April 06, 2014
Morning Service

Luke 22:24-34

 

Last Sunday Jesus taught us concerning our communion service.  He tells us the Bread we break is His body, and the fruit of the vine we drink is His blood.  This is recorded in Matt. Mark, and Luke.  In John’s gospel, he chose to tell us about Jesus’s body, and blood, in chapter six.  He uses this last Passover meal to teach the disciples a lesson concerning humility, by washing their feet.

Jesus also told us that one of the disciples that was breaking bread with Him would betray  Him. 

 

Let’s begin this morning in chapter 22:24.

 

Luk 22:24-34  And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 

·         You see, they still don’t understand that Jesus is going to Calvary, not to set up an earthly kingdom. 

·         First of all this helps us to understand that even the closest disciples have faults.  This is not a good thing that they are concerned about.  It is covetousness, prideful, selfish, egotistical, contrary to the Spirit of Christ.

·         The Apostle Paul set this straight when he said, “we are men of like passions as you are.”  Acts chapter 28, on the island of Melita.

 

Verse 25;  Jesus answers them.

(25)  And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.  (26)  But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.  (27)  For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. 

·         It’s very clear how Jesus wants us to conduct ourselves.  We must cultivate the attitude of a servant to all mankind.  Jesus here takes occasion to explain the nature of his kingdom. He assures them that it is established on different principles from those of the world; that his subjects were not to expect titles, and power, and offices of pomp in his kingdom. He that would be most advanced in “his” kingdom would be he that was most humble;

Then He adds;

(28)  Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.  (29)  And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;  (30)  That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

·         This seems like a pretty good reward to me.  It helps me to understand that even while in a seat of authority, one should still feel himself unworthy, and have a servants heart, of humility.

·         Matthew records it like this;  Mat 19:28-30  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  (29)  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.  (30)  But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

·         The wording is sometimes different in another gospel, but the meaning is the same.

·         We need but look at the book of Job to know that this will happen.

·         Do we notice what it takes?     To be willing to give up all to follow the Lord.

 

 

 

(31)  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  (32)  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 

·         I love this Scripture.  Think about it, and place your name where Simon’s name is.  Jerry, Jerry, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.  He desires to have all of us, but Jesus has prayed for us.  Listen to His prayer in St. John 17.  In this chapter Jesus first prays for Himself, then His immediate disciples, and then He prays for us.

·         Joh 17:20-23  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;  (21)  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.  (22)  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:  (23)  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

·         And then Jesus makes this statement, “when thou are converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

CONVERTED, pp. Turned or changed from one substance or state to another; turned from one religion or sect to another; changed from a state of sin to a state of holiness; applied to a particular use; appropriated.

So the meaning to Peter is, when thou art turned from this sin, when thou art recovered from this heinous offence, then use “your” experience to warn and strengthen those who are in danger of like sins.

·         Listen to this;  Jas 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

And, Jas 5:19-20  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;  (20)  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

·         And doesn’t this go along with the great commission?  The attitude of going into all the world, and making disciples.  The Spirit of caring, and servitude.

 

So what is Peter’s reply?

 

(33)  And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.  (34)  And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

·         This would have to let the wind out of your sails.  Because Jesus said it, Peter knew it would happen.

·         Peter will convert from this sin of denial, and he will become someone who strengthens his brethren, and us also.  He will also go to his death because of his faith in Christ.

 

In these ten verses we see the men that Jesus called to be His Apostles commit the sins of covetousness, betrayal, and denial.  These men were not perfect, as we are not perfect. 

Our faith teaches us that we are complete, when we are in Jesus.  We have the promise that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Father, thank you for Your love, and the perfect plan for our salvation, that Jesus purchased on Calvary.