Who is Greater? - Luke 22:27

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. 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”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse twenty-seven of his book Luke shared how Jesus asked, “whether is greater, he that sits at meat, or he that serves?” where we read:

For whether is greater, he that sits at meat, or he that serves?

is not he that sits at meat? but I am among you as he that serves.

The verse reads, “For whether is greater, he that sits at meat, or he that serves?” Luke began with the words, “for whether is greater” or “because, since and on account which one is of more value, more important and the elder”, “he that sits at meat” which means “the person whether male or female who is seated and reclines to eat a meal”, “or he that serves” or “or the person whether male or female who ministers, is as an attendant, domestic and waits upon tables”? Luke shared how Jesus asked His disciples to determine which of the two were the “greater”, “the person eating a meal or the person who serves the meal”?

The verse continues, “is not he that sits at meat? but I am among you as he that serves.” Luke added the words, “is not he that sits at meat” or “does not the person whether male or female who is seated and reclining to eat a meal of more value and importance”? “but I am among you” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover I, Jesus, exist in the presence of you, disciples” “as he that serves” or “in the manner and likeness of the person who ministers, is as an attendant, domestic and waits upon tables”. Luke shared how Jesus referred to the idea of the person who is “seated” at a meal being more important than the “server”, and yet, He was among them as the “servant”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we notice how Jesus employed Himself as the example in His statement to His disciples. Jesus was the “greatest” among them, and yet He was “serving” them. Jesus is greater than anyone, and still He came to “serve” mankind by dying for their sins upon the cross. Jesus was not opposed to being like a “slave” to people because He desired that they live in Heaven with Him and His Father God. His idea was for His disciples to follow in His ways. Those who carefully consider Jesus “serving” people should yield their lives to Him and learn to “serve” others even as He.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “you are they which have continued with me in my temptations”, 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".