Luke Twenty-Two, part two

Reading: Luke 22.24-38

Scripture: "But you are not like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves." - Luke 22.26

Observations: I'm amazed at how quickly the conversation around the table turns from who of us is going to betray him to who will be the greatest? The pecking order must be established. Jesus tells them that in his kingdom there is no pecking order. Unlike the kingdoms of the Gentiles where the powerful lord their authority over the weak, the greatest in Jesus' kingdom will use their authority to serve the weak. And, by the way, Peter, you're going to learn this lesson the hard way, you are going to be humbled by your failure. But when you learned your lesson, strengthen the others (v.32).

Apply: The pecking order mentality is as old as Cain and Abel. And, it is rotten to the core. Jesus had been teaching all about the kingdom and now he is about to demonstrate the deepest truth of the kingdom of God to his disciples, who at this point still had not understood. That deepest truth is that the kingdom of God comes, not through power and swords, but through weakness, suffering and sacrificial love.

Prayer: Jesus, it is so easy and human to rank ourselves with others. Forgive us of our prideful urge to figure out how we can get above others. May we see that true leadership is serving others with Jesus' love in Jesus ways.