APRIL 16, 2025

In Luke’s telling of the last supper, we are regaled by an incredible adventure in missing the point. Even in the written text there is so much peripheral arguing it’s hard to hear what Jesus is trying to say. I can’t imagine what it was like in person!

As Jesus pronounces His new covenant, the community leaders plot His death. Judas, sitting at the table, is waiting for His moment to trade Jesus’ life for money. Peter interrupts Jesus, insisting that he will never prove unfaithful. And, as Jesus tries to explain His coming betrayal and death, an argument breaks out over which of them is better than the others.

Can you imagine? Rather than listening to understand, or perhaps to help or comfort Jesus, they argue over which of them should get the biggest prize! Even after all this time with Jesus, literally at the midnight hour, these closest friends, followers, and confidants can’t see anything beyond their own egos.

Actually, I can imagine, and I’m guessing you can too. We fall into the same trap, don’t we? Jesus, His teaching, His sacrifice, becomes a feather in our caps, a piece of our identity we’re proud of, a holiday. It’s hard for us to understand, to follow, to re-format our lives around sacrificing for the Kingdom.

Let’s listen in:

“Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.’

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’

‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’

But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’

Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.’
Luke 22:1-6, 14-34

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • What do you think is going on in Judas’ head during this meal?
  • What about Peter?
  • What about the disciples, arguing about which is greater, even as Jesus proclaims His death?
  • Where do you fit into this scene?

 

Church Reading Plan: Exodus 27; John 6