In the following article you will find a brief commentary on Luke 22 and 23 that goes along with our Riverside Church Two Year Bible Reading Plan (Volume 1 & Volume 2). This plan will allow you to read the New Testament and Psalms once every year and the Old Testament once every two years.
Luke 22:24–27 (ESV)
24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 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.
When we read about the trial and death of Jesus we do well to keep the context before us at all times. Jesus is about to suffer and die, taking the guilt and condemnation of all of our sin to the cross, enduring separation from the Father and the wrath of God against our rebellion.
In the midst of this drama Jesus teaches his followers about that which is important, the call to serve in humility. This is stunning. We, of course, tend to take our moments of trial as opportunity to ignore others. We turn the focus to ourselves and often even grant ourselves permission to be selfish and unkind. Not Jesus. He came to give his life; he came to serve; he came to set us free from enslaving sin that we might walk in his steps.
It is sad, no doubt, that when Jesus was facing his biggest trial his followers were thinking about themselves (verse 24). It is amazing, on the other hand, that Jesus was thinking not of himself but of them, of us! All of this points of course to why the cross was needed, and to why the sacrifice of our Lord was sufficient for all we need. Praise his name!
