January 22, 2023
Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr.
***C H O F Ministry Bible Study Reading:
Luke 22 : 24–32
*C H O F Ministry Focal Verse:
Luke 22:27 - For who is greater, the one who is at the
table or the one who serves?
When we think of the ministry that Jesus carried out while He was on earth, the most prominent events that come to mind are His confrontations with the Pharisees and the miracles He performed. However, most of His resources were put into a small group of followers, primarily the twelve disciples. The disciples received their instructions when they were with Jesus. Throughout their internship, the disciples received daily, in-depth education on the vital role of the apostleship. They had a one-on-one conversation with Jesus in which they learned who they ought to be, what to do, what to believe, and what to teach as representatives of Him.
In this respect, the four Gospels are primarily records of the life-on-life training program that Jesus provided for His disciples. The passage we’re discussing today is but one example among many. A disgraceful argument about which of them was the most capable was the cause of this situation. Jesus instructed them that in His kingdom, "greatness" is notdefined by authority, "influence," or position "status" but rather by one's willingness to serve others. Jesus explained to them that in His kingdom, serving others is what defines greatness rather than having wealth or status (v. 27). The self-serving manner in which authority is exercised on earth stands in stark contrast to the manner in which authority is exercised in God's kingdom. In other words, unlike in God's kingdom, where authority serves the common good rather than individual ambition, earthly authority is exploited for selfish purposes (vv. 25–26). The disciples were told that one day they would be seated on thrones and "judge the twelve tribes of Israel" (v. 30), but God is the sovereign King over all (v. 29).
God chose these men to play important leadership roles in the early church. Jesus had selected each one of them individually to be His unique disciples. He was concerned for their spiritual and mental development as well as their physical health. (vv. 31–32). In His teaching, whether expository as in this case, or through parables, miracles, or object lessons (such as washing their feet), Jesus frequently defied the expectations of both the multitudes and His closest followers. It’s unclear how much the Twelve comprehended at that moment. Still, later, the Spirit brought Jesus' statements back to their minds and clarified their significance.
* Beloved, how can you use today’s Bible study lesson in your life right now? Could you imagine yourself in the shoes of someone who typically looks out for your interests and serve them? Jesus is worthy of all the praise and glory since He’s the one who established the great example for us to follow.
Let Us Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, to this day, You continue to disprove our erroneous beliefs about You. We’re grateful that You have revealed Your genuine self to us. Utilize our growing familiarity with You to dispel the misconceptions of those misinformed about who You are. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.