In coming to fulfill the Law and fulfill God's plan for redemption, reconciliation, and restoration, Jesus brought a worldview that turned things upside down. The Sermon on the Mount is a great example ("the meek shall inherit the earth"). Jesus brought a new way of thinking that clashed with worldly norms. In the series The Chosen, after calling Matthew the tax collector to follow Him, Jesus tells Peter, "Get used to different."

In today's passage, Jesus points his disciples to a different view on leading, of shepherding the flock. Rather than rule with authority, a follower of Jesus shall shepherd as a servant. Yet Jesus leaves His disciples with a foretaste of the kingdom to come…the final fulfillment of their journey.

[Luke 22.24-30]

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.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Do we not see that worldly rulers throughout history fit Jesus' description in v. 25 ("Let them eat cake" and returning our taxes as "stimulus checks")?

+ What were the disciples – and all of Israel for that matter – expecting in their Messiah (see Daniel 7.13-14, for example) and how might this lead to a dispute about who was the greatest?

+ The Greek word for “let” in v. 26 is an imperative, meaning it is a command. What significance does that have on the statement Jesus is making?

+ What picture is Jesus painting for His disciples in v. 27, particularly in the context of having just celebrated the Passover dinner (first communion) and washed their feet (as recorded in John 13.1-11)?

+ What promise does Jesus give to His followers who adopt this posture of servanthood (vv. 28-30)?

+ What is the relationship between the command “love your neighbor”, where “love” is agape or sacrificial love, and Jesus’ teaching in this passage?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Most of us have hold a position of influence over someone in our lives (a child, an employee, a mentee, a friend, even a stranger). Am I adopting the posture that Jesus commands in v. 26?

+ How does Jesus’ obedience in the Gospel, as seen in Romans 5.6-8, call me to live as His follower?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Who in my life do I hold influence over and can model the Gospel through my agape toward them?