I don’t know how it is at your house, but at ours we each have a place at the kitchen table. We rarely sit in a different place, even when we have company. It was that way when the children were home, and it continued when they left.

I wonder if it was that way when the disciples sat with Jesus at meals or to celebrate the Passover. I know they prepared the Passover for Jesus (Matthew 26:19), but nothing is said about the seating arrangement.

The disciples were constantly arguing about who would be the greatest in His kingdom. Luke records that even the night Jesus was arrested as they sat together at the Passover feast, “A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest” (Luke 22:24).

So, if the disciples were arguing over a position in the kingdom, they were probably arguing over where they got to sit. Can’t you just hear them? Why can’t I sit next to Jesus, you sat by Him the last time. Why do I always have to sit at the end of the table?

There were several times when the disciples approached Jesus about who was the greatest or who would be the greatest in His kingdom. In Mark 9, Jesus asked the disciples what they had been discussing on the way to Capernaum, but they would not answer Him because they had been arguing among themselves.

Another time, in Matthew 20, the mother of James and John approached Jesus and asked that her two sons be allowed to sit at Jesus’ right and left hand in the kingdom. The other disciples became angry with James and John because of her request.

James and John knew what she had asked because Jesus addressed His remarks to them. “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink? They said to him, ‘We are able’. He said to them, ‘You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father’” (Matthew 20:22-23).

In the next few verses, Jesus explained true greatness. He told them to be a servant, be a slave, and serve. True greatness comes from those who humble themselves and become as little children like Jesus spoke of in Matthew 18.

I wonder if the disciples ever bragged about being one of Jesus’ followers? Human nature says they probably did. Yet when it came time to be recognized as a follower, all of the disciples ran away. Later, Peter swore he didn’t even know Jesus (Matthew 26:74).

It is easy for us to look at the stories of the disciples and see the faults in their lives. We can easily see the arrogance, the conceit, and the misguided attitude among Jesus’ followers; but what about us?

I have encountered some interesting attitudes about the Lord and His work. See if any of these sound familiar.

I don’t attend worship on Sunday night because I don’t like the preacher. His topics just don’t interest me.

I don’t visit because I have other things to do.

I can’t prepare food for a funeral because I work.

I can’t teach a Bible class because I can’t get there on time.

I don’t come to singing night because I can’t sing or I don’t like to sing.

These are just a few of the excuses I hear, and I noticed one thing as I started to list them. Every single one is “because I.” “I” is the focal point in each excuse. So how can these people who made these excuses expect to sit at the table with Jesus? How can one who is unwilling to serve expect to be a part of heaven? If you don’t want to worship or perform acts of service, I suspect you won’t be very happy in heaven.

Places at the table are reserved for the faithful. Will we be counted among the faithful?

Sandra Oliver