Who is the Greatest

In Lk 22:24-38 the Lord deals with two things.  First, he has to teach the disciples again about desiring to be the greatest.  Second, he warns Peter that he is getting ready to deny the Lord.

It’s amazing that the disciples would be striving over which should be the greatest at this time.  Judas has just walked out to betray Jesus and Jesus is getting ready to die at this passover.  They knew this.  What were they thinking?  Who’s going to be in charge during the “little while”, Jn 16:16-19?  It appears that this strife might be between John, James, and Peter, the “pillars”, the three at the Transfiguration, and the three who saw Jesus bring the dead girl to life at Jairus’s house.

Lk 22:24 they were striving over who should be accounted the greatest.  This is the third time they’ve had this discussion.  Jesus had to tell them that they weren’t going to use their position to exercise lordship or authority over others like kings.  And they weren’t going to be called benefactors (one who confers a benefit, provides help or advantage). Kings were called benefactors as a façade to mask their desire for power and to build their reputations as doers of good. Like politicians today. The greatest was to be as the younger, and the chief as he that doth serve.

Jesus had to deal with this problem in Matt 20:20-29.  They were in Jericho before Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem.  Zebedee’s wife came with James and John. She requested the seats on Jesus’s right and left hand in his kingdom.

He also had to deal with this in Mk 9:33-37, right after the Mount of Transfiguration (which took place in Matt 17).

Lk 22:27 I am among you as he that serveth.  See Phil 2:1-7, Jn 13:4-17.  He always did the Father’s will.  He served God and that’s what they were supposed to do.

Lk 22:28 They continued with me in my temptations.  Continued, Jn 6:66-70.  In Matt 20:22-23 they said, “we are able”.  They were going to suffer with him, Rom 8:17; 2 Tim 2:12.

Lk 22:29-30 appoint you a kingdom to sit on thrones, Matt 19:28.  You will eat and drink at my table.  Notice Matt 26:29 “with you”.  Notice the timing “when he comes”.  See Acts 1:6.  They wanted him to restore the kingdom to Israel right then.  Yet, Jesus was getting ready to ascend into heaven.

Peter became the apostle to the Jews (circumcision), Gal 2:7-9.  With John and James, they were perceived to be the three pillars.  So then Lord had something coming for Peter to prepare him for this responsibility.

Lk 22:31 Satan hath desired to have you to sift you as wheat.  Sifting wheat in pre-milling removes dirt, rocks, and debris.  Post-milling separates fine flour from coarse bran.  Satan would sift him to destroy him by the “debris” that’s in him.  The Lord would allow this sifting, like he did with Job, to improve Peter by getting that debris out of him.  They were working on the same thing for different ends.

Lk 22:32 I have prayed for thee (Jn 17:9, Rom 8:34) that thy faith fail not. 1 Pet 5:8-9 whom resist stedfast in the faith.  1 Jn 4:4, 5:4 faith is the victory.

Lk 22:32 when (not if) thou art converted strengthen thy brethren. The Lord knew Peter was going to get through this.

Lk 22:33 Peter said that he was ready to go to prison and death.  He thought he was ready.  In fact, he was willing, but he wasn’t “ready”.  Eventually he did both; he went to prison and he was put to death. Acts 5:18, Acts 12:2-3; 2 Pet 1:14, Jn 21:18-19.

Lk 22:34 you will deny me thrice.  Lk 22:35-38 get a sword.  They had two. Jesus said, “It is enough”.  They only needed one for Peter.  The disciples never used the sword to defend themselves or attack except when Peter cut off Malchus’s ear, Jn 18:10-11.  The Lord set Peter up.  Peter didn’t deny Jesus out of fear but out of anger because he wouldn’t fight for himself.  Jesus knew this about Peter, but Peter didn’t know this about himself.

Lk 22:37 this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, Is 53:12.  The things concerning me have an end.  Jesus had to die to fulfill prophecy, provide himself a ransom for the sins of the world, to resurrect from the dead, and to defeat the devil and death.

Satan was used by God to bring about the crucifixion (Judas) and to purge Peter.  God “set the stage” for both of these things to happen to his men.  This explains, to some degree, why the devil is still here and not yet taken out of the way.

To study the previous lesson, click on The Last Supper. To study the next lesson, click on Gethsemane and Peter’s Denial.