Bible Sutdy - Questions Jesus Asked - Being Served or Serving? - Luke 22:19-30 - March 24, 2013

Bible Study – Questions Jesus Asked – Being Served or Serving?  - March 24, 2013

This is lesson four in our series entitled, “Questions Jesus Asked.”

Our scripture is Luke 22:19-30

JESUS instituted the Lord’s Supper.  When it is observed it is a Christian’s moment to meet and fellowship with CHRIST. To me it is a very intimate time together. The elements of the Lord’s Supper symbolize what it cost CHRIST to break the barrier of sin between GOD and mankind. Once the sin barrier was broken and the sin debt was paid in full, the path was open for all who will accept JESUS by faith to receive salvation.

Salvation from what? Sin carries the consequence of death. The Bible is clear Romans 3:23 – For all have sinnedy Rm 3:9 and fall short of thez Or and lack the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Faith in CHRIST saves a person from eternal spiritual death. Those who accept CHRIST as their Savior receive the gift of eternal life through the miracle of rebirth in their spirit. It is the reborn Spirit that exits the body at the moment of physical death to continue life with CHRIST and GOD in heaven for eternity. When CHRIST returns to earth all Christians will receive their Glorified bodies which will be like JESUS resurrected body.

When we consider the Lord’s Supper, some denominations believe that the bread becomes the body of CHRIST and the wine becomes HIS blood. They believe observing the Lord’s Supper has saving power. Some denominations refer to the Lord’s Supper as the “eucharist,” which is the Greek word for “thanks.”

Many protestant denominations consider the Lord’s Supper as a symbol in that the bread represents HIS body and the wine represents HIS shed blood, which HE willing gave to pay in full the debt for sin.  

I do not believe that celebrating the Lord’s Supper has any saving power by simply taking the sacraments. In many churches, those in the congregation are challenged to examine themselves to determine if they are worthy of taking the sacraments. When a person reflects on his/her life during this time of honest examination, the Holy Spirit can reveal to the person who has never received CHRIST the need for salvation. If this takes place, then those who realize their lost condition confess their sins and ask CHRIST to forgive them for their sins and ask HIM to come into their lives, HE will. Salvation comes only by acknowledging that we are sinners and by accepting CHRIST by faith as our Savior.

JESUS instituted this ordnance on the night Passover was observed. GOD’S timing is impeccable. JESUS was celebrating the Passover meal with HIS disciples. They were celebrating the liberation of the Jews from the bondage of slavery from the Egyptians. Just the next day, JESUS, the promised Messiah, would liberate, through HIS death, all who will believe in HIM from the bondage of sin, death and receive the gift of eternal life. HIS death is not the focal point. It is HIS resurrection that reveals that HE paid the sin debt and conquered death.

Just as the Israelites were released from the bondage of slavery and traveled to the Promised Land, so does salvation deliver those who accept CHRIST as their Savior from the bondage of sin. Those who receive CHRIST as their Savior are on their journey to the Promise Land. Just as the Israelites faced many situations, which revealed GOD as they journeyed to the Promised Land. As Christians travel through life, they will also experience the presence and care of GOD as they journey through life. Christians must keep in mind that CHRIST never leaves them or forsakes them. That is why celebrating the Lord’s Supper at certain times is important. It is a time for Christians to pause, reflect and be renewed as they remember what CHRIST did for them. It is an intimate time for just you and CHRIST coming together and having a special intimate moment together where you can be honest with each other. GOD’S desire is for HIS children to worship HIM in spirit and truth, so be honest with GOD. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Luke 22:19-23:

19 And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 In the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant established by My blood; it is shed for you. 21 But look, the hand of the one betraying Me is at the table with Me! 22 For the •Son of Man will go away as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23 So they began to argue among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do this thing.

JESUS established the Lord’s Supper to represent the new covenant between GOD and mankind. JESUS established this new covenant when HE fulfilled the law and willingly gave HIS life to pay, in full, the debt for sin for all who have faith in HIM.

Betrayal was part of the culture in JESUS’ day. We need to keep in mind that JESUS’ disciples knew that JESUS represented GOD and that GOD’S power was manifested through HIM. They were looking for a political Messiah who would deliver them from Roman rule. I believe Judas betrayed CHRIST to force HIS hand in declaring Himself King of the Jews and overthrowing the Romans. The disciples went from arguing who would betray JESUS to who would be the greatest in this new kingdom.

JESUS told them that HE would go away. The implication was that HIS going away was part of the plan to overthrow the Romans. We do not know what these words triggered in the minds of the disciples but it triggered an argument about who would be the greatest. The disciples knew something was up involving JESUS and the coming of GOD’S Kingdom. 

Let’s read Luke 22:24-27:

The Dispute over Greatness

24 Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest. 25 But He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles dominate them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving. 27 For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the One who serves.

This triggered a dispute among the disciples about who would be the greatest in this new kingdom. Disciples James and John had already asked JESUS earlier to let one be on HIS left and the other on HIS right in HIS new kingdom. Their mother also asked JESUS the same thing for her sons. The disciples knew something was up and they wanted to a vital part of this great new kingdom.

JESUS had to get them to focus on the truth. They were thinking of a kingdom ruled by a king. HE attempted to make it clear to them that GOD’S Kingdom was nothing like earthly kingdoms. Earthly kingdoms were built and functioned upon who were the greatest and most powerful. Earthly kings and powerful people called themselves “Benefactors.”  The Greek word for “Benefactors” is “euergetes” which means “the one who does good.” It refers to a civic-minded person who deserved the praise of the people. However, it was common knowledge that these Benefactors were Benefactors in name only with self imposed titles. Many were tyrants that thrived on being great and having power.

However, being the greatest in GOD’S Kingdom was defined by being a servant or being the least. JESUS attempted to get HIS disciples to focus on HIS true mission. HIS mission was not to conquer the enemy through physical force but to conquer through obedient service. JESUS wanted HIS disciples to understand that the one who serves is greater than the one who is being served. JESUS told them that HE came to serve. In fact earlier that night HE had washed the disciples’ feet.

Let’s read Luke 22:28-30:

28 You are the ones who stood by Me in My trials. 29 I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one on Me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom. And you will sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel.

JESUS acknowledged that HIS disciples had stuck with HIM as HE went through various trials during HIS earthly ministry. When a person manifests the power of GOD through his/her life, those who follow their ministry do not expect anything to go wrong in his/her life. We know that CHRIST was tempted in all ways as we are tempted, yet HE remained sinless. Being tempted meant that HE had to be brought to the point of making a decision to sin or not to sin. Yet, HE suffered these things to remain sinless so HE would be the perfect, acceptable sacrifice to pay the sin debt so that all who have faith in HIM are set free from the bondage of sin.

The next verses, 28 and 29, recorded by Doctor Luke raise some questions. We understand the kingdom GOD bestowed upon JESUS but what about the kingdom JESUS would bestow upon HIS disciples? JESUS, through HIS passion and resurrection, established HIS Kingdom of Faith and Grace. Faith in HIM results in salvation from sin and its consequence of Spiritual death. Faith in CHRIST results in all sins being forgiven – past, present and future -, Spiritual birth into GOD’S family, eternal life, citizenship in heaven, GOD’S love and eternal grace. The disciple’s kingdom was to build upon the foundation CHRIST had laid. Kingdom can be thought of as domain or royal rule. Most believe that JESUS referred to HIS disciples having royal rule at the end time and not that they would have a kingdom.

JESUS knew they would not understand what HE was saying until after HE gave HIS life on the cross, was buried, was resurrected, ascended back into heaven and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to earth to indwell them, as well as, every Christian. The Holy Spirit would reveal truth and give understanding to all the events that had taken place during JESUS’ earthly ministry.

JESUS left HIS home in heaven and HE left HIS Glory in heaven. HE chose to come to earth stripped of HIS heavenly powers to live as a human and to be tempted in all ways as humans are tempted. HE knew that HE had to remain sinless in order to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. HE accomplished HIS mission by trusting in HIS Father/GOD, and the rest is history.

The world’s mantra is power and to be served. JESUS’ mantra is to obediently serve as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

JESUS is the perfect example of how Christians are to function. They are to rely upon the leadership of the indwelling Holy Spirit, just as JESUS totally relied upon the leadership and guidance of HIS Father. GOD has a plan and a purpose for every Christian. HIS desire is for Christians to be great by being obedient servants.

JESUS told HIS disciples that each would have a place in HIS Kingdom. They will be intimately involved in HIS Kingdom by not only eating and drinking at HIS table but judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The major question is, “Have you accepted CHRIST as your Savior?” If not, ask HIM to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life now.

If you asked CHRIST to forgive you and to come into your life, then thank HIM for forgiving you for your sins and coming into your life. Ask HIM to reveal truth to you as you read the Bible, pray and seek to grow as a Christian. If you are not already involved in a church that preaches and teaches GOD’S Word, then ask HIM to lead you to the church where you need to go to be fed the right Spiritual food and to obediently serve as HE leads you. Blessings!!!