In Luke 22 the disciples were talking among themselves trying to figure out which one of them was the greatest. Jesus responds to this in Luke 22:25-27,
“Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.”
The disciples are cultivating these thoughts about being great and Jesus does not rebuke them. Jesus doesn’t rebuke them because they are on to something. Jesus goes on to define greatness from the kingdom perspective. Jesus says that the great men and kings of the world lord it over the people. They use their position of power and influence to better their own position at the expense of others. In the kingdom our position and influence is for the betterment of the people around us.
You could look at this passage and think that we are not meant to be great or have influence or do anything worthwhile. But that would be the wrong take away. Jesus says, “Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course.” Then he says, “But”. This is a big “but”. Jesus says, “But not here!” Not where? The kingdom. “ For I am among you as one who serves.” Greatness functions differently in the kingdom of heaven. Greatness in the kingdom provides access for everyone to enter into this greatness. It’s not like the worldly perspective that seeks to keep it exclusive at other people’s expense. So when we think about what it means to serve, we have to relate that word to the life of Jesus. To serve means to do the will of the Father. To use your gifts to demonstrate and display the kindness, goodness, genuineness and extravagance of God.
Just as Jesus was great, so you and go be great! After all it was Jesus who said in John 13:15-17,
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.