Who's The Greatest?

Three of the gospel writers describe the Last Supper when Jesus gathered his 12 disciples together for the institution of the Lord’s Supper. 

Matthew describes the immediate preparation, eating the Passover meal, discussing the betrayer, instituting the Lord’s Supper, singing a hymn and leaving for the Mount of Olives. [Matthew 26:17-30].   Mark’s description matches Matthew’s.  [Mark 14:13-26]  Luke provides more details about the preparation and instituting the Lord’s Supper, briefly mentioning the betrayer, and concluding with a lengthy feud over which of the 12 disciples had most authority. [Lk 22:7-39]

A natural question: “Why squabble about greatness – especially when this was their last meal together?” A simple response, “Boys will be boys,” may be close to reality. But, there’s a bit more to it, specifically the seating arrangement at formal supper tables in Jesus’ era.

The famous painting of the Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci depicts Jesus at the center of the Twelve, all on one side of a long modern table. While the painting is priceless, the traditional seating was not seating – like sitting on chairs with your legs and feet under the table – but rather reclining. The very lesson we were taught not to do.

On low couches or on cushions, each one leaned on his left elbow with their head facing the low table, feet extended away from the table, allowing them to eat with their right hand. Dining tables were usually situated in the center of the room with the guests on three sides – in a U-shape - allowing open access to the table by servers. For the 13 men, it is possible that five

reclined on each side of the U-shape, and the remaining three at the top.

Additionally, positions of honor and servanthood were traditionally assigned to the couch locations around the table. The host was positioned at the top in the center, with the place of honor to his left – actually behind the reclining host – and a trusted guest to his right, in front of the host. The servant, if seated at the table, would occupy the last position – facing the host, but at the end of the U-shape, closest to the door.

Specifically, Jesus, the host, was at the center with John at his right [John 13:23-25], and Judas in the honored place behind Jesus. [Matthew 26:23] Peter was across from John [John 13:24], in the servant’s position. Oh oh. Not only did Peter miss the personal whispers between Jesus, John and Judas, he was quite aware that the host stuck him on the servant’s couch. Ouch.

Should we be shocked about a greatness debate? The betrayer is honored. John, a younger man, is the trusted friend, leaving Peter relegated to last on the food chain.  Guaranteed rumble.

But how similar were the Twelve and the Corinthian church when they assembled? “I have no praise for you,” Paul wrote, “for your meetings do more harm than good.” [1 Corinthians 11:17]  He continued, “When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat …” [11:20] The same trouble the 12 had: division between the servants and the served, the “haves” and the “have-nots.” [11:22]

Thankfully, the Lord’s Supper is for all believers – greaters and lessers, haves and have-nots, big sinners and small sinners. So Paul advised, “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.” - examine yourself, not elevate yourself. That advice still works today. It’s a level playing field around the bread and the cup. Who is greatest? Who cares.