A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. - Luke 22:24
 |
| Photo by Pexels.com |
The Dispute about Greatness
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 But he said to them, "The kings of the gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you; rather, the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like 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 at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
28 "You are those who have stood by me in my trials, 29 and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
31 "Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail, and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." 33 And he said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!" 34 Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day until you have denied three times that you know me."
Purse, Bag, and Sword
35 He said to them, "When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "No, not a thing." 36 He said to them, "But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, 'And he was counted among the lawless,' and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled." 38 They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." He replied, "It is enough."
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial." 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done." 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.] 45 When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46 and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial."
Reflecting on the short passage, captured meticulously by St. Luke (the physician). It never fails to bring a tear to my eyes that as our Lord was preparing for that great battle for the salvation of human souls, He was solely focused on accomplishing His life mission from the Father, to die for our sins. Yet the very disciples who had journeyed with Him as His closest companions, were still arguing about who would be the greatest, and even Peter, who boasted that he alone would not leave nor forsake his Lord and Master. Only to be proven so wrong hours later when Jesus was arrested and tried by a kangaroo court, that he would fulfill the prophetic words of his Master about his denial of Jesus 3 times (before the cock crows).
Yet there was a hope-filled statement in Jesus' prophecy, because our LORD already foreknew that He would one day reinstate Peter as the leader of the church on Earth, after His death, resurrection and ascension to the Father in heaven.
Reflecting on my own faith journey, I recount the number of times that I had boasted about following Christ wholeheartedly. Yet in the midst of my own battles with clinical depression, I got angry with God for giving me this accursed illness. Only to realize with much regrets and gentle chidings from the Holy Spirit, that God the Father was using the illness to shape my broken character and fallen nature in order that my life may reflect His Son's character in increasing measures.
Peter could write with much wisdom in his later years about God's mercy to us sinful humans. (2 Pet 3:9): "The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance."
I will close my sharing with this beautiful worship song: "A Thousand Hallelujahs". This is an anthem that we'll be singing with the choirs of angels and saints in heaven, and our lips will be praising God forever and ever in His Glorious Presence.
Amen.
A Thousand Hallelujahs
Verse 1
Who else would rocks cry out to worship?
Whose glory taught the stars to shine?
Perhaps creation longs to have the words to sing
But this joy is mine.
Chorus
With a thousand hallelujahs
We magnify Your name
You alone deserve the glory
The honor and the praise
Lord Jesus
This song is forever Yours
A thousand hallelujahs
And a thousand more.
Verse 2
Who else would die for our redemption?
Whose resurrection means I'll rise?
There isn't time enough to sing of all You've done
But I have eternity to try
(Repeat Chorus)
Singer: Brooke Lingertwood
Reflection on Luke 22:24-46 by Chris Tan
No comments:
Post a Comment