A KINGDOM OF SERVANTS
Opening Prayer
As I anticipate living this day, Lord God, please guide me by your Spirit—in my thoughts, my work, my conversations—even as I play. Help me to be different so that others see Jesus in me.
Read LUKE 22:24–38
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Nothing,” they answered.
36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[a]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”
38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”
“That’s enough!” he replied.
Footnotes
- Luke 22:37 Isaiah 53:12
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Think of believers you know or have known who serve the church in love and humility. In what ways have they blessed you?How easily we slip from moments of great depth, significance, and worship into our old, sinful patterns! It is likely that the disciples were still sitting at the meal table—with the taste of the precious symbols of Jesus’ coming sacrifice still on their lips—when they started arguing about which of them was the greatest (v. 24). Jesus taught them, again, that his kingdom is not like the kingdoms of the world. Yes, he would make the disciples great, but they weren’t to exploit this, rather to act as willing servants. The way of love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 provides a good picture of the kind of leadership they should have embodied.
Also notice the promise of restoration in verses 31 and 32. Jesus knew that all the disciples would be tested, and Peter in particular would fail the test. Yet he also knew that Peter would repent. He would ‘turn back’ (v. 32)—and when he did, he was to strengthen the others.
What a gracious, glorious Lord—even before we fail him, he is ready to forgive and to use us again!
Apply
Are there areas where you need to put to death any pride or self-seeking in your heart?
Closing prayer
Thank you, Lord, for your patience with me, and for your unending forgiveness for my sins and failures. Thank you that you know all about me, love me, and even pray for me.
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