Questions Jesus Asked

Questions Jesus Asked Preaching & Teaching Series February 16th & 17th, 2013

We continue our series on… Today… “Who is greater, the one at table or the one serving?”

What’s This Lesson About? True greatness requires humility and a servant’s spirit. Remembering what Jesus did for us should promote these qualities. This lesson can help you achieve true greatness by living a life of humble service.

Remembering Jesus’ Example Luke 22:19-2319 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Remembering Jesus’ Example 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Remembering Jesus’ Example • Jesus lived a life of humility and servant hood. • The final week of Jesus’ life is the best example of Jesus being our servant through His death on the Cross. • On Maundy Thursday, Jesus gathers His disciples to celebrate the Passover, which He reinterprets, giving us the Lord’s Supper.

Remembering Jesus’ Example • The original Passover remembered: • God’s rescue of His people from Egyptian slavery; • Blood was applied to the doorpost and protected the first born male from dying; • God had commanded the Israelites to celebrate the Passover in future generations;

Remembering Jesus’ Example • The Bread of Passover was unleavened bread, because the Israelites left Egypt in such a hurry. • Jesus reinterprets the bread as His Body, the same Body He would sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary. • How can bread be body? • I have no idea; • But if Jesus is God and He said bread is body, that’s good enough for me!

Remembering Jesus’ Example • The Passover celebration included the drinking of four cups of wine, establishing a covenant between God and His people. • Jesus reinterprets the wine as His Blood of the New Covenant that God would establish between God and His people. • How can wine be blood? • I have no idea; • But if Jesus is God and He said wine is blood, that is good enough for me.

Remembering Jesus’ Example • Jesus said His blood was “shed foryou.” • Jesus’ substitutionary death for sinners; • Jesus died our death and spilt His blood to cover our sins; • This self-giving approach to life becomes the model we are to live by; • Unfortunately, disciples of Jesus (Past and Present) don’t live out selflessness;

Avoid Worldly Perspectives Luke 22:24-2724 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.

Avoid Worldly Perspectives 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. 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.

Avoid Worldly Perspectives • An argument begins as to who is the “greatest” disciple? • Name some disciples of Jesus – just shout them out! • Why did you name 2,000 year old ones? • Today, the argument has shifted some, that those back then were the greatest disciples, which means present day disciples, you and me, we’re off the hook! Nothing is further from the truth!

Avoid Worldly Perspectives • Jesus contrasts worldly greatness from spiritual greatness: • Worldly greatness was all about rule and power; • Spiritual greatest was all about giving and self-sacrifice; • Worldly greatness was all about the king being care for by the people; • Spiritual greatness was all about the king taking care of His people;

Avoid Worldly Perspectives Normally, we would say the one who is being SERVED! • The foot washing in John’s Gospel demonstrates this contrast in a tangible way. • To really drive home the point, Jesus asks, “Who is greater?” • The one who sits at table and is served? • The one who serves those at the table? • Jesus came to serve, not be served. • So, what is expected of Jesus’ disciples? No, but the One who is doing the SERVING!

Adopt Kingdom Perspectives Luke 22:28-3028 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Adopt Kingdom Perspectives • Jesus builds His Kingdom with people who “stand by in His trials.” • In spite of plots against Jesus’ life; • In spite of the fickleness of the crowds; • In spite of the temptations of Satan; • The disciples had adopted Kingdom goals not worldly ones.

Adopt Kingdom Perspectives • Jesus would “bestow” the kingdom God on them. The Kingdom of God: • Like salvation – is God’s gift; • Has present implication: This kingdom of God, Jesus says, “is not observable, as look here or look there, but it is within you.” • Has future implications: Ultimately, it is still coming, for we first have to “pass through many troubles.”

Adopt Kingdom Perspectives • This present -- future tension is often referred to as the “already but not yet.” • We experience the Kingdom of God here and now as we follow our Lord and Savior Jesus. • When one receives Jesus for the first time; • When a prayer of healing/protection is answered; • These are all examples of God’s Kingdom already here and now;

Adopt Kingdom Perspectives • But some aspects of our salvation await a future fulfillment. • No more sickness and death; • The full joy and happiness we will have in heaven with God; • These are all examples of God’s Kingdom yet to come;

Adopt Kingdom Perspectives • In heaven, there will be two rewards that Jesus’ disciples will receive: • The disciples will eat and drink at Jesus’ table in the His Kingdom; • All the banquet parables of Jesus; • The marriage feast between Jesus and His bride – the Church; • The disciples will sit on thrones and reign with Jesus in His Kingdom;

Questions Jesus Asked