March 10, 2010
READ: Luke 22:24-27
Consider this scenario. You’ve invited the 10 most important people from church to dine with Jesus, people whom you would consider VIPs—your pastor, elders, deacons, or lay leaders, for example. As host, you’re in charge of the seating arrangement. Assuming you have a round table that seats 12 people, where will Jesus sit? And since Jesus’ left- and right-hand sides are places of highest honor, whom would you assign to sit next to Him?
As the disciples entered the upper room to eat the Passover meal, they were all intent on sitting in the places of honor. This was not the first time they had fought over who was numero uno (Matthew 20:20-24; Mark 9:33-35,10:35-37; Luke 9:46). And the jostling surfaced yet again in the midst of the Passover meal (Luke 22:20,24), barely hours before Jesus was crucified.
It was not uncommon for Jesus’ disciples to vie with one another over who would sit at His right and left. But as Christ’s followers, we’re to be different. Those who are truly great Christian examples take the lowest rank and become like a servant (v.26). Jesus Himself “got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him” (John 13:4-5). Paul later commented, “Though He was God . . . He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave” (Philippians 2:6-7). Jesus showed us what it takes to be truly great.
When people look at you, do they see a leader in high position exerting authority? Or do they see a servant serving in humility? —K.T. Sim
NEXT
Revisit the dinner scenario in today’s article. Where would you be sitting? Would you be sitting on Jesus’ right—in the place of honor? Why or why not?
