The Last Supper Argument: Luke 22:21-30

All too often, when we . . . actually I should probably say I, since this might just be me.

All too often, when I think of a well-known event, I think of only the gospels that are the most quoted from. Perhaps you are like this too. Many people have a preferred gospel for specific events, and where there are different details included, often we will simply lean towards the most detailed one, or the one that has the wording we like the most.

Unless this is your first or second podcast episode, you know that for the past several episodes, we have been moving through the week leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. This episode marks the first big event that all four gospels include: the last supper.

One thing that fascinates me about this event is that each gospel writer seems to give some unique detail that the others leave out. Many of the gospel writers share similar details, but each one includes something the other three chose to leave out.

When reading about the Last Supper, most people seem to gravitate to reading either Matthew’s version of this event or John’s. I can understand this as those two gospel writers, when put together, include the most detail surrounding what many Christians today call the communion ceremony.

However, by focusing on only Matthew and John, we ultimately miss out on a detail that only Luke’s gospel includes.

I suspect that since most people see the Last Supper as being like many communion ceremonies, most people likely believe that this supper was a formal, somber, and quiet meal, and following Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, they were all in shock and were quiet for most of the rest of the meal.

But this was not the case. Luke’s gospel includes the detail that an argument breaks out among the disciples during the Last Supper, and Luke also includes Jesus’ response. Our passage is found in Luke, chapter 22, and we will read it using the New Century Version. Starting in verse 14, Luke tells us that:

²⁴ The apostles also began to argue about which one of them was the most important. ²⁵ But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the non-Jewish people rule over them, and those who have authority over others like to be called ‘friends of the people.’ ²⁶ But you must not be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the leader should be like the servant. ²⁷ Who is more important: the one sitting at the table or the one serving? You think the one at the table is more important, but I am like a servant among you.

When reading the context and order of events within Luke’s gospel, we learn that this argument breaks out after the supper itself, and when including the details found in John’s gospel, Luke’s argument would also have happened after the disciples’ feet were washed.

Those familiar with the gospels know that this argument was not the first time the disciples argued about who was the greatest among them. However, unless I’m missing something, this argument would be the last time. After Jesus’ betrayal and arrest that night, all of the disciples scatter, and after they all failed Jesus, they don’t seem very interested in comparing how great they are.

However, within Jesus’ response to the disciples in Luke’s gospel, we find a not so intuitive truth hinted at. While it is easy for us to get swept up in the cultural norm of thinking that the people at the top of the corporate ladder are the most important, and that those sitting at the boardroom table are the most significant, Jesus’ message to these arguing disciples says something different. According to Jesus, it is not those sitting at the table who are the most important; instead, those who are serving others are actually the most important. Within Jesus’ perspective, while decisions are made while sitting at tables, the service that happens independent of the decision-making is more important.

It’s worth pointing out that both the decisions at the table and the service that happens away from the table are important. However, if we understand Jesus’ words, those serving others are the true “friends of the people”.

This also brings out another subtle truth: those who have authority like to have the reputation that they are friends of the people. The implication is that they talk a good talk while they only superficially “help”. This stereotypical leader will do what is convenient for them in whatever moment they are in, and only if it is convenient do they help others. However, after helping someone, those who want to build themselves up talk about what they did and frame it as though it is a big deal. What was likely a 30 second act of kindness is ultimately leveraged into a story that is shared 3 or more years later about how they care – regardless of any caring actions done before or since.

While this sounds negative and perhaps a little cynical, the reason for me sharing this is because Jesus says that His followers are to be different. Instead of focusing on our reputation or what people think of us, Jesus challenges His followers to step down and serve. Instead of trying to look successful, we should serve our way into being successful. However, instead of focusing on looking successful to others, we should strive to be successful in God’s eyes.

For Jesus’ followers, serving others is more important than claiming to serve; stepping down is more important than leading from above. Not only did Jesus serve the disciples by washing their feet, He served all humanity by stepping down from Heaven and taking on the role of a human.

When reading Jesus’ life in the gospel record, we find example after example of Jesus stepping down to help and serve. It is as though Jesus continually was looking for ways He could step down and help. If Jesus had a ladder, He would use it to climb down to help those further down. Jesus stepped down and became a human, He stepped down and became a servant, He stepped down and became a criminal sentenced to death row, and He stepped down into death. The death Jesus stepped down into was not an instant death, but a long painful torturous death that would make most of us feel uneasy if we were to see it live.

Jesus calls us to step down too. For a follower of Jesus, it is not about getting a seat at the table; it’s about serving those lower on the ladder and stepping down to help them.

As we come to the end of another podcast episode, here are the challenges I will leave you with:

As I always challenge you to do, seek God first and intentionally model Jesus in your life by choosing to step down and serve someone else. By stepping down to help others, we are being like Jesus and we are doing what He has called us to do.

Also, continue praying and studying the Bible for yourself. While other people have ideas to think about, only you can grow a personal relationship with Jesus. I would encourage you to take a few minutes before our next podcast episode to read the crucifixion stories found in Matthew chapters 26 & 27, Mark chapters 14 & 15, Luke chapters 22 & 23 and John chapters 13 through 19. Over the next few episodes, we will be focusing on several of the details leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, and while we won’t cover everything in this chronological year of podcasting, it is always worth being reminded of what Jesus faced for us when He faced the cross!

And as I end every set of challenges by saying in one way or another, never stop short of, back away from, chicken out of, or abandon where God wants to lead you to in your life with Him!