A Place at the Table

Luke 22:14-23

“When the hour came, (Jesus) took his place at the table, and the apostles with him” (Luke 22:14). This is how Luke begins his account of the Last Supper. When it was time for the celebration Jesus and the disciples gathered in the upper room. It was natural, of course, for Jesus to have a “place at the table,” after all he was the leader of the group, and as Luke helps us to understand, he was (and is) the Messiah, the Son of God. What may seem troubling is a verse that comes later in the passage, where Jesus says, “But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table” (v. 21). Not only did Jesus have a place at the table, but so did Judas!

What does this mean? We may not betray Jesus the same way that Judas did, but all of us are willing to cast our lot with the world when it suits us. Ultimately our choices lead us to betray Jesus in our own ways, turning our backs on God’s will for our lives and treating each other with greed and self-interest. Yet, even sinful folks like you and me are welcome in the presence of Jesus. There is a place for us at the table as well. The meal that Jesus offers, then, is one of hope. In worship, gathered around the table, we find our identity as forgiven people. In confessing our sins we know we will receive pardon, and in the Lord’s Supper (or Communion, or Eucharist) we are given a share in the work of the body of Christ now, and a foretaste of that which is to come. This is one reason why I consider the communion table, the font, and the pulpit to be the “watchposts” of my own faith tradition, Presbyterianism, for it here that we actively await the fulfillment of God’s plan in history (Habakkuk 2:1).

Luke helps us to see that it is a big table to which we are invited. Jesus knows our sins. Nonetheless, he invites us to come and to take our place with him, with one another.

Prayer: Gracious and loving God, forgive us our sins and help us to live as your people, gathered around the table of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

So What's With the Jar of Water?

Luke 21:37-22:13

Sometimes it’s the little things that catch your attention in a scripture passage. For example, the following verse from Luke recounts a discussion concerning the preparation for the Passover meal. “‘Listen,’ (Jesus) said to them, ‘when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters…’” (Luke 22:10). So what’s the big deal about the jar of water? It must be worth noting or Luke would not have included it in the passage. Well, according to some commentators a man carrying a water jar would be doing “woman’s work” and therefore would be easy to spot in a crowd. So perhaps there were some prior arrangements involved on the part of Jesus, and an attempt to hide the place of the feast from Jesus’ enemies, which would explain all the secretive activity.

We need to be careful not to overanalyze scripture, of course, but apart from “woman’s work” the jar of water should also remind us of baptism and of the water of life of which Jesus speaks. It is reminiscent of the waters of chaos before creation and the flood that destroyed humanity—save for Noah and his family. Water also figures prominently in the Exodus account during which God divided both the Red Sea and the River Jordan and caused water to gush from the rock. Water is essential for survival and for cleanliness, and it provides a focal point for community life. That a man is seen doing the work of a woman is typical of Luke, the most inclusive of the four gospels. That the followers of Jesus should be told to follow man with a jar of water is very appropriate. That this jar leads to the Passover feast is also appropriate.

Signs and marks of God’s grace are all around us if we will simply open our eyes to see. A life lived in Christ is one filled with symbolism and meaning. Indeed, virtually anything can, in the right circumstances, act as a reminder of God’s presence and the love of Jesus Christ. If we overlook the “little” things in favor of only seeing the “big” things who knows what we will miss, what measures of grace will slide by us undetected. Best to pay attention to what God is up to. Best to watch for the water jars as well as the rainbows.

Prayer: God of life and light, help us to see with eyes of faith so that we may understand what you are about in our lives and can go about your work in response to your call. In Jesus’ name. Amen.