A Seat at the Table

“Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” 

John 13:1, HCSB

I recently had the opportunity to host an event for my expectant daughter. The timing—a day before Holy Week—seemed interesting. As I created invites and decor, drew up seating arrangements and carefully penned each name on a place card, I thought about the table in the Upper Room where Jesus dined with the twelve. I sensed that He, who knows my story well, was inviting me to lean in.

When we imagine what the “Last Supper” may have looked like, many of us might think of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous work. This is how I’ve pictured it until I watched the latest season of The Chosen. My interest was piqued by the film’s portrayal of Judas being seated next to Jesus—on His left. 

A little digging and I learned that for this Passover feast, the disciples would have reclined in a Roman-style dining room furnished with couches positioned on three sides of a U-shaped table (referred to as a “triclinium”). Traditionally, a trusted friend would have been seated to the right of the host. The traditional spot to the host’s left would have been reserved for the guest of honor. 

It is generally believed that John was positioned to Jesus’ right (See John 13:25).. Scripture implies that Judas was seated close enough to dip bread into the same dish with Jesus (see Matthew 26:23). Is it possible then, that Judas would have been in the honored seat? I’m awed by the thought of it. Judas? Seated at the table — as guest of honor? 

I wonder. If Judas was in fact in that spot, did he seat himself there, or was the place purposely saved, for him?  Either is easy to imagine, right? If we stop and think about the way Jesus lived out His time on earth, the idea of Him giving Judas the honored seat doesn’t seem so far-fetched. In either case, Judas was there, given a place at the table—a seat that would put him close enough to be touched by Jesus. 

But, would he be touched? 

Judas knew. And Jesus knew. The disciple had wandered onto a path which would soon lead him to deliver the kiss of death (see Luke 22:1-6). Yet Jesus welcomed him. Broke bread with him. Was He giving space for a change of heart?  

I wonder what Judas thought when the King of the universe invited him to the table? What went through his mind when he was offered bread by the One he’d been paid to betray? Did he feel a little taller on the inside? Or, was he utterly undone to witness this act of unconditional extravagant love displayed by Love Himself? 

Just hours later, Jesus, bloodied and bruised, would carry His love for those twelve, for you, and for me— for every Judas that ever had been and ever would be born— to Calvary.  

Oh how Love loves. 

Like each one present that Passover evening, all are invited to His table. All are offered the opportunity to turn, surrender, receive Him, live forgiven, forever.

Hallelujah! 

“As His abundance of pardon passes our power to tell it, so does His abundance of love:  it is far as the east is from the west, high as the heaven is above the earth.  But words fail.  Love soars above them all. To look at ourselves leads to despair. Thank God, the Blood cleanseth.”

Amy Carmichael¹

¹Carmichael, Amy. If: What do I Know of Calvary Love? CLC Publications, 1938

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