Who is the Greatest, Part II

Dispute about greatness

Luke 22:24–27 “24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. 25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 “But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. 27 “For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”

Misguided arguments about greatness

The Dispute: The Disciples argue about who is the greatest

Jesus’ Correction: Worldly leaders dominate; kingdom leaders serve

Key statement: “I am among you as the one who serves.” (v.27)

Key truth: Greatness is not measured by who serves you, but by whom you serve.

Jesus redefines greatness through servanthood. Jesus calls people to serve as He did, challenging the cultural norms of His time. May we be a people today that find fulfillment and significance in serving others as Jesus did.

Promise of Reward

Luke 22:28–30 “28 “You are those who have stood by Me in My trials; 29 and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

The Kingdom Promise and the Role of the disciples

Their faithfulness noted: They remained with Jesus through all the trials whereas many abandoned Him.

Future reward: A kingdom a table, and authority to judge Israel

Encouragement: Present service prepares disciples for future glory

Key truth: Kingdom rewards are connected to faithful endurance and humble service

Jesus acknowledging the disciples’ faithfulness and His promises of a future reward for their service. This points out the assurance we have as faithful followers, servants of Jesus that will not be overlooked but honored by God, so stay faithful and true to the end!

Sifted yet strengthened

Luke 22:31–34 “31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” 34 And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.””

Peter’s Testing

Satan’s attack: Peter will be tested, but Jesus intercedes

Human confidence vs. Weakness: Peter insisters He is read; Jesus foretells his denial

Key truth: Confidence in self leads to failure; confidence in Christ leads to victory.

Even servant leaders are vulnerable. Peter is an example here, though Peter was confident in himself, Christ interceded for him. We need to be people who rely on Christ’s strength and not our own strength and understanding, our failures do not define us, but they are opportunities to grow as we know Peter’s was.

Preparation for mission

Luke 22:35–38 “35 And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” 36 And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. 37 “For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘And He was numbered with transgressors’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” 38 They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.””

Prepared Paradox: Equipped for Service:

Shift from provision to persecution

Times are changing; disciples must be ready for opposition

Dependence on Christ in coming challenges

Key truth: just like the one before Confidence in self will lead to failure; confidence and reliance in Christ will lead to victory.

Preparation for the upcoming challenges they were going to face was important. Preparation for the spiritual battles we face is important.

Applications

Servant Leadership: True greatness is serving others, not seeking recognition.

Dependance on Christ: Trials are inevitable, but Jesus intercedes for us and strengthens us.

Faithfulness in Mission: The call to follow Christ involves being ready for hardship, but also assurance of His presence always with us.

Encouragement through failure: Like Peter, our failures do not disqualify us — Christ restores and uses us.

Drawing a conclusion

Jesus take on greatness is not about authority, recognition or personal accomplishment. True greatness is found in humility, service, faithfulness, and readiness for spiritual conflict.

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Major takeaway: Greatness in God’s kingdom is measured not by how high we climb, but by how deeply we serve, how faithfully we endure, and how fully we depend on Christ.

Into the garden of surrender

Now that we finished the lesson from two weeks ago, we can get to the next lesson, or at least get started on it.

Can you remember a time when you faced a something very difficult and you knew the right thing to do, but it was the hardest thing to do?

What made it difficult for you?

What help you follow through with the difficult thing, the hard thing?

(Transition) Jesus has with his disciples after singing a hymn left the upper room, Judas had long since left to betray him, they were to the Mount of Olives a place they frequented and came to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus is about to face the most difficult decision of His earthly life in this passage. What we see in our passage reveals not only His suffering, His humanity, but His trust, His submission, and His prayer dependence on the Father. This is a deeply personal moment —away from the crowds, away from public teaching, even away from the 12 per se, only John, Peter and James are within hearing distance of Him as Jesus wrestles in Prayer. Instead of fleeing, Jesus prepares. Rather than resisting the Father’s will, He submits to it.

Big Idea from this passage: In our moments of deepest anguish, like Jesus in Gethsemane, we are called to surrender our will to God, finding our strength through prayer and trust in His divine purpose for our lives.

Our Garden Passage

Luke 22:39–40 NASB95

39 And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. 40 When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Luke 22:41–42 NASB95

41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, 42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Luke 22:43–44 NASB95

43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

Luke 22:45–46 NASB95

45 When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, 46 and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

What did you notice in this passage?

What does Luke mean by saying Jesus went “as was His custom” (v.39)?

It is a subjective answer, but meaning that it was His custom to go there and pray

What does Jesus mean by “this cup” (v.42)?

Again, subjective, this burden I am about to face, but yet let Your will be done Father, not Mine

How does Jesus second call to prayer reinforce His earlier warning (v.46)?

Tells them the same reason, that they may not enter into temptation.

Jesus Chooses Prayer

Jesus chooses prayer in the face of crisis

Key truth: Spiritual preparations matters most when pressure is greatest.

Jesus Submits

Jesus submits His will to the Father

Key Truth: True obedience is not the absence of struggle, but surrender in the struggle.

Jesus Stands Firm

The disciples struggle while Jesus stands firm.

Key Truth: Spiritual weariness makes us vulnerable, but prayer keeps us alert.

Applications

Follow Jesus Example

Make prayer a habit before crisis comes

Be honest with God

He invites us to bring our fears and our struggles

Submit daily

Surrender is not a one-time decision but a continual posture.

Stay spiritually alert

Weariness opens the door to temptation.

Key Truths (Takeaways)

Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s will

Strength to obey often comes after wrestling in prayer

God may not remove the cup, but He will provide the strength to carry it.

Spiritual preparation determines spiritual resilience.

Closing: In Gethsemane, we see Jesus at His most human —and most faithful. He does not avoid suffering, deny fear, or act independently. Instead, He prays, submits, and rises strengthened to obey.