Everyone at the Table
Photo from RedeemerofIsrael.org.
According to John’s Gospel account, in John, chapter thirteen, Jesus arose from the Passover meal with his disciples and began to wash his disciple’s feet. All of his disciples, even Judas, whom he knew was about to betray him. The text says, “During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him” (John 13:2, ESV).
The next verses tell us, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:3-5, ESV).
The first century seating arrangement, at what most likely would have been a triclinium table, dictated that the last seat at the table was meant for the servant, and if a servant was not available, it would have been the job of the person at the lowliest position at the table to wash the feet of the guests. This job would have fallen to Peter, who was most likely seated in that last seat, which is why when Jesus begins to wash the disciple’s feet, Peter protests vehemently.
The text tells us “He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, do you wash my feet?’ Jesus answered him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.’” (John 13:6-8, ESV).
The Passover seating protocol and the Biblical text also tells us Jesus, the host of the feast, is seated with his friend the Apostle John to his right. John leaned in on Jesus’ breast at the meal to communicate (John 13:23). Judas, the the guest of honor, was to Jesus’ left, allowing Jesus to lean on to Judas’ breast, and to honor him by giving him the fist “sop” at the meal, and to “dip with him” (John 13:26).
Jesus commanded the disciples to love one another just as he had loved them, even his betrayer who was at the table, and even Peter who would deny him later on. Jesus washed the feet of everyone at the table, even those who would flee from the garden when Jesus was betrayed. And everyone at the table was commanded to love one another and to do what he had done for them.
John tells us, “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.’” (John 13:12-15, ESV).
May we embrace the love Jesus has shown us and live into the divine mandate to love one another and to do for one another that which Jesus has done for us.
A Collect for Maundy Thursday: “Almighty Father, whose most dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it in thankful remembrance of Jesus Christ our Savior, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
Download #Cultivate365 a #free #devotional book for each month, a devotional for every day of the year, by subscribing here: www.robbiepruitt.com.
Photo from RedeemerofIsrael.org.
