Read Luke 22:24-27
The Passover was finished for another year, or so the disciples thought. For them it could have been just another Passover celebration. In their minds many more would follow.
But because Jesus imbued the bread and the wine with the new meaning that pointed forward to His death and resurrection and the new covenant, this was the last Passover that would ever be legitimately celebrated. In the future a new supper would be celebrated that looked back, not to the lamb that was slaughtered by each household, but to the ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29).
But as soon as the feast was finished the disciples began to bicker and quarrel as to which of them was the greatest, the most important. The living parable of the bread and wine, the symbolism imbued in the elements, the meaning of the upcoming sacrifice that fulfilled Passover was missed.
Jesus used their argument to teach them again what having authority in the Kingdom of God meant. The Gentile kings lorded their authority over their subjects. They threw their weight around and used their position for their own advantage. But not so with you (vs 26), Jesus tells them.
Jesus then turns the expected world order completely upside down.
Luke 22:26
Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
The ultimate example is given in Jesus Himself. Jesus our Lord has come and should be sitting at the table being served but has come among us as a servant. The greatest one has come to us as a servant, and our leadership and fellowship should be modelled on His service. Jesus’ words in vs 27 sting our ears – “But I am among you as one who serves.”
If our Lord and Saviour, our King, can come to us as a servant then surely we too can serve each other. In God’s Kingdom it is not enough to simply serve the King and then ourselves. Others must be served above and beyond ourselves. We must consider the needs of others as being more important than our own needs. We must be at the ready to serve, to give and even to lay down our lives for each other in imitation of our Lord and Saviour, our King!
The old adage really is true. Joy comes from putting Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last. Why don’t you try it and see for yourself?
Prayer:
Using today’s Bible passage and notes write down points for
Adoration:
Confession
Thanks
Supplication:
· Pray for the Committee of Management as it meets tonight. Pray that the Lord would bless each person on the Committee with wisdom, with insight and with a deep gospel centred heart that yearns to grow the Kingdom .
· Ask the Lord to make your congregation an exceedingly generous congregation so that the Kingdom of God can be advanced powerfully throughout the world.
1. In what ways is the argument that the disciples had replicated in churches today?
2. If you were to paint a model of leadership based on Jesus’ words, what would that model look like?
3. Discuss how this model might apply to
a. members of Session
b. members of Committee of Management
c. ministry leaders
d. congregational members.
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