Key Verse: "Who is greater, the one who
is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table?
But I am among you as one who serves."
Luke 22:27
This subject must have come up a lot among the
disciples during Jesus’ ministry. We've had to deal with this already on
several occasions. To have it take place even tonight, however, must have
grieved our Lord bitterly. If you've ever taken your children out for a special
occasion or served a special meal to celebrate something and then had it marred
by constant squabbling, you may have some idea of the frustration and
disappointment Jesus may have felt at this moment. These were supposed to be
grown men after all!
Nevertheless, here we are again, talking about
what the world worries about, who will get the credit? Who will get the honor?
What's in it for me? Here is Jesus, wanting to have a close, warm last few
minutes with His closest friends before He dies for them and they are
distracted by, what is in God's view, pettiness.
How could this have happened, considering what
Jesus had just done? Well, after the first part of the meal, so rich in
symbolism, it is common for a feast to be served. After all, in many ways, this
is similar to our American Thanksgiving. The liturgy is set aside for a time
and the participants enjoy a wonderful meal together. While this is taking
place, it makes sense that normal conversation would follow.
Perhaps there was discussion over where each
disciple was placed around the table. After all, Judas had been given a
position of honor. Now that he was out doing, who knew what, perhaps John and
James grumbled a bit. After all, they had asked to be seated at Jesus’ right
and left hands when He came into His kingdom. They were all probably angling for
positions. It's part of our human nature to want to be recognized.
Again, Jesus, knowing who He was, pointed out,
"I'm not concerned about such things. If I were, shouldn't you all be
serving me? Yet, here I am, sitting among you as a friend." Did the
disciples feel shame as Jesus pointed this out? If they didn't at the time,
surely, as events unfolded, they soon would see for themselves just how petty
they had been.
We are all guilty of this from time to time.
Churches and individuals seem to be obsessed with the "bigger is
better," mentality. We think that if we are honored by man, or impressive
to others, surely God is of the same opinion! That's the
foolishness of the disciples' behavior and recurring attitudes of worldliness.
It's a tough habit to shake. Yet, we must keep in mind, the creator was born in
a barn. The creator allowed Himself to be poor. The creator washed His
betrayer's feet. Are we really asked to stoop so low that our Lord Himself has
not gone yet lower for us?
Paul reminds us: "Your attitude should be
the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not
consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being
found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—death
on a cross!" (Phil. 2:5-8) As a servant, He sat among them,
though He had created them and had the right to rule over them. He has set the
example for how we are to live among one another, not clawing for greatness,
but begging to serve.
Perhaps, for our sake, it is good that the
disciples had this dispute one more time so that we can be reminded once more,
during this meal, how low Jesus was willing to go for the worst of sinners and for
us.
Hymn: "The Servant Song
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