Ep. 112: The Greatest?
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LUKE 22:24-30
As the Jewish Law directed, they reclined on pillows around a low table, each resting on his left hand, to leave the right free. Sadly, humiliating as it reads and almost incredible as it seems, the Supper began with ‘a contention among them, which of them should be accounted to be greatest.’ We can have no doubt that its occasion was the order in which they should occupy places at the table. We know that this was a subject of general contention among the Pharisees and that the disciples followed suit, desiring to be seated according to their rank.
From the Gospels, we assume that John must have reclined next to Jesus, on his right-hand side, since otherwise. He could not have leaned back on him. This would be at one end, the head of the table, at one end of the couches. We can form a picture of the arrangement. Around a low table, oval or rather elongated, two parts covered with a cloth and standing or else suspended, the single divans or pillows are ranged in the form of an elongated horseshoe, leaving free one end of the table.
The chief place next to Jesus would be that to his left and we believe it to have been actually occupied by Judas. So, when Jesus whispered to John by what sign to recognise the traitor, none of the other disciples heard it. It also explains how Jesus would hand the sop to Judas first, beginning with him as the chief guest at the table, without attracting special notice. As regards Peter, we can quite understand how, when the Lord with such loving words rebuked their self-seeking and taught them of the greatness of Christian humility. He should, feeling shameful, have rushed to take the lowest place at the other end of the table. Finally, we can now understand how Peter could beckon to John, who sat at the opposite end and ask him across the table, who is the traitor?
The rest of the disciples would occupy such places as were most convenient or suited their fellowship with one another. Having reminded them of the qualities needed by those in the Kingdom. He pointed them to himself as their example. The reference here is not to the act of symbolic foot-washing, but to the nature of his whole life and the object of his mission, as of One who served, not as One who was served.
This is an extract from the book, Jesus : Life and Times, available for £10 here (Finalist for Academic Book of the year at 2023 CRT awards)