Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 – Matthew 26
Our reading today brings us to the Lord’s table for the Last Supper. This is not the first time this week our readings have brought us to a dinner. On Monday we read the Parable of the Great Feast.
I like to think of the Last Supper as the parable in Matthew 22 come to life; a king invites a diverse group of imperfect people to a dinner. If you’ve read this story before, you know this dinner precedes the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, so it’s hard to argue that this dinner is celebratory in the same vein as a wedding feast.
This dinner, however, is a celebration as it is the Passover, the remembrance of God liberating the Israelites out of oppression from Egypt. Jesus uses this dinner to not only remember the liberation that has happened but to foretell the liberation that is to continue through his resurrection and reconciliation of all people back to God.
This meal is a somber event as the disciples hear the news that one of them will betray their teacher and another will deny ever knowing him. “It couldn’t be me!” they all utter in astonishment.
As Jesus breaks the news, Judas questions, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” It’s hard to tell whether Judas is attempting to convince Jesus, and maybe even himself, that he has no idea, or if he is filled with regret and disbelief that he has caused this. As the news of the evening continues with one of his faithful followers denying Jesus, Peter replies confidently with, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
The disciples find the reality of one of them betraying Jesus to be surprising, but what’s even more surprising is that despite the sins of these two, Jesus still hands them bread and wine, saying, “This is my body and blood. Take and eat and drink.” Peter and Judas are no different from the other 10 disciples at this table. This table is filled with 10 people who are simultaneously sinners and saints, disciples and outcasts, believers and betrayers. But these 10 are given bread and wine and are invited to eat and drink.
Further, you and I are no different from these disciples. We have all been Peter, and we’ve all been Judas. Despite it all, in the midst of our sin, Jesus remains the same. He treats us all the same, handing us all bread and wine. As we come up to the table, we are aware of the sins we have committed and the mistakes we have made, but as we are filled with the presence of God in the meal of his body and blood, we are reminded that we have been made new. You, my friend, are restored, forgiven, and reconciled to the very same God that restored, forgave, and reconciled the disciples at that table.
Take and eat and drink. Amen.
Questions for reflection:
- How are you reminded of God’s grace daily?
- Where else do you see yourself in the reading for today?
- Where do you see Jesus in your life today?