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Luke 22:24–38 (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. 28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” 35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”
Many of you know that when I was a youth pastor, every spring I took a group of high school and college students to northern Mexico to build modest little houses for families in need. It was quite the undertaking and required loads of planning and preparation.
One of the greatest challenges was preparing people who were joining us for the first time. We created elaborate checklists for them to follow and often spoke about the conditions they would encounter and what to expect during the course of the week. We did everything we could to equip people to be ready for a week that would challenge and stretch them in every way, but oftentimes, people were unprepared for what they would see, smell, and experience.
That’s the sense of what Jesus is doing in this passage; He’s trying to prepare the disciples for what’s about to unfold, but the disciples, and Peter in particular, are not grasping what Jesus is saying. They’re concerned about their own greatness and are struggling to wade through the difficult things Jesus is saying to them.
At first, the disciples are confused as Jesus flips the cultural norm on its head by saying that greatness isn’t about the status of one’s position above others. Jesus corrects the disciples' thinking and tells them that greatness is found in serving others; an example that Jesus had been living out in their presence and was about to live out in the greatest way possible through His death on the cross.
In the middle part of the passage, Jesus addresses His disciples specifically and speaks of His kingdom and the conferring of kingdoms upon His disciples. The point Jesus is making is that the ultimate goal of discipleship isn’t for the purpose of standing in the “winner’s circle” in the end. Disciples of Jesus are transformed as they follow Jesus. They become like Jesus in that they are servants and participate in the mission of Jesus.
You see, it is all about Jesus. Jesus makes that clear in verses 28-30 when He speaks of “my trials,” “my kingdom,” and “my table.” Disciples of Jesus, then and now, are heirs and partners in the ministry and mission of Jesus.
There’s also the crushing word to Peter about Peter’s pending denial. Peter makes a brave boast, but Jesus doesn’t pull back. Three times, Peter will deny that he even knows who Jesus is, but there is hope as Jesus speaks of the time of Peter’s restoration, and that when it happens, Peter is to strengthen his brothers.
Finally, there’s the last bit about swords. It’s important to understand that Jesus is not advocating for violence as a means for spreading the Gospel; that would go against what Jesus has just said and how Jesus has lived His life throughout Luke’s Gospel. The command to “buy a sword” must be understood as a metaphor admonishing the disciples to be prepared. When the disciples present Jesus with two swords, Jesus’ response of “It is enough” is literally Jesus ending the conversation as if Jesus were saying, “enough about swords already, that’s not the point.”
But what then is the point? The point that the disciples are missing is what Jesus says in verse 37, “Scripture is being fulfilled in me.” It’s a reference to the prophecy about the Messiah found in Isaiah 53:12. Jesus’ death on the cross will bring about a rightful end to what the Scriptures have foretold as Jesus, the Servant, bears our sin and intercedes for our transgressions.
As I think about the entire passage, I’m fascinated by the fact that after all this time with Jesus, the disciples still struggle to grasp what Jesus is saying, doing, and who He is, and yet, I’m overwhelmed by the love and grace that Jesus continues to pour out upon His flawed disciples.
It’s a wonderfully comforting thought when we realize that we’re just as flawed as they are.
God bless you and know that you are constantly in my prayers!
Scott
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