Luke the beloved physician wrote, “the hand of him that betrays me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goes, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed. And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse twenty-six of his book Luke shared how Jesus said, “he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger” where we read:
But you shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger;
and he that is chief, as he that does serve.
The verse reads, “But you shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger;” Luke began with the words, “but you shall not be so” or “however, nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover you, disciples of Jesus, are not to be like the pagan rulers”: “but he that is greatest among you” which means “yes, rather and moreover the person whether male or female who is the elder, stronger and of more importance among Jesus' disciples”, “let him be as the younger” or “allow and permit that person to exist as the more recently born, youthful and new”. Luke shared how Jesus said His disciples were not to be like the “pagan Gentile rulers” because they were to exist as though they were the “younger born” child.
The verse goes on to say, “and he that is chief, as he that does serve.” Luke continued with the words, “and he that is chief” or “and the person whether male or female who is the principal, leader, commander and one of regal power and control”, “as he that does serve” which means “to be like the person who ministers, is an attendant and waits upon others”. Luke shared how Jesus said the disciple among them who wanted to be in first position should be like the “attendant” or “servant” to others.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we notice a great difference between the ways of Jesus' Kingdom and the way of the world. The “world” desires to have “rule and power” over others, and Jesus said His disciples were to “serve” others. The “world” longs for “position, power and authority” over other people, but Jesus said the “greatest” and most “powerful” among His disciples would be the person who is as a “servant”. Jesus came into the world to “serve” (See Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45), and He set an example for His disciples as to how they were to be toward one another. Jesus came to “save” people from their sins, and He died on the cross as a “servant” of all mankind. Those who yield their lives to Him will be forgiven of their sins and receive everlasting life with God. There is no greater “servant” than Jesus, and those who are wise will be like Him.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus asks, “whether is greater, he that sits at meat, or he that serves?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment