Take a seat at the table . . . lean in.
- Christine DiGiacomo
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/39d48bb6/take-a-seat-at-the-table-lean-in-easter-2026
It is Passover, beginning today.
As Jesus has arrived, Jerusalem is full to overflowing with people … yet he and his disciples have managed to find a room to share the sacred meal together that Thursday evening. Little did the disciples know that this would be their last meal with the Lord before he is crucified.
As though you and I were one of them, let’s follow the disciples up the stairs that day to the Upper Room and consider what we might see as we come through the doorway: the table is low to the ground—at least, low by today’s standards in most areas of the world … there are no chairs, folks sit on the floor, their legs to the side usually—so they are quite near one another. Dirty feet would be anathema … do you see? Peter and John have made preparations for the meal and savory aromas abound as the rest of the men arrive.
Near the door is the basin and towel, as is customary, so that sandaled feet might be cleansed; (not a man would think of finding his seat at the table without cleansing his very dirty feet!) But wait … there is no servant to do the washing as the men look from one to the other. Only servants wash other folks’ feet; why, it is forbidden even for disciples to wash the feet of their rabbis! Yet, there is no servant to carry out such an unpleasant service.
But then, Jesus . . . Jesus takes off his outer cloak, ties a towel around his waist, takes the basin, fills it with water and kneels down to take the first disciple’s dirty feet into his hands to cleanse. “But, Lord!” Too late. Jesus is about to give them the object lesson of their lifetimes, and ours too. Jesus, the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, stoops to wash the dirt off his disciples’ feet. Because. love. serves.
O, to be 'round that table and hear Jesus' words to the men he loved most in all the world. The 'one who Jesus loved'1 captures a lot of what Jesus has to say in his gospel, chapters 13 through 17. Take 5 minutes and read or listen to the heart of Jesus: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2013-17&version=ESV
Perhaps you could print it out, underline key words, or read it in your Bible--ask God for understanding and insight as you read; you will discover such truths as:
-I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.2
-Whoever has seen me has seen the Father3
-And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever4
-But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.5
-I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.6
"Why these verses?" you ask, and rightfully so. Because I prayed first and then started rereading familiar verses in my heart and mind, and on this day, these verses came alive. [Click the link above and read or listen for yourself, speaker icon on left side, fifth in the row]
-When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth7
-I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.8
John includes Jesus' prayer for his disciples as he was about to leave them in chapter 17; it is powerful and includes:
-I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.9
"And when they had sung a hymn together, they went out to the Mt. of Olives."10
I think Jesus probably sang tenor, but I am wondering what song they sung...'you? Did the disciples sing in rich harmony? I wonder.
And may I point out that this is the richness of the variations in the gospel; Matthew and Mark included this detail, while Luke and John did not. hmmm... Does not mean there is a lack of veracity in the text, but that two thought it noteworthy, two not so much. O, how I love the Words of God, inspired by our very detail-oriented Father in Heaven.
Sacred Thursday. So very much happened on that Passover Day. From the Upper Room table to the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas sets the next act in motion. Yesterday, I encouraged you to get outside and get alone with God this week--a park, the beach, at the river's edge, next to a pond, or your backyard or porch. And now, I encourage you to read through these final words of Jesus to his main men, John 13-17.
Apprehend some of Jesus' words for yourself, for your heart. Jesus' words are oft called the red-letter words. . . listen to the song:
The words of Jesus feed our souls,
Christine
1 - John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, and 21:20.
2 - John 14.3
3 - John 14.9b
4 - John 14.16
5 - John 14.26-27
6 - John 15.5
7 - John 15.13
8 - John 16.33
9 - John 17.15
10 - Matthew 26.30; Mark 14.26
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