Today,we're looking at Luke chapter 22:24-30. Jesus has just revealed that Judas isHis betrayer, who went out to gather men to arrest Him and take Him to the highpriest to be crucified. Now, Jesus is still at the table with His disciples,and an astonishing thing happens next. In verse 24, a dispute arises among themabout which of them should be considered the greatest.
Thiswas not the first time the disciples had committed this sin (Matt. 20:20-28;Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48), but in the light of what their Lord had said anddone that evening, this latest exhibition was inexcusable. Perhaps the argumentgrew out of their speculating over who would betray Him, or there may have beensome jealousy over the way they had been seated at the table. When you areinterested in promoting yourself, it doesn't take much to start an argument.
It'sremarkable that after Jesus washed their feet, shared the Passover, andannounced His betrayal, the disciples are arguing over who will be the greatestin the kingdom. It still hasn’t dawned on them, despite Jesus telling themseveral times—back in Luke chapter 9—that He would be crucified. Their disputebegan even then, on the way to Jerusalem, about who would be the greatest. Ican imagine, with Judas among them, they were all thinking, "I’ll besitting next to Jesus in His kingdom, ruling over others." They weretrying to position themselves above one another as disciples of Christ.
It’ssad that this happens even in our churches today. As Jesus heard themdisputing, He taught them a lesson: "We’re not to be like the Gentiles. Inthe Roman Empire, people promote themselves, legally or illegally, doinganything to gain places of honor, power, and authority." It almost soundslike today—people lie, cheat, steal, and act corruptly to get to the top, evenin the corporate world. Jesus said, "That might be the way of theGentiles, who are called benefactors and given titles of honor, striving to berecognized, to be somebody, to be famous. Yet when they get there, they findit’s not what it seems."
Jesuscontinued, "It’s not going to be that way among My people. I’m theexample—I’m the one who serves." He pointed out that those who sit at thetable are honored, part of the authority, but He had just washed their feet,serving them. "That’s how it’s to be among you," He said. "In Mykingdom, the greatest is the one who serves."
OswaldChambers put it beautifully, saying we are to be doormats for people. Nobodylikes someone rubbing the dirt off their feet onto you, but Jesus said that’swhat we’re to be. I’ve always thought, if someone rubs their dirt off on me,hopefully they’re cleaner now, and thank God I have the opportunity to serve.It’s not always easy to have that attitude, but we look to Jesus as ourexample. In His “Sermon on the Mount of Beatitudes” in Matthew 5:44, Jesus taughtus what our response should be to those who step on us: “But I say to you,love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you,and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”.
Jesusclosed this lesson on servanthood by reminding them of their future reward inthe kingdom (Luke 22:28-30). In spite of their weaknesses and failures, thedisciples had stood by Jesus during His earthly ministry, and God would honorthem for their faithfulness. We should not mind being servants today, for weshall sit on thrones in the future kingdom! For that matter, our faithfulservice today is preparing us for the rewards we shall receive. Jesus has setthe example: first the cross, then the crown.
Wehave something to look forward to, but for now, we are servants—doormats forJesus. I trust you’ll be one for someone today as you serve them.
Godbless!
