Luke’s gospel places the discussion between the apostles about “who is the greatest?” right after the Lord’s Supper implementation. Why here and what does this mean for us today? We discuss in this episode.

Music:
“Kid Kodi”
Blue Dot Sessions
www.sessions.blue

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Episode #55 – The Lord’s Supper: Part 4

Service Above Status and Greatness

A Dispute Over Greatness (Luke 22:24–30)

• Only Luke includes this story at the Last Supper. 
• Contradicts the service attitude of Jesus in the Lord’s Supper directly prior, where Jesus gives of his body and pours out his blood “for you.” 
• Jesus redefines greatness with a reference to the table (v. 27)
  • “Serve” (gk. διακονέω) – waiting on tables
    • Acts 6:2
    • The Greek word from which we get our title Deacon 
• Luke excludes Mark’s reference of Jesus’ explanation of his service as giving “his life [as] a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
  • Luke wants his readers to understand Jesus’ service as more inclusive than merely the giving of his life. 
  • Jesus’ Passion, as celebrated in the Lord’s Supper, is undoubtedly the most explicit image of Jesus’ service. 
  • However, Luke has presented Jesus as a servant throughout the Gospel. Jesus served, not only in his death, but also in his life, which was a ministry of service to the outcast, poor, blind, and diseased.

Luke’s Theme of Service

• Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38–42)
  • Service must be done in the context of the priorities of Jesus and the kingdom. 
• Jesus’ Woes to the Pharisees and La
• .. wyers (Luke 11:37–54)
  • The Pharisees desire “honor” and “respect” in the synagogue and marketplace while neglecting the “love” and “justice” of God. 
• The Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:1–24)
  • The guests “chose the places of honor.” 
  • The host only desires to invite those who can repay him. Jesus says to invite “the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind” who cannot repay.
    • The desire to repay connects to Jesus’ mention of “benefactors” at the Last Supper (22:24)
  • Eschatological banquet       ‘[

The Lord’s Supper, despite the disciples’ misunderstanding, is meant to reflect the service attitude of the kingdom by displaying the service attitude of Jesus in the breaking of bread and pouring out of wine. It is to recall the way the kingdom reprioritizes life around service in the context of the kingdom. Service and humility, especially to the outcast and needy, is the way of the kingdom because it is the way of Jesus, and it will be the way of the Eschaton. Therefore, Jesus’ disciples are to model the service orientation of Jesus in their own lives, specifically as they exercise leadership in the kingdom.