This week, God surprised me with this passage at the end of Luke. Jesus is having a nice little farewell party with his disciples. Only, they don’t know it. It’s just another feast of lamb to them. He’s sober and starting to sweat blood over what’s coming.
Meanwhile, his buds are arguing with each other over who’s going to be the GREATEST when all is said and done.
Surprisingly able to hold back his sure frustration at their petty squabble, Jesus says this:
“The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But 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. 27For 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. 28You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
I’ve loved following Jesus to this point-I’m one of His main dudes! I’m CHOSEN (He looked me square in the eye and said, “Follow me”). I’ve been sent out on missions for Him. I’ve seen Him transfigured; I’ve seen Him feed thousands with only a Lunchable or two. There have been a few tense moments, but for the most part, I’ve loved the ride so far. But, now He’s talking funny. ‘The greatest one should, (awkward pause), SERVE????’ I’m not sure I’m ready to follow Him to the Cross. That’s where everything gets rearranged.
- Being up means down
- Sitting in the best seat is the worst
- Being first means last place
- Being rich means real poverty
Jesus flipped this world around when He said, ‘I am among you as one who serves.’ The God of the Universe, the Creator of it all, put on flesh and washed the feet He created in the first place. So who am I and what in the world am I thinking as I push and shove my way toward the world’s measures of greatness?
- Jesus was the strongest and yet He became the weakest
- Jesus was the wisest and yet He was treated as a fool
- Jesus was the most beautiful and yet He was broken and torn
- Jesus was the most worthy and yet He was the most despised
Jesus doesn’t remain in that weak, torn, despised place, though. He is now seated in the heavenly places. And so for His disciples too, there is a promise of greatness, you can see it here in the text. But that greatness is reserved for those who choose the place of service here and now.
Can you believe Scripture says that Servants are the Greatest? That’s so upside down.
Derek Webb created an entire album around this theme a few years back. It wasn’t the fave of Derek’s fans, but some of my favorite Webb songs are on the album. This is a great song about the upside down Kingdom Jesus created. A very inexpensive download of this great song is available here too. Read the lyrics if nothing else…
What Is Not Love
What looks like failure is success
And what looks like poverty is riches
When what is true looks more like a knife
It looks like you’re killing me
But you’re saving my life
But I give myself to what looks like love
And I sell myself for what feels like love
And I pay to get what is not love
And all just because I see things upside down
What looks like weakness can do anything
And what looks like foolishness is understanding
When what is powerful has not come to fight
It looks like you’re going to war
But you lay down your life
What looks like torture is a time to rejoice
What sounds like thunder is a comforting voice
When what is beautiful looks broken and crushed
And I say I don’t know you
But you say it’s finished
When what is beautiful looks broken and crushed
And I say I don’t know you
But you say it’s finished
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