Topics – Heaven, Kingdom of God, Sacrifice, Power
Jesus came both to save us and to reveal the character of God to us. Rather than coming in great power God came and served. Jesus calls us to “opt out” of the worldly desire to be better than others and learn to love them even when we profoundly disagree with them.
Focus Scripture – Luke 22:23-30HIDESHOW
23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
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.
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.
Extended SummaryHIDESHOW
Greg started by explaining that heaven will be when God’s kingdom is manifest here on earth. So, how we live as Christians now is supposed to be in anticipation of that new reality coming with the second return of Christ. One of the main ways God’s coming kingdom differs from this world is in what “greatness” means and what it looks like.
In Luke 22:23-30 the disciples were discussing who among them would be the one to betray Jesus. This went from each person denying that it would be them to the other end of the spectrum, who among them was the “greatest”? It’s typical for us to move away from blame and toward credit in the same movement, isn’t it? In fact, Jesus knew that each one of them would betray him in the coming hours, so it must have been especially painful for him to hear this. Instead of rebuking them—which they soundly deserved—he reminded them that they are not to be like those who are considered “great” in this age. Instead, he pointed out that they had already stood with Jesus through many trials and that greatness is expressed in serving rather than being served.
Greg reminded us that the disciples behavior was no different that Christian behavior in general through out history. Many wars have been fought between nation that understood themselves to be Christian. In fact, our own American history is no different. It is critical to the health of our faith that we not become confused about this: Christianity is not to be mixed with any other ideology, political agenda, or any other human construction. To be a follower of Jesus is radically different than any other human idea and when we blend Christian faith with other things, we undermine its power.
Jesus called us to quit the “Who’s the Greatest Game”. We are not greater than any other human being. We are all sinners in need of God’s grace. When we forget this, we begin to fall into the trap of elevating ourselves over others and judging them as less than us in some way.
In Luke 22:23-30 the disciples were discussing who among them would be the one to betray Jesus. This went from each person denying that it would be them to the other end of the spectrum, who among them was the “greatest”? It’s typical for us to move away from blame and toward credit in the same movement, isn’t it? In fact, Jesus knew that each one of them would betray him in the coming hours, so it must have been especially painful for him to hear this. Instead of rebuking them—which they soundly deserved—he reminded them that they are not to be like those who are considered “great” in this age. Instead, he pointed out that they had already stood with Jesus through many trials and that greatness is expressed in serving rather than being served.
Greg reminded us that the disciples behavior was no different that Christian behavior in general through out history. Many wars have been fought between nation that understood themselves to be Christian. In fact, our own American history is no different. It is critical to the health of our faith that we not become confused about this: Christianity is not to be mixed with any other ideology, political agenda, or any other human construction. To be a follower of Jesus is radically different than any other human idea and when we blend Christian faith with other things, we undermine its power.
Jesus called us to quit the “Who’s the Greatest Game”. We are not greater than any other human being. We are all sinners in need of God’s grace. When we forget this, we begin to fall into the trap of elevating ourselves over others and judging them as less than us in some way.
Practical Applications (homework)HIDESHOW
During the Last Supper, we read that the disciples got into an
argument about who among them was “the greatest.” Jesus reminded them
(and us) that in his Kingdom, the greatest are those who look like “the
least” to the world – people who humbly serve others and give up their
lives out of love. Jesus also conferred the rights and responsibilities
of this Kingdom to us at the very same meal! Choose one of these ideas
for your homework this week:
- What is the biggest way that you are still caught in the “Who’s the Greatest?” game? What things in your life make you feel superior to others, or lead you to judge people? For the next week, pay close attention to your own attitudes about those around you, and keep a small notebook handy. When you find yourself thinking that you’re “greater” than someone, take a note of it. At the end of the week, review your patterns of judgment. Talk with someone about this habit, and pray together to ask God to help you begin to dismantle it.
- In what ways have you not accepted responsibility for bringing Christ’s Kingdom to the world? Are there issues that you think are important, but you’re waiting for someone else to tackle them? Problems, pain or injustices that bother you, but you haven’t done anything about them? What things in the world do you find yourself complaining about? This might be a clue about how God wants you active in advancing his Kingdom. Talk with someone you know who shares your conviction, and together, brainstorm ways that you can tangibly serve others and help to bring God’s will to earth “as it is in heaven.”
Reflection QuestionsHIDESHOW
- What stood out to you most from this message and the supporting text?
- When you think of heaven, what comes to mind for you? Do you picture it here on earth? Why or why not?
- Consider Jesus’ words again in today’s text. What is he really saying about “greatness”? How has Jesus modeled “greatness” for us? What are some other examples of true greatness that we see in Jesus’ life?
- Greg challenged us to be cautious about aligning ourselves too strongly with nationalism, political parties/agendas/denominations and other human constructions. Some of these organizations do some good, what is the concern Greg has about getting too caught up with them? How does it connect with the warning about “greatness”?
- Surprisingly, Jesus didn’t rebuke the disciples in the episode we’ve looked at today. Instead he confers on them the kingdom! What does this mean? Consider the words of the Lord’s prayer as you discuss this question.