his words to you. You are is daughter, no matter how messed up we are, he loves you, and adores you, and he can work all things for his good, and does.
@JLJ- Miss you sister and your beautiful, poetic thoughts! I pray all is okay.
I always focus on Judas ate too but really we all get to eat- Judas the betrayer, Peter the denier, the other disciples who were so vain and argued about who was the best, me the sinner and yet Jesus tells us “when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers”!! Sisters I am praying for us all – that we may go with boldness and share the love of Jesus with our neighbors, that we will treat thy neighbor with love and kindness and that most of all our eyes be fixed on Jesus so tightly that satan cannot sift us out!!!! Happy Monday!