When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 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 until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves, for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.
A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, “The kings of the gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather, the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one 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, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
-Luke 22:14-30, NRSV
Dwelling in Abundant Forgiveness
It seems those first disciples of Jesus are not all that different from you or me. Given that, can’t we imagine them quickly scanning the table top, searching for whose hand rested there? Truth be told, wouldn’t you and I “sneak a peek” so we could reveal the identity of the one who would betray Jesus—drawing a line of righteous indignation between them and me? And yet, can’t we all be certain that any of the disciples—and any of us—have betrayed and denied Jesus? “…woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” This is a natural consequence for any of us when we betray Jesus. In that moment, our lives are “astray”. We are not reflecting that image and likeness of God in whom we were created. In those moments, our divine nature is cast aside. Woe to us!
Isn’t it more inviting to dwell in the thoughts of our “greatness” than to consider our sinfulness, those times we miss the mark? And yet, we are all forgiven, with a cup, a covenant, poured out for us. We don’t have to create a story of our greatness. In Jesus’ new covenant of forgiveness, we are awarded a kingdom!
As Advent is a time of preparation, a time of bringing Jesus into the world anew, maybe we could consider taking on a spiritual discipline that reflects Jesus’ action in this Gospel lesson: to forgive. Forgive those who betray us and forgive ourselves for having betrayed Jesus when we have acted carelessly without thought of our relationship with him. Maybe that forgiveness can become easier to give when we dwell in the abundant forgiveness that we are freely given by Jesus.
The Rev. Canon Tony Moon, Ph.D.
Priest
St. Augustine’s, OKC