He who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves

Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.' But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

- Luke 22:24-30

In yesterday's reading, Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper. He told His disciples that it was "with fervent desire" He desired to eat the Passover with them, as He will not partake again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. He took the cup and gave thanks, and then to each of them to divide, for He would not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. And then He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and distributed it, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." After the supper, He took the cup and told them, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." His betrayer was at the table. "And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed." The apostles questioned among themselves who would do this.

Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. Jesus has just told them of His betrayal, alluded to His death and suffering, and spoken of the blood which He will shed for the new covenant. But perhaps all the apostles have heard is talk of how Jesus will not eat or drink until the kingdom of God comes, or the Passover is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And so, with this in mind, they dispute about who will be greatest. It seems likely they still cannot conceive of what is to happen at all, and are confusing an imminent worldly kingdom with the words of Jesus. The first thing their minds go to is consideration of their positions in it.

And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.' But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. The title of "benefactor" was used by some rulers in the ancient world, despite tyrannical rule. Perhaps we can relate to this in much the same way some modern political figures of our era have called themselves benefactors and public servants as ways of hiding personal corruption and abuse of power. Jesus never shrinks from viewing reality as it is -- but despite that, He is teaching them the true ways of His kingdom. They must act in ways contrary to "worldly" ones. And so, this is His instruction for His Church.

For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." In John's Gospel, of course, we have the prime example of Jesus washing the disciples' feet at the Last Supper. But here in Luke, we look back upon His ministry and understand His service to all. Indeed, even here in the immediate context, He has served them with the wine and bread, the first Eucharist, the new covenant, and taught of the sacrifice He will make for all. But it's very important that He alludes to them as His friends, for they are truly the friends of the Bridegroom in this covenant meal -- they have remained with Him through His trials. They are the ones who have stayed with Him. And as such, He offers them His kingdom, even as His Father has bestowed it on Him -- He shares as the Eucharist is shared. They will eat and drink with Him there, and be made judges there -- such as the original judges appointed by God for Israel. My study bible has a note: "Jesus is not speaking of two different kingdoms but of one kingdom which will be fully revealed at His glorious return. Then, the disciples will sit on thrones occupying honorary positions as reward for sharing Christ's trials."

So let us think about what it is to share the trials of the One whom we love. When we are asked to bear our own cross daily, aren't we doing the same? What is it to be a true friend but to stick with one whom you love through all trials? We know that we have a Friend, for no matter what trials we may go through in life, we can call on His service and companionship, and we can find love and guidance. Each trial can, in fact, be an opportunity for drawing closer to our Companion, the Counselor, if we but learn to see it as such. How does your Friend draw near to help you in time of trial? How does His promise still hold true for each of us, and for the kingdom He shares? That covenant is His bond for a kingdom He shares for each of us, as we seek to serve, His way.