Luke 22:21-30
21 But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table.
22 For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”
23 And they began to debate among themselves which one of them it was who was going to do this.
24 And a dispute also developed among them as to which one of them was regarded as being the greatest.
25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles domineer over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’
26 But it is not this way for you; rather, the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.
27 For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
28 “You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials;
29 and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you
30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The Last Supper (2)
Betrayal of Judah foretold
From verse 21 onward, Jesus foretold Judas’s betrayal. Judas must have continued his deception skillfully, for none of the disciples realized that he was the betrayer. Let us note two key points here: (1) Jesus said, “For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined.” This means that Jesus recognized His death on the cross as part of God’s divine plan. (2) Yet this does not in any way lessen Judas’s guilt. Jesus said, “But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table,” and also, “But woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.” Have you ever used the phrase, “This is God’s will,” too lightly, as a way to avoid responsibility? God’s sovereignty and His plan never make us irresponsible. If there are areas in which we have been careless or irresponsible as believers, let us repent of them now.
Who is greatest in the kingdom of God
The disciples seemed deeply concerned with the question of who among them was the greatest. This clearly shows how far their hearts were from the heart of Jesus, who was standing on the brink of the cross. So, Jesus taught them an important lesson. (1) The disciples would one day receive positions of authority to reign with Jesus in the kingdom of God. The phrase “judging the twelve tribes of Israel” refers to the right to rule within God’s kingdom. (2) Therefore, as disciples of Jesus, we must abandon the pursuit of power and earnestly seek to become people who are worthy to reign as rulers in the kingdom of God. (3) “Becoming like the youngest” and “becoming like the one who serves” is the path to true greatness. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, setting an example of what genuine greatness looks like. He said, “For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you” (John 13:15). What does it mean for you, specifically, to wash the feet of your brothers and sisters? Let’s apply this teaching to your own life today.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, I thank You for teaching me what true greatness means in Your kingdom. Please give me wisdom, strength, and courage to put into practice what I have learned today in my daily life. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.