Reclining in the bosom

 14Aug2010

The one nearest the heart gets the understanding, or perhaps I should say the revelation. They hear every heart beat, and feel the fullness of the love emitted from the heart., while the ones further away receive only the remnants. John, the disciple that Christ loved- all were invited, but John chose to lay his head on the Masters bosom, hearing every cry of Jesus heart that his life would not skip a beat in answer to it.
Even an infant knows its mother when resting in her bosom, by the heartbeat of the love felt for the one who gave birth, yet our Lords heartbeat gives life, being in Him and identified with Him. Reclining in the bosom.

The Last Supper is also referred to as reclining in the bosom. Our perception of the interpretation of the paintings of the Last supper, is of everyone sitting up right, in chairs at a table. Sitting upright as if at attention, yet He said I call you friends. Friends relax around friends, as they are comfortable. Had this portrait been done right, there would have been a table, but the chairs would have been something like our couches today, as this was the practice back in those ancient times. All were still reclining in His bosom but one made a choice to be closer and lay His head upon the Master chest.

There was a time that I used to serve guests at a table with chairs until I understood the relevance of reclining in the bosom.
I now have a new respect for eating in the living area, reclining on couches and in the bosom of those who I call friends, to give love and to receive love. So what if the couches get soiled, what is that compared to love and friendship? One is priceless and the other can be replaced.
Reclining in the bosom of Christ, where we can say to Him, here I am Lord, the disciple You love.