S133P9 – Words to live by: the humble servant
Lk. 22:24-30
A dispute also arose among [the disciples], as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And [Jesus] said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Our department looked like your basic office space, utilitarian in design, nothing special. We called it the dungeon as it was the entry point for so many company employees, a place no one wanted to remain for long. One day, I was asked to join others in a conference room in another part of the building in order to take an exam for entry into another department. As we entered the physical C-suite, my jaw dropped. We were told to be quiet as we walked by the rich wood paneling and brass fixtures. Tiffany-style lamps adorned the desks, genuine oil portraits on the walls. From the appearance of this office, we knew its occupants were much greater then we were in that organization.
This passage tells us that the disciples were in dispute over position. They wanted to know who would be greatest among them. Jesus responds by contrasting two pictures of greatness. The first is a picture of worldly greatness, and that looks like what we might expect. The greater lords over the lesser; the master is served by the servant. In God’s kingdom, the picture is turned on its head. Jesus, the son of God who is God incarnate, the anointed One, is among these men as the one who serves them. In this world, He served, that He would be exalted beyond this world. The kingdom is his, and He will be sitting at the table in his kingdom, not serving at the table as He did here on Earth.
Jesus also describes to the disciples how they have served him, and He gives them a picture of their seats at his table. It is the same pattern. Jesus served here and will be exalted then. Likewise, they are to serve here, and they will be exalted then. [Mt. 23:1-12] The disciples inquired about their greatness, and Jesus responded by speaking of servitude. If we are to follow Christ, and to follow his example, we must follow the same pattern. Here, we serve. Exaltation by the Father will wait until then. While here, let us focus on our stature of servitude. Father, help us live lives of service while we are here, emulating the example of your Son.