Mid-week Prayer Focus
Who is the Greatest?
Luke 22:24-30
Pastor Wes
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With many of the issues we in America and those around the world are facing, there seems to be a common denominator involved that makes things even worse. Information is being manipulated in order to benefit those doing the manipulating. Politicians, news agencies, social groups, individuals, youtubers, are all trying to benefit themselves or their particular group, by slandering those who oppose them. Facts are manipulated by different groups according to their agenda, and events are judged by divided groups- with opinions varying from one extreme to another. So many on social media are screaming out loudly and violently, without regard to the damage their words cause. And truth seems to be declared truth by whoever appears to have the loudest voice.
During the Lord’s last supper, in Luke 22:24, we see that there was a discussion among the disciples over which of them was regarded to be greatest. This discussion, back in the year 33, is now being played out in 2020 on a global scale. So many in today’s day are attempting to make their voice, their cause, their power, their future, their agenda- the greatest.
What the world needs right now, is people following the example of Jesus and living out their lives according to His teaching on greatness. Let’s look at this teaching together. Perhaps the disciples’ conversation of greatness came up after Jesus indicated that one of them would betray Him, or perhaps it was a result of them discussing who was going to do the lowly task of preparing the basin and water for the foot washing that was going to take place later. Jesus confronts their discussion by first saying in verse 25 “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’” Jesus was saying that the world in general, functions with those having authority, lording it over the people under them. Telling them what to do, what to say, what to give, where to go… not much has changed in that realm over the past 2000 years. And what was ridiculously hypocritical about this relationship is that those lording over others were often in that time called “Benefactors.” According to google, a benefactor is a person who gives money or other help to a person or cause. So, the people who were as “lords” over others, were given a title that credited them with a virtue that often they did not possess.
But Jesus says in the following verse 26, that this is not how His followers are to operate. In contrast, He tells them “the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.” Jesus Christ, the greatest man of all time, gives us the secret to being great. One who is great humbles Himself and serves others. One who is great doesn’t selfishly look out for his own benefit, but unselfishly looks out for the benefit of those around him. He says in verse 27 “I am among you as the one who serves.”
This is the principle that can heal our communities. Jesus has the answer for our world, and we as His followers need to be living out His life here on earth as His representatives. We as His followers must show greatness by serving.
Now that’s not an easy task by any means. When certain events, comments, news, orders, injustices take place- it’s so easy to pop off and bash others verbally, to get justifiably angry, to become highly defensive. And I want to encourage you as a follower of Jesus, not to let allow the spirit of the world to control you, as it does the world. The spirit of anger, the spirit of stepping on others in order to be elevated, the spirit of maliciousness, the spirit of pride, the spirit of twisting/manipulating/perverting. No, we are not of this world, we are not to fall in its traps. Jesus finishes His teaching in this passage with these words from verses 29 and 30 “just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
When we feel our blood boil over injustices, when we get emotionally charged over others attempting to “lord it” over others, may we not be tempted to act in like manner, but may we be reminded that we will have our justice, we will have our influence, we will have our reign in a Kingdom that Jesus will share with us. Now more than likely in verse 30, concerning judging the twelve tribes of Israel, that is probably referring to a role for the disciples alone. But we know from other verses that we too, as in all followers of Jesus, we will reign with Jesus in His kingdom and we will rule and we will judge with Him. 2 Timothy 2:12 “If we endure, we will also reign with Him.” Revelation 2:26-27 “He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, To him I will give authority over the nations and he shall rule them with a rod of iron…” 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 “Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? …Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?”
Believers- we will have our time of being exalted, in Jesus’ kingdom. For now, our response to this world needs to be one of humility, love, and concern for others. Now I am not saying that we should be quiet, roll over, and not stand up for our rights. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be vocal in standing up for biblical truth or for morality- no, may we boldly stand for truth, God given rights, for a high standard of morality. But may we do so, not through the world’s way of doing so, by manipulating, slandering, twisting, power grabbing, but may we stand firmly, boldly, and loudly as we seek to exalt Jesus by lovingly and humbly serving others. Stay tuned, next time we’re going to explore more in depth what exactly this serving looks like.