Luke 22:14-38
March Memory Verse: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 NIV
Read: Luke 22:14-38
Greatness. Something deep down inside all of us wants to be great. We want to be successful. We want to impact others. We want to be influencers. We want to change the world… hopefully for God.
The disciples wanted the same thing. They wanted to be great… but they took it to far. Instead of desiring to be great for God’s glory they wanted to be great for their glory. Instead of building God’s Kingdom they wanted to build their kingdom. You can see this in the way they phrase their question - “Who will be the greatest?” They were no longer concerned with being great but being the greatest.
Pride had slipped in. They had forgotten who they were - sinners in need of grace. They had forgotten who really was the greatest - the God-man standing right in front of them. They forgot what “greatness” really was - servanthood.
Jesus showed them… GREATNESS IS DERIVED FROM SERVANTHOOD.
This was a world shifting truth but one that Jesus modeled well - He came to serve not to be served. We should do the same.
What is most interesting is that this comes on the heels of Jesus instituting the Lord’s Supper - which was supposed to remind them who was the greatest - HIM!
And right afterward Jesus shows us why humanity can never be the greatest - we are wishy washy… We are inconsistent. Peter, one of the most outspoken and bold disciples would soon be a coward.
This is why we trust in Jesus - the greatest - this is why we look to Him, worship Him, and run to Him. He is consistent. He is faithful. He is simultaneously King and servant. He is the greatest.
What kinds of doors has serving opened up to share with others in your life? How do you relate to the disciples? How is God asking you to be a servant this week?
By: Nick Parsons
Read: Luke 22:14-38
Greatness. Something deep down inside all of us wants to be great. We want to be successful. We want to impact others. We want to be influencers. We want to change the world… hopefully for God.
The disciples wanted the same thing. They wanted to be great… but they took it to far. Instead of desiring to be great for God’s glory they wanted to be great for their glory. Instead of building God’s Kingdom they wanted to build their kingdom. You can see this in the way they phrase their question - “Who will be the greatest?” They were no longer concerned with being great but being the greatest.
Pride had slipped in. They had forgotten who they were - sinners in need of grace. They had forgotten who really was the greatest - the God-man standing right in front of them. They forgot what “greatness” really was - servanthood.
Jesus showed them… GREATNESS IS DERIVED FROM SERVANTHOOD.
This was a world shifting truth but one that Jesus modeled well - He came to serve not to be served. We should do the same.
What is most interesting is that this comes on the heels of Jesus instituting the Lord’s Supper - which was supposed to remind them who was the greatest - HIM!
And right afterward Jesus shows us why humanity can never be the greatest - we are wishy washy… We are inconsistent. Peter, one of the most outspoken and bold disciples would soon be a coward.
This is why we trust in Jesus - the greatest - this is why we look to Him, worship Him, and run to Him. He is consistent. He is faithful. He is simultaneously King and servant. He is the greatest.
What kinds of doors has serving opened up to share with others in your life? How do you relate to the disciples? How is God asking you to be a servant this week?
By: Nick Parsons
6 Comments
Thanks for doing the devotion, Nick. I love the focus this week on slowing down and moving through the last days of Jesus' life!
I don't think I've ever read the last few verses on my own before, and I find it noteworthy that Christ prayed for Peter specifically (and how pointed the result of prayer was/is).
Jake! Yes! So crazy that that was Jesus' response. So encouraging to me.
Besides being a blessing to others, the best part of serving is that it takes my mind off myself. We can never have too much of that.
Besides the sword remark, which has always been a little confusing to me, I was struck by Jesus saying that Satan asked to sift His disciples. I wonder how often Satan asks to sift us as believers. So vital to remain strong in faith.
Yes! But what is so encouraging is that just as Jesus prayed for Peter, the Holy Spirit is interceeding for us!
I relate to the disciples in wanting to advance myself when advancing the Kingdom too. I see in the disciples this mirage of devotion that looks nice but at the core level is self-serving. That is me, so many times. So often, I will do a good thing for the wrong reasons and act as if motives are pure.
A life-long battle Jordan.
Selfless Ambition > Selfish Ambition
And we have to learn how to distinguish between the two.