Word@Work Luke327 - Luke 22:27-30
Published: Mon, 04/04/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE SUPPER AND THE BANQUET
Luke 22:27-30 For 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. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (NIV)
Having rebuked the disciples for arguing about who would be most important in Jesus' Kingdom, the Lord changes the metaphor; from government, to serving at table. It would have been a poignant moment. He, their Lord and Master, had just taken the role of a slave in washing their feet before the supper (John 13:1-17) and serving them at the Passover meal. Even though His Passion was only hours away, it was the trainee apostles who were the honoured guests at the Last Supper.
So Jesus asked the question: "Who is the greatest; the guest or the servant?" He told them that He had honoured them above Himself and one day would honour them further with authority in His Kingdom. On that day, the angels will serve them as they share the banquet with Jesus. But, until then, they are called to serve and not to rule. Philippians 2:5-8 puts it like this: "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--even death on a cross!"
Fallen human nature longs to wear a crown of authority. But Jesus showed that we cannot expect a crown of righteousness unless we are willing to take up our cross (Luke 9:23-25). That is normal Christianity. Failure to understand this, snatches our focus away from Jesus and lets us assume that our rights, welfare and pleasure have priority: it will also seriously reduce the church's passion for cross-cultural mission. Yes, there are many joys as we follow Christ; His provision is always sufficient and heaven will be wonderful. But until then, God is building a kingdom of humble servants who are willing to suffer for the sake of their Lord on earth, because they are assured of His honour at the heavenly banquet. It is time to check your attitudes and passions; are they set on things above or fixed on getting the best deal out of this world (Colossians 3:1-4)? It is a hard question but one that needs to be answered, for Jesus' sake and yours.
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You for this reminder of the teaching and example of the Lord Jesus who was willing to serve and suffer in order to fulfil Your will. Please forgive me when I run away from those priorities to gain what the world has to offer. Help me to have the same attitude as Jesus to hardship and selfless service in this life, thankful for the promise of sharing the joys of His kingdom in the life to come. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Having rebuked the disciples for arguing about who would be most important in Jesus' Kingdom, the Lord changes the metaphor; from government, to serving at table. It would have been a poignant moment. He, their Lord and Master, had just taken the role of a slave in washing their feet before the supper (John 13:1-17) and serving them at the Passover meal. Even though His Passion was only hours away, it was the trainee apostles who were the honoured guests at the Last Supper.
So Jesus asked the question: "Who is the greatest; the guest or the servant?" He told them that He had honoured them above Himself and one day would honour them further with authority in His Kingdom. On that day, the angels will serve them as they share the banquet with Jesus. But, until then, they are called to serve and not to rule. Philippians 2:5-8 puts it like this: "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--even death on a cross!"
Fallen human nature longs to wear a crown of authority. But Jesus showed that we cannot expect a crown of righteousness unless we are willing to take up our cross (Luke 9:23-25). That is normal Christianity. Failure to understand this, snatches our focus away from Jesus and lets us assume that our rights, welfare and pleasure have priority: it will also seriously reduce the church's passion for cross-cultural mission. Yes, there are many joys as we follow Christ; His provision is always sufficient and heaven will be wonderful. But until then, God is building a kingdom of humble servants who are willing to suffer for the sake of their Lord on earth, because they are assured of His honour at the heavenly banquet. It is time to check your attitudes and passions; are they set on things above or fixed on getting the best deal out of this world (Colossians 3:1-4)? It is a hard question but one that needs to be answered, for Jesus' sake and yours.
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You for this reminder of the teaching and example of the Lord Jesus who was willing to serve and suffer in order to fulfil Your will. Please forgive me when I run away from those priorities to gain what the world has to offer. Help me to have the same attitude as Jesus to hardship and selfless service in this life, thankful for the promise of sharing the joys of His kingdom in the life to come. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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