In The Word
Read: Luke 22:14-30
The Lord’s Supper
14 When the hour came, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And when He had taken a cup andgiven thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, which is being given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant in My blood. 21 But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. 22 For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23 And they began to debate among themselves which one of them it was who was going to do this.
Who Is Greatest
24 And a dispute also developed among them as to which one of them was regarded as being the greatest. 25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles domineer over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 But it is not this way for you; rather, the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. 27 For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
28 “You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials; 29 and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Jesus and His disciples gathered to eat their last supper together before His crucifixion. He explained that the bread they would eat represented His body that would be given willingly for crucifixion. The cup represented the shedding of His blood that would usher in the new covenant. At this time, Jesus revealed that one of the disciples would betray Him. The disciples missed the significant reverence of the moment and argued about who was the greatest disciple. So Jesus told them that they would all find honor at the right time in Heaven, but, before that happened, the path to greatness was to humble themselves and serve others.
Jesus willingly gave Himself as a sacrifice by offering His body and blood to secure our salvation. This humble, sacrificial service won Him the greatest place of honor: being seated next to the heavenly Father. Some of the disciples and others thought Jesus would redeem His people by becoming great as an earthly king and defeating Israel’s enemies with force. But God’s way for Jesus was the humble path of servanthood.
Too often people want to become great and make a name for themselves. But Jesus said, “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12). Instead of seeking to become great in man’s eyes, seek God’s path to serve others and make God’s name known, then God will exalt you.