The Clash of Kingdoms (Luke 22:7-27)

Sunday Night Pictures

The Jaffa Gate

Jaffa Gate, one of Jerusalem's busiest gates, was erected in 1538 AD during the Ottoman Empire[1]. It is named for its position at the start of the road leading to the port of Jaffa on the Mediterranean Sea[1]. The gate serves as a major entry point to the Old City, with a continuous stream of people and animals passing through during daylight hours[2]. At sunset, the gate is closed, and entry is only possible through a smaller portal within the larger gate[2]. Historically significant, the Jaffa Gate area has likely been traversed by many important figures, including biblical characters[2]. Today, it connects to a major highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv[1], and the nearby Jaffa Road is a popular shopping district[1]. The gate faces west and may have been the site of the Old Testament's Corner Gate[3]. It is one of seven gates currently open in Jerusalem's walls, which were built around 1540 AD by Soliman II[4].

[1] Photographs of Israel, the Holy Land (WORDsearch, 2008). [2] Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, Traveling in the Holy Land through the Stereoscope: A Tour Personally Conducted by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut... (New York; Ottawa, KN: Underwood & Underwood, 1900), 27–28. [3] Parsons Bible Atlas (WORDsearch, 2012). [4] Moisés Silva, J. D. Douglas, and Merrill C. Tenney, eds., “Jerusalem,” in Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 727.

Herod’s Gate

Herod's Gate, also known as the Gate of Flowers or Flower Gate, is located on the north wall of Jerusalem's Old City, east of the Damascus Gate[1][2]. It leads into the Muslim Quarter and is believed to be the biblical Sheep Gate mentioned in Nehemiah and John[1]. The gate is part of the extensive renovations and constructions undertaken by Herod the Great in Jerusalem. Herod's building projects included repairing the city walls, erecting new buildings, and significantly expanding the Second Temple[3][4]. The temple complex, known as Herod's Temple, covered an area of about 35 acres and featured multiple gates, porticoes, and courtyards, including the Court of the Gentiles where Jesus drove out the money changers[4]. While Herod's Gate is not directly related to Herod's Temple, both structures are important elements of Herod's architectural legacy in Jerusalem[1][2][4].

[1] Parsons Bible Atlas (WORDsearch, 2012). [2] Photographs of Israel, the Holy Land (WORDsearch, 2008). [3] J. A. Thompson, The Bible and Archaeology, 3rd ed., fully rev. (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1982), 349. [4] Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered, vol. 2 (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2014–2021).

The Eastern Gate

Photographs of Israel and the Holy Land Eastern Gate

The Eastern Gate is also known as the Golden Gate or the Mercy Gate. This view of the Eastern gate is from the Kidron valley. The ancient portals above the Eastern Gate are where the Lookouts and archers stood. The Eastern Gate led to the Temple mount in Jesus’ day.

When the Moslems took over Jerusalem in this century, they had the Eastern Gate sealed up to attempt to stop the Messiah from coming back and taking what is rightfully His. It is a sin for a priest to walk across graves and the Messiah, as scripture states, is also a priest as well as a prophet. So the Moslems sealed the gate and put a graveyard right in front of it in an attempt to thwart prophesy.

This photograph, taken from the base of the Mount of Olives and looking west, shows the glorious sight of the Eastern Gate. It is traditionally believed that Jesus entered Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate almost 2000 years ago on what is now called Palm Sunday

The Eastern Gate From Mount of Olives

From the Mount of Olives, you can look across the Kidron Valley and see the Eastern Wall of the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock. It is easily recognized by it’s round golden dome. Most people consider that The Dome of the Rock is built where the Temple once stood.

Where are these gates?

The Values of the Kingdoms of the world are skewed!

This world values prestige, wealth, education and we promote people to places of honor depending upon that.

The President of the United States is often considered to be the most powerful person on earth.

How does one become President?

Yes, there’s the election, but leading up to the election is usually about amassing wealth and popularity (at least popularity in certain states). There’s the belittling of other candidates and mocking their ways and proposals.

It is a grand display of the world’s value system.

The loudest voice wins.

The One with the most toys wins

It is a system that values putting others down to get what “I want” or what “I deserve...”

I HAVE RIGHTS we SCREAM...

And, especially after the message last week, and the readings this week about surrender and commitment to follow Jesus Christ we today see again that the values of the Kingdom of God are directly opposed to the values of the Kingdom of the World!

Read the Passage

Luke 22:1–34 NLT

1 The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. 2 The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction. 3 Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4 and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5 They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. 6 So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around. 7 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.” 9 “Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him. 10 He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, 11 say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ 12 He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” 13 They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there. 14 When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 15 Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.” 19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. 21 “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. 22 For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” 23 The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing. 24 Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. 25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. 27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. 28 “You have stayed with me in my time of trial. 29 And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right 30 to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” 34 But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

John 13:1–17 NLT

1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” 8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” 9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” 10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

The Clash Prepared

Jesus sets up the visual of the clash of these competing kingdoms during the Passover meal.

But, before this, we already know that the clash is in place… Judas has agreed to betray Jesus

Luke 22:1–6 NLT

1 The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. 2 The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction. 3 Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4 and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5 They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. 6 So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.

We are told that Satan, or the Evil One, has entered Judas causing him to decide to betray Jesus.

This is most likely why the place for the Passover meal is not made publicly available, but there seems to be some secret plans in place when Jesus sends 2 disciples, Peter and John, to make preparations in a specific room - yet Jesus doesn’t specify which room, but that there would be a man carrying a water jar that they are to talk to

As a side note… Men would not normally carry water jars, but women would. This explains how the disciples would know which man to go to - the one serving in a different role - the one who is acting a little different than the norm...

There is also a reminder here of the Lord’s Providence. That, if we are asked to do something on behalf of Christ he makes it possible for us to succeed.

The Meal was a Passover

At the Seder meal (the order of the passover meal feast) Jesus dramatically portrays the clash of kingdoms

Was it actually a passover?

There is conversation among biblical scholars over the timing of this meal - especially in light of the Gospel of John. John does not detail a Passover meal as he has Jesus dying while crucified at the moment the Passover Lambs would be slaughtered - detailing Jesus as the True Passover Lamb. In John’s account, the meal that Jesus had with the disciples , the “Last Supper” was NOT a Passover Meal.

Yet, in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, it IS detailed as the celebration of the Passover.

Luke 22:7–8 NLT

7 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”

Luke 22:14–15 NLT

14 When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 15 Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins.

Is there a way to HARMONIZE this?

Well, first, know that whenever the meal took place, Jesus uses the order of the Passover celebration to tell the story of what He is about to do at the cross - be our Passover Lamb that releases us from bondage to sin and death. So, whether John is correct, or the synoptic Gospels are correct is beside the point - All Gospel accounts declare Jesus is the Passover Lamb.

PERSONALLY, I like John’s timing that Jesus died when the lambs would be sacrificed. So, how do I hold these together.=?

Well, Jesus is CLEARLY, especially in Luke’s account, going through the Order (SEDER) of Passover (multiple cups). So, even if it wasn’t Passover, Jesus uses that night to celebrate the Passover meal with his disciples knowing that he would be crucified on the actual Passover and knowing that His disciples would not eat that passover. But, if they did, He would want them to eat it with the significance he provided that night at their last meal in the upper room.

However, others have provided some additional reasoning that takes into account that Scripture is clear it was Passover.

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew–Acts a. Preparation for Passover (14:12–16)

Massey H. Shepherd writes: “In that particular year the Jews in Palestine observed Passover on Saturday; those in Dispersion observed it on Friday.” Mark followed the Dispersion calendar, while John adopted the Palestinian. So both are right.

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew–Acts a. Preparation for Passover (14:12–16)

David Noel Freedman, in an article, “When did Christ Die?” He claims that the Dead Sea Scrolls indicate that many pious Jews held to the older solar calendar in which every year began on the same day, so that 14th Nisan—the day the Passover lamb was to be slain—always came on Tuesday. Freedman thinks that Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples on Tuesday night, whereas the chief priests and rulers of the Jews ate it on Friday night. He believes that this gives more time for the Jewish and Roman trials of Jesus.

The date is NOT important, really, in fact stressing on the date misses the main point. The point is using the imagery of Passover to explain the work of Jesus Christ.

Luke 22:14–18 NLT

14 When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 15 Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”

Jesus first declares his eagerness to eat this Passover with his disciples. Then he states that he won’t eat this meal again until it finds it’s fulfillment in the Kingdom of God.

Clearly, from the beginning, Jesus is clear that this meal will point to a greater purpose. Instead of looking back to the Exodus from Egypt it is going to point forward to a GREATER fulfilment. Jesus reminds us of the imagery of the Kingdom fulfilled being like a celebratory meal - a wedding feast.

Revelation 19:9 NLT

9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”

What Jesus is about to do - on the cross - will bring about the fulfilment of the Kingdom.

Then Jesus blessed the cup and again he tells the disciples that he will not drink of it again until the Kingdom comes...

Luke’s Account Details 2 Cups??

In a traditional Passover Meal 4 cups of wine would be drunk. They follow the order of the celebration and are based upon a fourfold promise God gave Moses in Exodus

Exodus 6:6–7 NIV

6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

The Four Cups

1- I will claim you as my own (I will take you out of Egypt). It is the cup of Consecration/Sanctification and begins the night

2 - I will deliver you/Free you. This is the cup of plagues and judgement.

3 - I will redeem you. The Cup of Redemption. This cup is the cup that would remind people of the passover lamb, by whose blood they were redeemed and escaped the death of the firstborn.

4- I will take you as my people. The cup of praise. That God had gotten the people out of Egypt and through the death of the firstborn, but also the death of the Red Sea. And God met them at mount Sinai and consecrated them to be His people there.

Something about these cups is often over looked.

Jesus drinks the 1st cup - the cup of Consecration. But, then he says he will not drink of the cup again until the Kingdom is fulfilled. We talk about 4 cups, but really, it is 1 cup that is filled 4 different times. Jesus allows himself to be consecrated unto God. This is a reminder TO HIM that what will come, comes because of his devotion to God and God’s plan to fulfil the Kingdom. HE IS GOD’S SON - BUT as God’s Son he is CONSECRATED unto God’s plan.

He doesn't’ drink the other cups. Why?

Because he is NOT rescued from the plagues or the death of the 1st born and he will eventually drink the cup of praise at the appropriate time. He is going to bear the Exodus journey IN HIMSELF. He will take on the plagues. He WILL be the sacrificed Lamb. He WILL be the only begotten Son of God - the firstborn- DEAD. HE WILL DRINK THE CUPS LITERALLY as he fulfils them. But, because of HIS SACRIFICE, we will be rescued.

After supper he took the cup - the cup of Redemption. As stated earlier, it was the cup of the Passover Lamb. It reminded the people that they were redeemed by the blood of the slaughtered lamb and that this blood initiated the covenant between them and God.

Exodus 24:7–8 NLT

7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people. Again they all responded, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded. We will obey.” 8 Then Moses took the blood from the basins and splattered it over the people, declaring, “Look, this blood confirms the covenant the Lord has made with you in giving you these instructions.”

But Jesus changes the script… This is not about the Lamb in Exodus. This is NOT about looking back, that night, with His disciples, it was about looking ahead.

Luke 22:20 NLT

20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.

It looks ahead to the fulfilment of God’s promise of a NEW COVENANT

Jeremiah 31:33–34 NLT

33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

And this COVENANT is signed not in the blood of goats, or bulls, or rams, or lambs. Jesus declares that this covenant is confirmed in HIS blood that is shed for us and that we apply to our lives!!

But, there is also the bread...

After supper, a piece of unleavened bread would be found... It is called the Afikomen - and it literally means that which comes after (like dessert).

In a traditional Passover Meal there is a Matzah (unleavened bread) bag (also called Echad - which means unity) that has three compartments. No one really knows why. Some say it represents the patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Others say it represents the People, the Priests, and the Lord. The bread in the middle compartment would be taken out (during the 1st cup) and broken. The broken piece would be wrapped in linen and hidden somewhere in the room. During teh time approaching the 3rd cup it would become a game for children to find the hidden piece of bread.

Why the middle piece?

Well, Isaac was the patriarch that was “taken out” to be used as a sacrifice, but God provided a ram in the thicket in his place.

Or, it is the priests who offer sacrifice on our behalf

Notice what Jesus says...

Luke 22:19 NLT

19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

He defines what that middle piece is… it is HIM! The one who would be sacrificed (in place of Isaac) but also, who like a priest (according to the author of Hebrews) offers the sacrifice.

But, we also read that he blessed it.

The Traditional Thanksgiving for Bread = “Blessed are you Lord God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth...”

Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life...” (John 6:35). He pronounces this blessing over the bread at the Sedar, but in declaring that this bread is HIS body given for us He is able to remind us that He is the bread of life. And, like bread that is brought forth from the earth He, the Bread of Life will be brought forth from the earth… But, in order for life to come, he must give up his.

John 12:24 NLT

24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.

And now the clash...

After saying all this about what he is preparing to do for us on the cross Jesus deals with the reality that someone will betray him.

Luke 22:21–23 NLT

21 “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. 22 For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” 23 The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.

The reality is that God has planned the sacrificial death of Jesus to bring about God’s Kingdom. But, we have the free will to participate in it, or to try and participate against it.

There is the reality that God is sovereign, yet at the same time we have free choice. Judas was NOT NECESSARY to bring about God’s plans with his betrayal of Jesus. However, God USED that evil to fulfill God’s purposes. Judas DID NOT HAVE TO BETRAY JESUS for God’s plan to be fulfilled - HE CHOSE TO!! PERIOD!!!

Yet after hearing this the disciples wonder who it could be.

This is interesting. In the upside down realities of our world, and how they clash against God’s kingdom ANY ONE of us could EASILY play the role of the betrayer.

And, as soon as the disciples begin the conversation of who is the betrayer, then, like the flip of a switch they begin to discuss who is the greatest in the Kingdom.

To give them credit, they understood something about what Jesus said - he mentioned a kingdom.

It’s as if, in order to convince their brothers they aren’t the betrayer, they begin to boast of their greatness in the kingdom. We have already seen how Jesus has highlighted surrender and commitment in his Kingdom. Even last week in our reading when the discussion of greatness came up Jesus points to a child.

But, here we are again. Jesus has given this beautiful imagery retelling the story of the passover and what God is doing. And, WE want to jockey for greatness!

Luke 22:25–27 NLT

25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. 27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.

Jesus highlights our earthly values again. We want to be great. We WANT people to say we benefit them. We CALL OURSELVES BENEFACTORS (or force people to call us benefactors...)

Luke B. Preparing for Glory to Come: The Last Supper (22:7–38)

These people required recognition and glory for anything they gave or did for someone else. They bestowed the title on themselves. So in reality “benefactor” described a system that promoted injustice and unfairness. It was a system of “I will scratch your back if you will scratch mine.” It was a system of wealth limited to the few, and poverty shared by the masses. It was a system of a few gifts and an immense amount of oppression. It was a system where the oppressed had to praise the oppressor for any small favor. It was a system without freedom, without opportunity, and without love and care.

It is a system all too familiar with us. Those who are GREAT have earned it...

But, that is where the kingdoms clash.

In fact, in John’s Gospel, Jesus gets up from the table to wash feet. That is the great value in the kingdom - SERVICE.

John 13:12–17 NLT

12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

Jesus tells, and shows, the disciples what greatness is about in his kingdom - SERVICE.

Luke 22:26–27 NLT

26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. 27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.

Luke B. Preparing for Glory to Come: The Last Supper (22:7–38)

You do not seek for greatness or recognition, Jesus said. You seek for opportunities truly to be a doer of good for the rest of the “family.”

Luke B. Preparing for Glory to Come: The Last Supper (22:7–38)

Jesus turned the question on the disciples. You want to determine greatness, he observed. Who is greater—the one enjoying a banquet feast or the one serving it? The world says the one being served. Jesus’ perspective was different. He stood as one serving the cup and the bread, not the one reclining at the table to be served. You must make a choice. Will you accept the world’s oppressive way of honoring greatness? Or will you follow Jesus’ example of becoming a servant and seeking the best for the “family”? Will you be part of the last who will become first? Or must you be first now?

It is Paul who reminds us...

Philippians 2:5–11 NIV

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

CONCLUSION

This is the clash of Kingdoms! It is NO WONDER that to follow Jesus first calls for commitment and surrender. Yet, it is in giving up everything that we truly live. It is in giving up everything (even what we value as great) that we see the way of the cross lived out - in serving.

Matthew 20:28 NLT

28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

“You have a choice today. Will you humble yourself to go where God is leading? Will you stoop down to the floor, pick up a rag, and wash the feet (whether literally or metaphorically) of someone else? Or will you, like the disciples that day, puff yourself up and jockey for position? Jesus is clear in his example of what we’re supposed to do and who we’re supposed to be. Let us be faithful in imitating him.”

Discussion Questions

1. What sticks out to you most about this week’s Scripture readings or the readings from this past week?

2. How would you feel if you were one of the disciples in the upper room that night?

3. Jesus set an example for us by stooping down and washing the feet of his disciples. How can you embrace this same kind of humility in your life today?