Leaders Are to Serve
TRANSLATION
(21) (Jesus said,) “But the hand of the one who will betray me is with mine on the table. (22) For the Son of Man will go as has been decreed, but woe to that person who betrays him!” (23) And they began to question among themselves which one of them could do such a thing.
(24) There also arose a dispute among them regarding who among them should be considered the greatest. (25) He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ (26) But you are not to be like that. Rather, let the greatest among you become like the youngest and the leader as one who serves. (27) For who is greater, the one who reclines at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as one who serves.
(28) “You are the ones who have stayed with me in my trials, (29) and I confer on you, as my Father has conferred on me, a Kingdom (30) that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
OBSERVATIONS
This segment contains several word repetitions that point us to three issues which Jesus addressed at the Last Supper. Note that “table” is found four times indicating that the entire discussion took place while they were sharing the Passover meal together (vss. 21, 27, & 30). “Betrays/betrayed” occurred twice emphasizing the first issue, the fact that Jesus knew it was Judas who was about to hand him over to his enemies (vss. 21 & 22). “Greatest/greater” is found three times (vss. 24, 26, & 27). Three times the word, “serves,” was used (vss. 26 & 27). These two repetitions point to the fact that the disciples were arguing with each other regarding who was the greatest, the next issue that Jesus had to address. Finally, “Kingdom” occurred twice pointing to a final issue that arose, the great promise that Jesus made to the disciples regarding the rewards and responsibilities they would share in the future Kingdom which he would establish as ruler of the nation of Israel (vss. 29 & 30).
OUTLINE
I. Jesus identified the disciple who would betray him. (21-23)
II. Jesus addressed the disciples’ ambitions with a call to humility. (24-27)
III. Jesus promised the disciples great rewards in his coming Kingdom for their faithfulness. (28-30)
IDEA STATEMENT
Positions of leadership in Christ’s future Kingdom will be given to those who have learned from Jesus’ example to serve others with humility.
APPLICATION
With the phrase, “but let it not be so with you,” Jesus called his disciples to a radically different outlook and lifestyle from that which the world values. Instead of aspiring to greatness, we are to seek opportunities to serve one another. Instead of promoting our personal agendas, we are to put the concerns of others first. Ambition and aggressiveness are to be abandoned and, instead, we are to assume the role of servants. Paul expressed it this way to the Philippians: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:3-5).
When confronted with this requirement, we find ourselves asking, “Is it possible for us to live in this power-obsessed world with the mind of Christ?” If left to our own resources, the answer would clearly be in the negative, but empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit, we can joyfully adopt this mindset. The Acts of the Apostles, setting forth the history of the early church, clearly spelled out how the followers of Jesus displayed the mind of Christ in their lives and ministries. Likewise, we must become increasingly conformed to the humility of our Savior as the Holy Spirit transforms our inner yearnings from ambitious self-seeking to selfless servanthood for Jesus’ sake.