21 “But one of you will turn against me, and his hand is with mine on the table. 22 What God has planned for the Son of Man will happen, but how terrible it will be for that one who turns against the Son of Man.”
23 Then the apostles asked each other which one of them would do 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.
28 “You have stayed with me through my struggles. 29 Just as my Father has given me a kingdom, I also give you a kingdom 30 so you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Read Luke 22:21-30 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!
While reading Luke’s gospel account of Jesus’ last supper before His crucifixion, Luke includes a verse telling us that an argument breaks out among the disciples and he also includes Jesus’ response to this argument. Perhaps this argument was prompted by Jesus sharing that one of them would betray Him, but perhaps, this was just another flare-up of an argument that Jesus’ follower had debated many times before.
But here at the last supper, Jesus has a powerful response. After quieting the disciples and getting their attention, Luke tells us that Jesus said, “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.’ 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. 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.” (v. 25-27)
Jesus draws our attention to something that we think today. This belief is as widespread today as it was in the first century. Jesus points us to this key idea when He asks, “Who is more important: the one sitting at the table or the one serving?” (v. 27a)
If we were to ask ten random people this question, almost all of them would say the person sitting at the table is more important. Those in the board room at the table must be more important than the factory-line worker. This is the widespread belief – and it is one that Jesus challenged with His life.
In Jesus’ follow-up statement, He shares the truth people think, and He contrasts it with how He has lived. “You think the one at the table is more important,” Jesus says, “but I am like a servant among you.” (v. 27b)
Jesus came and lived the life of a servant to illustrate how God sees greatness. While those at the table are important in God’s eyes, those serving are equally important. Without people serving, there would be no table for others to sit at. Because of this truth, the case could be made that service is more important than meetings. Jesus called each of us to be like Him, and this means that we are to take the servant role whenever possible.
Jesus focused on finding ways He could step down and serve. As His disciples, stepping down and serving whenever possible should be a priority for us as well.
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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