Luke 22:24-30 - Who is the Greatest?
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
Whenever I hear the word greatest, I cannot help but think about Muhammad Ali. He was quick to tell everyone he met that he was the greatest to ever box. He spent most of his boxing life exalting himself - for example, he claimed that Madison Square Garden (which holds around 20,000 people or so) was too small for him. His statistics do paint an impressive picture, however. He was 56-5 and won 37 of his matches by knockout.
However, even the man known as ‘The Greatest’ could be humbled.
Once, while Ali was on an airplane, a flight attendant came by and asked him to buckle his seatbelt.
Ali replied, “Superman don’t need no seatbelt.”
The flight attendant responded, “Superman don’t need no plane.”
It’s always entertaining to watch someone knocked down a couple of pegs when they puff themselves up. The Bible clearly lets us know that pride and a haughty spirit come before destruction and a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
Despite the teachings of the Scriptures against pride, our world loves to exalt those who exalt themselves.
However, we are going to see Jesus teach us today that the kingdom of God is an upside down kingdom compared to this world. It isn’t the prideful that get exalted, it is the humble. Let’s go ahead and read our Scripture for today…
Read Full Scripture:
A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors.
But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.
For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
“You are those who have stayed with me in my trials,
and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom,
that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Prayer
Today we will see three requirements for true disciples of Jesus Christ. The first is…
I. Disciples of Christ Are Called to Sacrifice (24)
I. Disciples of Christ Are Called to Sacrifice (24)
A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
We ended last week with Judas leaving Jesus as seen in John’s Gospel and heading out to betray Him. Instead of the disciples rallying around and encouraging Jesus, they start arguing amongst themselves about which of them was the greatest. Their ambition and selfishness kept them from encouraging the Lord at a time when He was preparing for the worst trials He would face in His life. Their argument was tone deaf in the face of the reality that Christ is about to face.
The argument is also interesting because we see how fast people can go from humility to pride. In verse 23, we see the disciples questioning one another about who was going to be the betrayer that Jesus had mentioned. In fact, Matthew 26:22 lets us know that all of them were asking Jesus if they were the betrayer! So they go from concern about whether they are even legitimate followers of Jesus to concern about whether they are the greatest follower Jesus has!
How quickly sin and pride can manifest itself!
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time that this issue has come up.
We saw this same dispute back in Luke 9:46-48. They were arguing over which one of them was the greatest. And now here we go again.
Despite the fact that Jesus has been clear that He was going to the cross, the disciples can’t seem to keep from thinking about Christ reigning over an earthly kingdom now. They are all vying and jockeying for position.
Earlier in Luke, Jesus had taken a child and reminded them of the childlike faith needed to receive Him and follow Him. And He reminded them that the least among them was actually the greatest. It seems that the disciples were a little slow on catching on!
Instead of considering the sacrificial life that Christ has called them to, they are bent on considering how they can be exalted. The Christian life is not a life of exaltation while on earth. We will see in our final point that we will be exalted with Christ, however, Jesus calls us to a life of sacrificial service while on earth. Listen to Jesus in Luke 9:23:
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
There is a cost to discipleship. The disciples are completely missing this though.
Why are they missing the call to true discipleship?
The biggest problem with the disciples here is that they are completely focused on themselves and not on Christ.
Our me-centric society today is not a new thing. It may be worse today than it has been in the history of the world due to the fact that we can control almost all of our surroundings. We can control the temperature, what we are watching, what we are eating, and even control where we are located in almost a flash with flights and vehicle transport! But this self-centeredness has been present since man sinned in the garden. Adam and Eve sinned because they looked at themselves before God. This is the root sin of all humanity. Pride.
Unfortunately, many today try to fight this struggle of self-focus by focusing even more on themselves!
One only needs to go to the nearest self-help book section and see the amount of you’s, me’s, and I’s there are in the titles! And Christian book stores have a similar section that is as large, if not even larger, than the secular bookstores!
The world likes to tell us that we cannot truly love others unless we love ourselves first. This is a lie from the enemy of our souls - namely the devil.
The real problem that we have is not that we don’t love ourselves enough - it is that we love ourselves too much!
At the risk of sounding insensitive, even those who are depressed are incredibly self-focused. They may not be thinking much of themselves, but they most certainly are thinking about themselves much. I do not mean to downplay the struggle of those suffering with depressed thoughts. It is a real struggle and those struggling need to seek the Lord, reach out to those in their local church, and possibly even seek out a Biblical counselor to combat this difficult battle. But we must understand that the main problem of man is not that we don’t think about ourselves enough.
Many of us struggle with feeling like we don’t measure up as believers. We may look at our spiritual lives and struggle with where we are. Shouldn’t we be further along now?
I get these struggles. I can struggle with this like anyone can. However, there is a simple and straightforward remedy that the Scriptures provide for this problem.
Our main problem is that we do not think enough about Jesus Christ.
We might think highly of Christ. We might even have good theology in regard to Christ’s perfection, glorification, and omniscience. We may be able to list many of His attributes. Our Christology, or study of Christ, might be pretty solid.
But thinking highly of someone and thinking often of someone are two completely things.
We must think highly and often of Christ.
Unfortunately, we can spend so much time thinking about ourselves and our own situations that we rarely think about Jesus.
Listen to the author of Hebrews tell us to fix our eyes upon Jesus:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Note that as we run the race of this Christian life, we are to toss off everything sinful, and we are to look toward Jesus. We aren’t to look toward our sin, or our weaknesses, or our failures. In other words, our focus is not to be on us but instead - we are to look toward Christ.
Yes, we should be regularly repenting of our sins. Yes, we should ask the Lord to examine us and reveal any wickedness in us as King David did in Psalm 139:23-24. But that is not where we continue to look. We fix our eyes upon Jesus - not on us, not on others, and not on any other thing.
As disciples of Christ, we are called to sacrificial following and not personal exaltation. We are called to look on Christ and not look upon ourselves. Which brings us to our next teaching from Jesus…
Scripture References: Proverbs 16:18, Luke 9:46-48, Luke 9:23, Hebrews 11:1-2, Psalm 139:23-24
II. Disciples of Christ Are Called to Serve (25-27)
II. Disciples of Christ Are Called to Serve (25-27)
And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors.
Jesus, hearing their childlike banter teaches them an important lesson.
He reminds them about the Gentile rulers. Those in the world exercise lordship over others. This term for lordship refers to an overbearing and domineering authority. Kings and rulers like to make their political power felt. They love to be in control.
Not only do these kings, rulers, and authorities like to be in charge - they also like to be praised. The form of the Greek verb translated ‘are called’ can also mean that they'call themselves’ benefactors. In other words, these rulers want people to see them in a good light. A benefactor is one who gives generously.
Interestingly, the medical school I attended used to regularly send out a magazine called The Benefactor (although it now has a different name). At the end of the magazine, there was a record of all of those who gave money to the medical school in order to recognize them - obviously separated with those who gave more at the beginning.
This is the way of the world. In the world, people want credit for what they do and what they give.
Frankly, if we are honest, our flesh resonates with this desire for prestige and recognition and power.
The sinful nature of man wants to be in charge, tell others what to do, but still be seen as selfless and generous and in a good light.
What wickedness dwells within the heart of man!
He reminds them that the way that the world works is not how the kingdom of God works. Jesus commands us to give generously without credit (Matthew 6:3). We should lend and not expect anything in return (Luke 6:35). Jesus also asserts that those who exalt themselves will be humbled (Matthew 23:12).
Listen to Jesus address this dispute further…
But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.
But not so with you. Things should look vastly different among followers of Christ.
Instead the greatest should put themselves in the position of the youngest. What does Jesus mean by becoming as the youngest?
Jewish culture was much different than our culture today. We live in a world today where, sadly, age is not always respected. Young people today are the ones who seem to command the respect. Because of social media and technology, it appears that the young have their voices heard more than anyone. This is oftentimes to the detriment of our culture due to their lack of wisdom and experience.
In Jewish culture, however, the young were silent in the presence of the aged. We see this clearly in the book of Job. Listen to Elihu:
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you.
We are not sure when Elihu arrives, but obviously he has been listening to this discourse for quite some time. He waited patiently before speaking.
Jesus tells us that we should be humble like this. We should not want to be the first to be heard. We should be slow to speak and quick to listen (James 1:9). This takes incredible humility and a willingness to defer to others first.
He then tells His followers that we should seek to be a servant even if we are a leader. A humble servant-leader seems like an oxymoron or sorts. How can one be a leader and be a servant?
This seems so counter-intuitive. The natural man wants to be served. As we have already mentioned, those in charge often like exerting their authority and making their will known and done by others. Yet, Jesus provides a completely different command for His followers.
He illustrates this command further in verse 27…
For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
In order to illustrate the command to be a servant leader, Jesus asks a simple question.
Who is greater - meaning who is considered greater. The one who serves or the one who reclines at table.
The one who is considered greater is the one who reclines at table.
I am sure that all of us have gone out to eat at a restaurant before. When you go, you are served by a server. The server is usually respectful, kind, and hospitable. Their goal is to serve you - and - though not directly applicable to our Scripture for today, they probably hope to get a good tip in the process!
With that said, there is a healthy side note for believers here - please do not go to a sit down restaurant if you cannot tip well. You defame Christ when you are served and leave a tiny or no tip. We should be known as generous. Use your time out to eat as a time to bless your server and maybe even a time to share the Gospel with him or her! But after sharing the love of Christ with someone, it isn’t a great witness to leave a negligible tip!
Author and theologian Randy Alcorn recommends not leaving less than 20% for a tip and also recommends considering carrying a Gospel booklet to leave with the tip as well! Nothing like leveraging everything for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Getting back to our Scripture, Jesus uses this analogy to show His humble service to them.
Although Luke did not record this, John lets us know what happened before the Lord’s Supper. In John 13:3-17, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.
He was likely referring to both this and His serving of the Lord’s Supper. He reminded them of His service to them. Despite the fact that He was their Lord and leader, He served them selflessly. They were to go and do likewise.
Theologian David Garland gives a wonderful quote when considering this…
“The disciples are interested in titles; Jesus offers them towels instead.”
David Garland
Jesus reminds them that He is among them as one who serves as seen in Matthew 20:28:
even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus, using His favorite title which speaks of His reigning at His Second Coming, teaches that He came to serve and not be served. He came to give His life sacrificially. And as followers of His, we are to sacrifice and serve as well.
The kingdom of God is opposite in regard to most of the things of this world. We must remain humble as we follow Jesus.
After giving them a lesson on the kingdom of God, He lets them know that there is no need for them to jockey for position. God has a position assigned for them already. Which brings us to our final point…
Scripture References: Matthew 6:3, Luke 6:35, Matthew 23:12, Job 32:4-6, James 1:19, John 13:3-17 , Matthew 20:28
III. Disciples of Christ Are Called to Sit Under Christ’s Authority (28-30)
III. Disciples of Christ Are Called to Sit Under Christ’s Authority (28-30)
“You are those who have stayed with me in my trials,
After rebuking them and teaching them about humility and service, He moves forward to encourage them.
Despite their failures, and there were many, the disciples had stuck it out with Jesus thus far. In the face of intense conflict with the religious leaders, they remained by Jesus’s side. Knowing that murderous plots had been planned for quite some time, they continued walking with Jesus. Not having a home to stay in and living a somewhat nomadic lifestyle, the disciples persevered. Having been rejected by many towns and villages, they continued walking the path with Jesus.
With the exception of Judas who would be replaced by Matthias in Acts 1:15-26, and despite their temporary dispersion at Christ’s death, these disciples would go on to become the 12 Apostles and along with a final Apostle to the Gentiles, namely Paul - they would spread the Gospel throughout much of the known world. All but one of these men would be martyred for their faith.
Because of their perseverance and because of their special place in Church history, Jesus has some exciting news for them…
and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
They don’t need to jockey for position because their positions have already been assigned.
The word for assigned here can also mean ‘to make a covenant with.’ This reminds us of the new covenant as seen in Luke 22:20 that we saw during the Lord’s Supper. Because of the blood of Christ, we can be saved. Also because of the blood of Christ, this new covenant provides a special place for the disciples in the Millennial Kingdom.
Jesus is speaking of the Messianic Kingdom to come - His kingdom that has been inaugurated but not consummated. Upon the return of Christ, as He sets up His earthly reign, the Apostles will be rewarded. They will be an integral part of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb as seen in Revelation 19:6-10.
It should be noted that they are under the authority of Christ here. They are not the true judges. The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ, alone, is going to judge (John 5:22, 2 Timothy 4:1, Acts 17:31).
Despite all of the failures of the disciples, Jesus has a special place for them. Isn’t that comforting for us today?
Despite all of our failures, Jesus has invited us to partake in this beautiful Marriage Supper of the Lamb as well. All who are in Christ are invited. We all will be able to share in Christ’s reign on earth and for all eternity as He creates a New Heaven and a New Earth to come.
We are each invited to sit under Christ’s authority for all eternity. But this invitation is only for those who have been born again (John 3). It is only for those who have repented of their sins and placed their faith and trust in the King of Kings and Lord of Lords - namely Jesus Christ. The One Who lived a sinless life and died on the cross. But He didn’t stay dead! He rose three days later! He is now seated at the right hand of the Father and awaits His time of ruling and reigning on earth all the while He intercedes on His followers’ behalf.
But listen to the warning Jesus gives as well.
He frequently gave an example of weddings when it came to the coming consummation of the kingdom of God. One such parable is very instructive of our need to be true followers of His (Matthew 22:1-14).
In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus mentions a man who came into the wedding with no wedding garment. This man was bound and cast into the outer darkness - a place with weeping and gnashing of teeth - namely hell.
Jesus ends the parable in verse 14 by saying…
For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Friends, Christ invites us all to the wedding feast. Namely, He died on the cross for the sins of the world (John 3:16). However, only those who are wearing the wedding garment are allowed in.
The wedding garment symbolizes those who have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. They have put on the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Scripture is clear that there is only way way to God and that is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Have you accepted the invitation that Christ offers? Have you repented of your sins and placed your faith and trust in Christ alone for salvation?
There is only one way to get into heaven. The invitation provides only one way to enter. And that one way is Jesus Christ. He is Door (John 10:9), and He is the Way.
I implore you to not leave this place today until you know without a shadow of a doubt that you have your wedding garment on - that you are ready for Christ’s return. Repent and be saved my friends.
Scripture References: Acts 1:15-26, Luke 22:20, Revelation 19:6-10, John 5:22, 2 Timothy 4:1, Acts 17:31, John 3, Matthew 22:1-14, John 3:16, John 14:6, John 10:9
Conclusion:
As we come to a close, we have seen Jesus teach us about who really is the greatest.
If we want to be the greatest - we must be sacrificial, we must serve, and we must willingly submit to and sit under Christ’s authority.
The way to success in the kingdom of God is much different than the way to success in this world.
To be Christ’s disciple, one must follow Him as a humble servant-leader in obedience to all of His commands.
