From Matthew 26:14-25

I am genuinely curious as to what the disciples were thinking at this meal.  In Matthew 26:20-23, Jesus pretty explicitly tells the disciples that someone at the table would betray Him and it seems that the finger points to Judas. It seems out of character for the disciples to not react strongly.  Peter doesn’t pull out a sword, the Sons of Thunder don’t start rebuking Judas, the meal seems to continue pretty much uninterrupted.  Did the disciples think Jesus meant some non-threatening form of betrayal?  Did they think He was making a really un-funny joke?  Were they totally oblivious to everything that was going on at the table?  And while I’m sharing my curiosity, what did Jesus intend to accomplish with this conversation?  Was He issuing a dire warning to Judas to try and change the course of his actions?  Or was He trying to make a point?

Two lessons come to mind when I see Jesus at the table with the disciples.  First is that when Jesus references “he who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me,” it could be in reference to all the disciples. The Lutheran Study Bible notes that “banqueters often dipped their bread into a common dish of sauce.” It seems to me that at this point in the meal, all of the disciples might have dipped their hands in the dish with Jesus.  That would point to all of them as betrayers.  While none of them betrayed Him as seriously as Judas will, each of the disciples abandon Jesus at some point in His journey to the cross, each of the disciples will betray Jesus to some extent.  Second is that Jesus does not end the meal; in fact, He goes on to institute the Lord’s Supper!  Jesus in His earthly ministry has shown His willingness to dine with sinners and broken people.  Here, He shows His willingness to dine with betrayer(s).

We sometimes betray our faith, betray our Lord with our thoughts, our words, and our actions.  But Jesus still promises to meet us at the table for the Lord’s Supper, He still promises to come to us with forgiveness, mercy, and grace.  Here in Matthew, we see Jesus character in a way that reassures us that He will always be there with love and forgiveness – no matter how broken or sinful we are.

Focus on God

We are reminded in these verses that God graciously dines even with those who would betray Him.

Function in Our Lives

We are encouraged to look on the people around us with an eye of grace.

Topics to Pray About:                                                              

  • Thank God for the grace and mercy He has for us
  • Confess to God times where you look down on others whose brokenness is more visible than yours
  • Ask God to lead you to rest in the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection

In His Service,

J. LeBorious