Upside Down Kingdom Greatness
Luke 22:21-30
On the night before the cross, Jesus announces His betrayal. The disciples respond rightly at first — “Is it I?” But self-examination quickly dissolves into self-exaltation. A dispute arises about who is the greatest. In a moment that demanded surrender, they reached for status.
Jesus does not merely correct their argument — He redefines greatness. The kings of the Gentiles exercise authority through control and recognition. “But not so with you.” In Christ’s Kingdom, greatness descends. The leader serves. The greatest becomes like the youngest.
Before the cross has even happened, Jesus assigns them a Kingdom. The throne is not up for grabs. It is occupied. And, because Christ reigns now and will reign forever, we live faithfully in the present as citizens of the Kingdom.
