Day 630: Greatness - Luke 22 vs 24 - 30

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.  25-26 And Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”

28-30 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22:24-30 (English Standard Version)

The verse before the section we're looking at said: “They began to question one another as to which of them it could be who was going to do this.” It was the occasion of the last meal Jesus had with His twelve disciples before going to the cross, and He had just said that one of them was going to betray Him! Whether it was a result of their questioning one another, or at another stage during the meal, vs 24 tells us that an argument arose over ‘which of them would be greatest’.

Despite having heard Jesus' teaching and seen His lifestyle for some three years, they were still self focused and ambitious. That must have saddened the Lord's heart. But before judging them, many of us need to think of our own slow progress in putting Jesus' words into action. We also mustn't be shocked if a new Christian says or does something that belonged to their old lifestyle. Even after Jesus ascended to heaven and the Holy Spirit descended upon the Church, there were still times when believers behaved badly. How did Jesus correct their thinking? (vs 25-26)

Gentile rulers didn't have God's word to guide them so it was no surprise that they loved power over others, and to be seen as 'benefactors'. It wasn't just true then, it's been true throughout history. We've seen it in oriental rulers, and in dictatorships that came and went. Sadly, this desire to dominate others is rapidly growing again in our generation even in democracies. But Jesus pointed out that true greatness among men and women is not in being served, but in serving. He was able to point to the example He had set of taking a lower place so as to serve others. (vs 27)

This doesn't mean that there are not those who are called to be in charge of others, and who need to take responsibility in the world, and even in the Church. I don't know the full extent of what “sitting on thrones and judging the twelve tribes of Israel” implies. I see it as a figure of speech, but it suggests that some ARE called by God to more prominent roles. Why would the disciples be rewarded? (vs 28-30)

The fact that they were with Him at that moment of time meant that they had stuck by Him as the hostility of the religious leaders grew. Even then though, Jesus was being gracious, because in a few hours time they were going to flee for their lives. So even if we are called to positions of prominence or leadership we need to keep in mind how weak and unworthy we actually are. We see this in the apostle Paul who, despite the tremendous role God gave him, said: “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:7-8)

Let us never model our idea of greatness on the pattern we see in the world, but rather on what we see in the Lord Jesus Christ. May it ever be our desire not to be served by others, but to be someone who seeks their best welfare. Jesus washed the feet of the very disciples who argued which of them was the greatest! May we also humbly serve even those who disappoint us, or who may be difficult to love.