Our dining room was full of friends a couple of months ago. We laughed, ate a lot and had a good time being together. Stories were told, there was a discussion on politics, and also spiritual matters were discussed throughout the evening. It was a good time. That's what supper with friends is supposed to be.
Not so for Jesus as He gathered his disciples together for the meal we call "The Last Supper." The ragtag group of men were on their way to Jerusalem. The political scene was awful. Cruel Romans and corrupt priests held absolute power over the people. If you read the Gospel of John, you feel tension of the scene. It's as if Jerusalem is about to explode.
Jesus knew what the next 24 hours held in store. These men who claimed to be his friends were all liars and cowards. Judas betrayed him to the priests that night. Peter who so glibly spouted his allegiance, would in a few hours deny that he'd even known him. The rest would run to save themselves from the Roman soldiers and the temple guards.
But yet, Christ washed their feet, even of the one who would sell Him out for a measly 30 pieces of silver. The price of a slave. He told them that He loved each of them--even though He knew exactly what they were. Their weaknesses and their sins were all well known to the Savior. They wouldn't even be able to stay awake to pray with Him and yet He loved them. Jesus didn't tiptoe their sins, He told them straight out that everything was known to Him.
Not so for Jesus as He gathered his disciples together for the meal we call "The Last Supper." The ragtag group of men were on their way to Jerusalem. The political scene was awful. Cruel Romans and corrupt priests held absolute power over the people. If you read the Gospel of John, you feel tension of the scene. It's as if Jerusalem is about to explode.
Jesus knew what the next 24 hours held in store. These men who claimed to be his friends were all liars and cowards. Judas betrayed him to the priests that night. Peter who so glibly spouted his allegiance, would in a few hours deny that he'd even known him. The rest would run to save themselves from the Roman soldiers and the temple guards.
But yet, Christ washed their feet, even of the one who would sell Him out for a measly 30 pieces of silver. The price of a slave. He told them that He loved each of them--even though He knew exactly what they were. Their weaknesses and their sins were all well known to the Savior. They wouldn't even be able to stay awake to pray with Him and yet He loved them. Jesus didn't tiptoe their sins, He told them straight out that everything was known to Him.
"I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!" John 13:21
"But why can't I come now, Lord?" he asked. "I'm ready to die for you."
Jesus answered, "Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning,
you will deny three times that you even know me. John 13:37,38
Maundy Thursday-that remembrance of friends having supper together. It's a time of reflection on the Truth. The truth is we are all sinners, destined for hell. But He loves us. The truth is we can't make things right on our own, no matter what we do or say. But He loves us anyway. And even though we don't deserve it, Christ died for us to make it right. To make a way for a restored relationship with God, to give us real life that means something here on earth, and eternity in heaven. Because He loves us.
We don't like to hear the truth about ourselves. It's harsh and of course we want to think well of ourselves. After all, we're doing the best we can. Here's the truth: For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Romans 3:23. Here's some more: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23.
So that we could have this: "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation.For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." Romans 5:8-11
Someday I will sit around a table in Heaven with all the friends of God. What a grand day that will be! All because of His love. Will you be at the table?
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