St Louis UBF UBF Bible Study : Luke 22:24-38 (2012)

Bible Study Materials

Luke 22:24-38 (2012)

by Paul Choi 02/19/2012

Question

LIVING AS NEW COVENANT PEOPLE

Luke 22:24-38

Key Verse:22:26

1. Read verse 24. What had he been talking about? Why did their discussion escalate into a dispute?

2. Read verses 25-27. What is the concept of greatness held by people of the world? What does Jesus teach about greatness? What was Jesus’ example?

3. Read verses 28-30. What is the greatness that Jesus sees in his disciples? What does he promise them? How is greatness in heaven different from greatness on earth?

4. Read verses 31-32. How did Jesus view Simon Peter’s weakness? What confidence did Jesus have about Simon Peter? What mission did Jesus give him?

5. Read verses 33-34. How did Peter’s view of himself differ from Jesus’ understanding of Peter?

6. Read verses 35-38. What new instructions did Jesus give his disciples? Why? What did his new instructions mean?

7. Review all of the contrasts in this passage. What should we learn from this passage?

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LIVING AS NEW COVENANT PEOPLE-questions (1).doc

Message

THE GREATEST IS THE ONE WHO SERVES

Luke 22:24-38

Key Verse:22:26 “But 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.”

In the previous passage, we learned that Jesus established a new covenant in his own blood. The very night before he was crucified, Jesus had the Passover meal with his twelve disciples. During the meal Jesus took the bread and said to them, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (19) In the same way, Jesus took the cup saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (20) What Jesus had said was fulfilled when he died on the cross for our sins. His body was torn and his bones were crushed, while nails pierced his hands and feet, and a spear his side. The crimson blood gushed out from his hands, foot, and side. As he had foretold, Jesus gave his life for the sins of the world as the Lamb of God. (Jn 1:29) As he had promised, anyone who believes in him and accepts his blood will receive forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and the kingdom of God as their inheritance. In John’s gospel Jesus said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (Jn 6:54) Amen!

Today’s passage teaches us how Jesus helped his disciples to prepare for their upcoming trials without Jesus. Jesus would soon be arrested, tried, and crucified. However, Jesus cared for his disciples who would confront challenges all by themselves after his departure. Let’s see how Jesus helped his disciples to become one and to prepare their life without him.

First, who is the greatest? (24-30). Look at verse 24. “Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.” Jesus had just finished the Passover meal and established a new covenant in his blood. His disciples should have thought about the meaning of Jesus’ words and discussed how to interpret and how to accept them. Instead, a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. They were like senseless and selfish children who were arguing among themselves who will get more money as inheritance in front of their dying father. Jesus could have rebuked them saying, “You, selfish and heartless guys! How could you treat me like this, huh? You are all nobody.” Jesus didn’t say so. Jesus did not discourage their desire to be great. Instead, Jesus taught them who the truly great is in the kingdom of God and how to become really great in the sight of God.

Look at verses 25,26. “Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But 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.” Jesus warned his disciples not to follow this world. In this world people try to become great by lording over people and by exercising their authority over others. Human history is the continuation of bloody power struggles between nations and nations, tribes and tribes, families and families, and persons and persons. There has been no peace from these power struggles in human history. In the beginning, Satan was condemned and thrown down to this earth after he had attempted to win over God the Creator. This Satan tempted a woman to challenge God and confront his authority. Cain killed his brother Abel out of jealousy. It was Cain’s power struggle with his younger brother. Since then, the history of the world has been stained with the blood of those who desired to dominate others with swords, guns, and bombs.

Power struggles belong not only to the world, but also to believers. Look at Jesus’ disciples. The power struggle among them, who is the greatest, was a more serious matter than the new covenant in Jesus’ blood. This struggle was related to their future security and benefits. They all anticipated Jesus’ imminent earthly messianic kingdom. They expected that Jesus would destroy the Roman Empire and build a New Jerusalem under Jesus’ kingship. So, the issue of who will possess the first seat in Jesus’ cabinet became a very serious and urgent matter to them. They wanted to solve this matter before the day Jesus started his new kingdom.

I have seen many power struggles among co-workers and church members around the world. So-called winners laugh loudly while losers weep bitterly. Because of these power struggles, churches were divided, co-workers became enemies, and the unity of Christian fellowship was broken. They all made their own excuses and reasons to justify themselves. Nevertheless, in the midst of these struggles, some were deeply hurt, others were crushed, and still others lost their faith.

Then, why do people want to become great? Is struggling to become great a committing sin? Not at all! Jesus didn’t say to his disciples, “You are sinning against God while you are arguing who is greatest.” In fact, the desire to become great is our innate desire, which was endowed by God the Creator. Our God is great. We sing the hymn, “How great thou art!”, praising the greatness of the Almighty God. Our God is great and we are created in his image. Therefore, we have desire to become great like our Father God, as children resemble their own father. Abraham followed God who had promised to make his name great and to make him a great nation. (Ge 12:2,3)

The disciples of Jesus followed him to become great. But, their desire to become great was tarnished by their selfishness, jealousy, and greed. We all want to become great. Everybody wants to be number one, not number two. All want to play as main actors, not supporting actors. Shepherd Ben wants to be a good minister of Christ Jesus. He wants to become a great servant of God. We all really become great when we learn from Jesus about how to be truly great in the sight of God. How did Jesus teach his disciples to become great?

Look at verse 26 again. “But 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.” What a paradoxical teaching of Jesus this was! Jesus taught that those who want to become great should be like the youngest. In the ancient Jewish society, younger people were treated as immature and lower than their elders. Higher positions were available to the aged. Joseph, who was the youngest among twelve brothers, and David, the youngest among eight, were errand boys for their old brothers. In Asian culture, the junior should respect the senior. So, strangers meet, they greet and ask of their age first in order to keep the elderly order among them. But, Jesus said that they should be like the youngest in order to be great. Jesus meant that they should be humble and lower themselves than others. The Apostle Paul said to the saints in the Philippians’ Church, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Php 2:3)

Next, Jesus taught his disciples to serve others in order to become great. “…and the one who rules like the one who serves.” People feel great when they are served. However, Jesus said that a truly great man is not the one who is served, but who serves. Jesus continued. Look at verse 27. “For 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.” Generally, the one who is at the table is a master and those who serve are servants or slaves. According to worldly consensus, masters are greater than servants. But, Jesus taught his disciples to become servants, the servants of all. In Mark’s gospel Jesus said to them, “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (Mk 10:43,44)

Not only did Jesus teach them, but also he showed them an example how to serve. One evening, Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciple’s feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (Jn 13:3-5) Usually a servant washes his master’s feet. But, Jesus, their master, washed his disciples’ feet. Here, washing other’s feet indicates forgiving other’s sin. Washing another’s feet means bearing another’s weak points, mistakes, and accepting them as my brother or sister. After washing their feet, Jesus asked his disciples. “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you….Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (Jn 13:12-17)

We cannot but praise and give thanks to Jesus who came to this world not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk 10:45) Jesus is God in very nature. He deserves to be worshiped, honored, and served as the Lord of lords and the King of kings. However, he made himself nothing and appeared as a man. He served sinners one by one until he became like a tender shoot and like a root out of dry ground. He also became familiar with sufferings. (Is 53:2,3) Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of God, Jesus, had no place to lay his head. (Mt 8:20) He healed the sick day and night. He taught the kingdom of God with all his might. Finally, he gave his life on the cross as a ransom for many. He shed his precious blood to pay the penalty for our sins and poured out his whole life as a drink offering. He gave his life to save us and redeem us from the slavery of sin. Although he was the Son, he became obedient to the Father, even to the point of death. Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. (Php 2:9-11)

We respect Dr. Albert Schweitzer, who left behind his career as a medical doctor, musician, and writer, and went to Africa to serve people there. It was because he followed in the beautiful footsteps of Jesus Christ who gave his life for the world. Like Dr. Schweitzer, some among our UBF missionaries, such as Dr. Samuel Yoo and Dr. Joseph Chung, went to Uganda in Africa to be with the African people and to heal them. Numerous people among our brothers and sisters have followed Jesus’ beautiful life, leaving their countries, families and career. Some of them died of diseases. Others were buried in a foreign land. Still others are ready to go. They are truly great in the kingdom of God.

As the pastor of this church, a senior among us, and the household of my family, I desired to be served more than to serve. Last week, such my selfish desire hurt my wife missionary Mary, who needed care more than any other days because she was sick. Still I desired to be served by her. What a wretched sinner I am! By standing before my Lord Jesus Christ who came to serve and to give his life for me, I cannot but confess that I am a proud and selfish sinner who needs God’s mercy and forgiveness. Jesus did not come to be served though he is the Son of God. Rather, he came to serve and gave his life for this world. Please pray for me to follow in Jesus’ beautiful footsteps and to live as a sacrificial and humble servant of God, and a responsible husband to my wife and a father to my children. Amen.

On standing before Jesus and reflecting ourselves through him, we all cannot but become humble and purify ourselves. None dares to boast about their pride, human achievements, and positions before the Son of God. There is another reason why we should put aside worldly glory and power struggles. It is because we all enter the kingdom of God and God will make us great in his kingdom. Look at verses 28-30. “You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Those who follow Jesus will enter his kingdom. We, Christians, will eat and drink at Jesus’ table in his kingdom and will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Worldly glory and honor are temporal. Heavenly glory and honor are eternal. A truly great man is the one who seeks heavenly glory and honor. A truly great man is he who is approved by God. They are worthy of serving the Lord in heaven forever.

Second, Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial. (31-38) Peter always thought that he was the top among the twelve. He was more than sure of his love and loyalty for Jesus. But, Jesus foretold Peter’s denial. Look at verses 31,32. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus knew that Simon Peter’s faith would be tested when he was arrested. But, Jesus believed that Peter’s faith would not disappear. Rather, after restoring his faith, he would encourage others. Jesus understood Peter’s weakness, still he trusted in Peter.

When Peter heard Jesus’ words, his pride was hurt. He felt sorry that Jesus might have doubted his faith and loyalty. So he said to Jesus. “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” (33) But Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” (34) Jesus predicted Peter’s denial in detail. Why did Jesus tell of Peter’s denial in advance? It was because Jesus wanted to help Peter to remember Jesus’ words so that he might overcome his failure. Later, Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him and wept bitterly after he’d denied Jesus three times. (22:56-62)

In verses 35-38, Jesus instructed his disciples how to prepare for the upcoming trials and challenges. His words sounded contradictory to his previous instructions. (10:3) But, what Jesus really purposed was to help his disciples to prepare their life without him. Soon Jesus would be arrested, suffer, and die. Jesus’ disciples would be in severe trials under life-threatening persecutions. Jesus wanted them to be strong and courageous to overcome the world as he overcame the world.

In today’s passage, we learned who are the truly great and how to become great in the sight of God. Power struggles on this earth are like children’s comparing their heights and saying “Who is taller between you and me?” From above with bird’s view, they are the same; all are below 6 foot. But, those who learn of Jesus and follow in his footsteps are spiritual giants. I pray that all of us here may grow as spiritual giants by following Jesus’ example. What is the example of Jesus? Jesus humbled himself and became a servant, giving his life as a ransom for many. If you die to your sin, to your pride and selfishness, you will be considered to be greatest in the kingdom of God. The night before he suffered, Jesus prayed for his disciples to be one. (Jn 17:11) God used them greatly when they became one. I believe God will use us, our church greatly for Bible America and for world mission when we become one in Christ Jesus. May God help us to do so. Amen.

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