Day 2: Tension at the Table
Experiencing the Upper Room - A Good Friday Devotional Series
Rest.
This step is often the hardest for doers and busy bodies like me. A warm cup in my hand helps. Take a moment to settle into your seat, silence your mind, and savor that coffee. After a moment of silence, pray, “Speak Father, your child is listening.”
Read.
With four kiddos eleven and under, there is usually some level of tension at our dinner table. Child A wants to make Child B laugh despite Parent A asking Child A to quiet down. Parent B has to repeat to Child C for the twentieth time, please take a seat and eat your meat. All the while Parent A is trying to keep clothes on Child D. You get the drift. Tension at the Thompson table.
The table in the Upper Room was no exception. In the passage we just read, planned betrayal caused tension at the table. Passionate pride caused tension at the table. Proclaimed denial caused tension at the table.
And Jesus instigates the fight.
He starts by pointing out the betrayal, yet he does not point out the betrayer. If we had scrolled back to verse 3, we would have read that Satan entered Judas as he was not a born-again believer (just learned from the Wiersbe Commentary). And the chief priests (note “priests”) and Judas agreed on the plan and the price for Jesus’ betrayal. An amount that was no nest egg, but today could be compared to a cheap Xbox or a weeks worth of groceries.
As the tension at the table ensued over who would betray Jesus, another debate heated up. It sounded kind of like my kids fighting over who Mommy and Daddy loves best. The pride-filled question was proposed, “Well, who was considered the greatest disciple?” I mean we all want to know! Right?!
And if that wasn’t bad enough, the last supper concludes in this account with Jesus calling out his dear disciple, the one he called “beloved.” (Honestly, Peter would have probably gotten the “Most-Likely-to-be-on-God’s-Greatest-List” award.) Jesus had to let Peter know that his courage would fail, though eventually, his faith would not.
Tough times.
And the good-byes sounded like Jesus just dropped his disciples off at college. You know the, “Hey kid, you’re on your own now” speech.
End scene.
Wow. So what do we do with all the tension at the table?
For me, it has caused me to look inward. To prayerfully ask questions like, “How have I betrayed Jesus? What pride is hidden in my heart? Will my faith find courage or fail in the days ahead?”
As we remember the significance of the life of Christ and the cost of his sacrifice, I recommend we do the same. Let us reflect as the ones contributing to the tensions at the table with our pride, desire for money, and doubt.
Reflect.
(Grab a journal or quiet moment. Prayerfully ask and listen.)
How have I let money get in the way of my pursuit of you (Jesus)?
In what areas of my life, is my pride overshadowing you?
How can I stand up for you, Jesus? Strengthen my courage to do so.
Respond.
Father, Thank you that if we confess our sin you’re quick to forgive us. Thank you that despite our mess you still sent your Son. Sometimes we really wonder why. Why, when all this darkness is hidden in our hearts, you would still invite us into your light. It’s because you love us, isn’t it. It’s because you see us differently than we see ourselves, isn’t it. Please keep helping us experience your love and being enlightened to how you see us.
Not as failures but as forgiven.
Not as sinners but as your sons.
Not as dirty but as your daughters.
Amen.
If you feel led to respond in worship, check out this link (O the Blood by Kari Jobe).