Luke 22: 21- 38 Who is the Greatest?

Luke 22: 21- 38 Who is the Greatest?

"And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me is with me on the table; for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed." And they began to debate among themselves who among them would do such a deed. Then an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest. He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as 'Benefactors'; but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the one who serves. It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. "Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers." He said to him, "Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you." But he replied, "I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me." He said to them, "When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?" "No, nothing," they replied. He said to them, 12 "But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, 'He was counted among the wicked'; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment."

Following the Passover meal but before they left the room and headed to the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus and his followers remained at table. These are there last few minutes together uninterrupted. How do they spend those minutes? Disputes and denials. The disciples argue among themselves – who is the betrayer that Christ hinted at? Then - who is the greatest among them? Peter’s denial is also foretold. Poor Jesus. He needs his disciples’ encouragement, their compassion, as he approaches his suffering and death. Instead they are focused on themselves. Jesus patiently explains that “it cannot be that way with you”. “Let the greater among you be as the youngest, the leader as the servant”, Jesus says to them. And to Simon Peter he says, “ You must strengthen your brothers.” Jesus has done all he can for them. Soon it will be up to them and to the Holy Spirit. An amazingly, that will be enough. This is the groups that founded our entire faith – The Christian faith. With Christ’s words and deeds for inspiration and the help of the Holy Spirit, they and we are capable of many good things.