A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”
The Gospel of Luke captures an awkward moment for Jesus and his disciples. Right after he speaks of his pending betrayal and death, they launch into an argument about which one of them is the greatest. Yet Jesus was not silenced by their inappropriateness. Rather, he seized a teachable moment, calling his disciples to be servants to each other, just as he was being a servant to them. The challenge of Jesus is for us too. Are we willing to be humble servants, just like our Master?
When I read Luke 22. This chapter describes what happened during Jesus’s last meal with his disciples. In verses 14-23, Jesus reinterpreted the Passover meal so as to point to his own imminent death. He also mentioned that one who was with him at the table would soon betray him. But then, “A dispute arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest” (Luke 22:24). Now that must have been an awkward moment, at least for Jesus. He was preparing to die a painful death while his disciples were arguing over their own greatness. Ouch!
Jesus, however, didn’t get stuck by the awkwardness of what his disciples had said. Rather, he saw a teachable moment, a time to help his followers understand both his calling and their calling. Jesus began by noting that Gentile rulers revel in their power and reputation (Luke 22:25). “But not so with you;” he said, “rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like one who serves.” Then he pointed to his own example. “I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27). Thus, the disciples of Jesus should not seek their own greatness and glory. Rather, like their Lord, they should serve others humbly, even sacrificially.
You and I may not get into arguments about our greatness, but we can be overly concerned about how we look, about what others think of us. We can savor our personal position and authority. Yet, if we seek to follow Jesus, we are called to something completely different. Even if we are leaders, we should serve those whom we lead. We must be willing to humble ourselves as we lead the people entrusted to our care.
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