BEING SERVED OR SERVING

Society has an upside down picture of greatness. People often judge true greatness by how much or power a person possesses. As model of greatness, we often choose athletes who have both power and money, but whose lives often are either selfish or immoral. Others point to film stars who have reached the pinnacle of their profession yet are many times consumed with their own little worlds. Some Christians emphasize humility and teach others that greatness is the opposite of humility. Untrue; pride is the opposite of humility. True greatness is found in serving others and living a life that will last beyond this life.

Luke 22 unfolds Judas’ plot to kill Jesus (vv. 1-6). While Judas plotted to betray Jesus, Jesus prepared His disciples for His death by observing a special Passover meal to celebrate with His disciples (vv. 7-13). When the hour came for the Passover meal to occur, Jesus gathered with the disciples in an upper room and assumed the role of host in the Passover ceremony with His disciples. He explained that He would not drink the wine of this ceremony again until the kingdom of God comes (vv. 14-18). In order for us to redefine greatness, we should begin with the example Jesus gave during the last supper to determine if it is found in serving or being served.

Read Luke 22:19-23 Remember Jesus’ Examples

Jesus embodied true greatness. He exhibited humility and a servant’s spirit throughout His earthly lifetime, continuing those qualities during the final weeks as He prepared to go to the cross. Jesus gathered with His disciples to be a servant both in the Passover meal described in our verses but also by washing the disciples’ feet. Luke’s account of the Last Supper mentions two cups- verses 17-18 and verse 20. The other accounts mention only one. Luke notes that the cup of verse 20 was taken “after supper”. He likely used these words to set apart the institution of the Lord’s Supper in verses 19-20 from the Passover meal itself. Luke 22:19-20 and the other New Testament references to the institution of the Lord’s Supper (Mark 14:12-26; Matt. 26:17-30; 1 Cor. 11:17-34) show why Christians observe the Lord’s Supper rather than the Passover. The divine deliverance of Israel from Egypt foreshadowed the deliverance from sin and death made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Reminder: the Passover was originally when the Israelites spread animal blood over their doors to prevent their first born from being killed when God used this as the final method to free Moses and his people. So Luke and the other Gospels clearly tell us Jesus used the bread and cup to represent His body and blood as the Last or Lord’s Supper.

Verse 22 shows two important aspects of the death of Jesus. From God’s point of view, the death of Jesus was God’s plan for human redemption. However, those who were responsible for His death are held accountable for what they did. Judas was not a helpless pawn in a divine drama; otherwise Jesus would not have pronounced judgment on him for betrayal. This was followed in verse 23 by being told that the disciples argued (HCSB) or inquired (KJV) among themselves. The disciples (remember Luke the author here was not a disciple), wrapped up in their own concerns, didn’t perceive what Jesus had been trying to tell them about His approaching death and resurrection. Jesus wanted the disciples to get their eyes off themselves and get ready for what He was about to experience. He wanted them to think about their commitment to Him and His teachings. The disciples showed little humility not following the example of their Savior who was about to die on the cross for their sin. Deep down, they surely had to know the potential for betrayal rested in each one of them. In fact, the only disciple mentioned at the cross was John (Luke 19:25-27). Apparently the disciples began to look at each other with suspicion, as if they would never have it in them to betray Jesus. They should have looked at the humility of Christ who served them the supper. Do you know why we use the term “Lord’s Supper” and not “Communion”?  (The definition of Communion includes “sacraments”, which is a reference to bread and wine actually becoming Jesus’ body and blood. We believe these are only symbols, so the Lord’s Supper is a more accurate term.)

Read Luke 22:24-27 Avoid Worldly Perspectives

The word “also” in verse 24 shows that the disciples moved from their discussion of who would betray Jesus to an argument about who deserved to be regarded as greatest. This fact that they would have such as argument at this time shows how out of touch they were with their Lord. The debate revealed their worldly perspective of greatness. If greatness is determined from the world’s point of view, it would include fame, power, money and position. The disciples quickly got off target by scrambling for position and power. They forgot the example Jesus gave them in the bread and wine. Jesus contrasted the worldly view of greatness with what they had witnessed at the Passover meal. He said that “kings of the Gentiles” exercised dominion over those that they ruled. Jesus used the term “benefactors” which often applied to those who had absolute authority over their subjects, whether gods or kings. These “benefactors” would often look out primarily for their own pleasure, good, or well-being. Jesus laid down His life for good of those who would follow Him, while the earthly rulers often took the lives of their subjects for their own whims. Jesus’ desire was that His disciples embrace His attitude of service, not the world’s way of domination.

So what did Jesus mean by “whoever is greatest among you must become like the youngest”?  (The youngest are considered the lowliest with the least standing. The way up for Jesus was down.)The greatest in Jesus’ order were those who took on the responsibilities of the younger who served their elders. The Jesus asked a leading question in verse 27 to help the disciples catch the point. He mentioned the person at the table and the one serving the table, then, He asked which of the two was greater. In our society normally the greatest are being served. Ask any waiter at a restaurant, and this idea of entitlement from the people they serve the waiter will encounter this attitude. Jesus explained the reversal of importance from the world’s view when He said “But I am among you as the One who serves”. Jesus described true greatness as humble living and self-sacrifice. Every Christian needs a servant’s heart.

Read Luke 22:28-30 Adopt a Kingdom Perspective

Jesus promised to give the disciples rights and privileges as leaders in His kingdom. They had adopted a Kingdom perspective to order their lives. Jesus would build His kingdom of such people. He called His disciples “the ones who stood by Me in My trials”. The disciples had remained with Jesus in spite of plots by religious leaders against His life. They had seen the fickleness of the crowds yet remained with Him. They invested in His kingdom rather than trying to build their own. Those who want to be served are more interested in their own kingdoms. Those who serve are more interested in His kingdom. In spite of the disciples’ dispute about who should be the greatest, it was still about their desire to serve in His kingdom.

The disciples had adopted a Kingdom perspective instead of a worldly one. So Jesus was saying that He would make a covenant with them for rewards in heaven. The idea (with a different Greek word) appears in Luke 12:32 for the Father making covenant with His people to give them the Kingdom. In this case Jesus makes the covenant and confers the Kingdom. Jesus offered to us the same Kingdom that the Father had given to Him. Jesus was indicating that the disciples would participate in the kingdom of God., which had present and future implications. The promise of future rewards in verses 28-30 needs to be viewed in light of verses 24-27. Jesus spoke words of assurance in verses 28-30. Because the disciples had continued with Him, He was assuring them they would share in the joys of the coming kingdom. However, He did not pace any of them in places of honor above others.

In the new Israel (New Heaven), the twelve will occupy places comparable to the places of the twelve tribes of ancient Israel. In heaven, we will experience the fullness of God’s kingdom without an environment inclined toward sin and trial. Jesus was describing two future rewards for us for living with a Kingdom perspective on earth. First, the faithful would eat and drink at His table in His kingdom. Second, the reward for living with a Kingdom perspective involved a responsibility in heaven. Jesus said that those who belong to His kingdom would sit on thrones. In Revelations 5:10, John heard the song of the 24 elders that said of the redeemed, “You made them a kingdom and priest to our God, and they will reign on the earth”. This means in the future we will reign over all the earth (Luke 22:29-30).

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