RECLINING

“When it was evening He came with the twelve. As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, "Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me--one who is eating with Me.,”John 9:4.

There is just something about a recliner. After a busy day, those old ‘lazy boys’ are inviting. A little leaning back and the day’s cares disappear. Well, maybe not disappear, but for a few refreshing moments, you have an opportunity to collect yourself.

When the disciples and Jesus gathered in the upper room for the Passover meal, they had been pressed on every side. But now, during these brief moments, while celebrating the remembrance of the blood-bought deliverance of God’s people, they reclined with the Lamb. Gathering them to His side, Jesus focused their thoughts and refreshed their spirits.

Even though one chose not to draw near, the others did. In a room prepared by the grace of God, the Lamb of God prepared them … prepared them for an unthinkable denial … prepared them for the fulfillment of His sacrifice … prepared them for an even more difficult, but victorious journey.

Communion with Christ provides ‘reclining moments’ for spiritual leaders. The Lamb of God continues to invite His disciples to draw near to Him, to His finished work, to His cross. Today, as we recline with Jesus in the ‘upper room of His presence’, He refreshes His disciples and renews their Vision of the Mission of His Cross.

There isn’t anyone better to lean upon than Jesus. And there isn’t any better place to recline, than in the shadow of His Cross. As the hymn writer penned, “Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land.”