A Table for Betrayers

Based on Matthew 26:17-56

~

All of you will stumble because of me. Matthew 26:31

Surely not I, Lord? I, who have followed you in the good and bad and hard and easy

I, who have sought to lead others in the way to see

I, who have desired so deeply to be led by you in my definitions

and perceptions

and strategies

and prayers?

Others stumble and take offense, but surely I, Jesus,

Won't join them there?

Assuredly I say to you, you will deny me.

I will die, not deny, Jesus, no, not I

I will die, not deny, so promise I

To death I will follow, your ways are mine

I will not deny the dying, for dying is life.

Yes, I know all the words to say, I have been taught well

"In losing life we find it"... the poetry is swell

But then comes the moment

In the thickest of the thickets

That I draw on my sword instead of my Savior

And in one fell swoop, I pick it:

A life marked by warring

And word-for-word sparring

Judgmental thoughts and holier-than-thous

It's easy to serve until the cross is the bough

That is placed upon the mantle

Of my life, now the canticle

Of all my former ways at stand-still:

Don't let me lose the point, Lord

Of the broken bread and cup

All of your betrayers at the table

Offered redemption by a love

That denies the claim to swords and power

For the sake of me, most lowly

All of the betrayers at the table:

What else could be so holy?

That you, knowing all I am

And all I'll ever be

Would still offer me the only drink

That could ever set me free

From "my church," "this way,"

And all I think I know

It all falls flat when I fall asleep

And leave you praying all alone

How could I think I could make it up

By cutting off an ear

Instead of passing both the bread and cup

And letting go of fear

The life I must lose is a life of lack

And dictating "out" or "in"

For yours is the table for betrayers

Who yet you call as friends

~ S.B., April 2, 2026

Maundy Thursday

From iStock photos