Class Lesson March 24, 2013

Hey Gang,


We continue this week in our new series on “Answering Key Questions.”


Jesus often made statements, told parables, and also used questions to teach spiritual truths and to challenge religious assumptions.This is why some of Jesus' questions angered religious leaders who refused to accept truth over tradition. The next five-week study will explore questions Jesus asked and why getting the answers right is essential to growing in discipleship.

Below is an outline of the lessons in this series:

1. March 3 God’s Word or Tradition? - Matthew 15:1-11, 17-20
2. March 10 Commitment or Lip Service? - Luke 9:20-26, 57-62
3. March 17 Compassionate Action or Indifference? - Luke 10:25-37
4. March 24 Serve or Expect to Be Served? - Luke 22:19-30
5. March 31 Recognize Christ or Worship Another? - John 20:1-18 

What moves you the most about this video?

Who are “the greatest” people you know? How great do others consider you? Is your “greatness” based on the ways of the world or on the amount of service you do for others? How could you become even greater by serving more? 

Life Goal

Live by Jesus’ definition of greatness.

What is Greatness?

Background Passages: Luke 22:1-30

Focal Passages: Luke 22:19-30


What This Lesson Is About:
We live in a culture that defines greatness in terms of possessions and position. It is assumed that a person being served has arrived at some level of importance or greatness. Jesus defined greatness differently – in terms of serving others. A follower of Jesus needs to live by His values; he or she should exemplify a servant’s heart.

True greatness requires humility and a servant’s spirit. Remembering what Jesus did for us should promote these qualities. This lesson focuses on the question, “For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving?” (Luke 22:27).


How This Lesson Can Impact Your Life: This lesson can help you achieve true greatness by living a life of humble service.


Spiritual Preparation through Personal Bible Study

Our society has an upside down picture of greatness. People often judge true greatness by how much money or power a person possesses. As models of greatness, we often choose athletes who have both power and money, but whose lives often are either selfish or immoral. Others point to actors or actresses who have reached the pinnacle of their profession yet are many times consumed with their own little world. Some Christians emphasize humility and teach others that greatness is the opposite of humility. True greatness is not the opposite of humility; pride is the opposite of humility. True greatness is found in serving others and living a life that will last beyond this life.


Luke 22 unfolds Judas’s plot to kill Jesus (vv. 1-6). While Judas plotted to betray Jesus, Jesus prepared His disciples for His death by observing a special Passover meal to celebrate with His disciples (vv. 7-13). When the hour came for the Passover meal to occur, Jesus gathered with the disciples in an upper room and assumed the role of host in the Passover ceremony with His disciples. He explained that He would not drink the wine of this ceremony again until the kingdom of God comes (vv. 14-18). In order for us to redefine greatness, we should begin with the example Jesus gave during the last supper to determine if it is found in serving or being served.

I. TRUE GREATNESS SERVES – LUKE 22:19-23 

19 And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 In the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant established by My blood; it is shed for you. 21 But look, the hand of the one betraying Me is at the table with Me! 22 For the Son of Man will go away as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23 So they began to argue among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do this thing.



Why do some people think that the only way to please God is to be a doormat – one who rarely stands up for what he believes is right?

• “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 
• 22 For the Son of Man will go away as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 
• Actively serve people at home, at church, at work. See service as a privilege, not a demotion. Be creative in the ways they choose to serve. Genuinely meet needs while they serve. Stand for convictions but do so with humility. 

Is this what it means to serve?

How was Jesus’ death more than an example to follow? In what ways can you live your life “in remembrance of” Jesus?


What new meaning did Jesus assign to the bread and the wine of the Passover meal? How did this change the Passover thereafter?

• Passover began as an annual celebration to commemorate God’s delivering the Israelites from Egypt during the time of Moses. When the angel of death (tenth plague) killed the firstborn son in every household, he passed over the homes of the Israelites that were marked with the blood of a lamb. God gave instructions for the first Passover meal to be eaten on the night of their deliverance. People ate unleavened bread because they had to leave Egypt quickly; there was no time to wait for yeast to make the dough rise.
• Jesus became the one who delivers. We celebrate and serve in His honor.

The Passover was a regular observance in Jewish life. Why would Jesus establish a regularly recurring event as a means for them to remember His death and resurrection?

• Explore in what sense we might forget. For example, it’s more than losing track of the historical details surrounding Jesus’ death. We can become preoccupied with life’s details and forget that we owe Him our total lives. We can forget how to serve and give our lives.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20 reminds us, “You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.” We belong to Jesus based on the sacrifice He made to purchase our freedom. So every day of our lives should be about seeking to honor Him with our activities and decisions. Whether we’re working, worshiping, interacting with friends and family, relaxing, shopping, driving, eating, or exercising—everything we do should aim at pleasing Him.

We want to be served well. We complain when those assigned to serve us don’t give us the kind of service we expect. But how well do we serve others? Life is not about being powerful enough to command excellent service; it’s about being humble enough to give loving service (Luke 22:1-30).


Lasting lessons:

1. Christians are to observe the Lord’s Supper as the Lord Jesus commanded.
2. The Supper is a church ordinance, not a saving sacrament.
3. The Lord’s Supper reminds believers of Jesus’ suffering and death for their sins.
4. Sometimes believers are shocked by the actions they are capable of committing as believers. Sometimes believers deny they could be capable of such actions.

Jesus embodied true greatness. He exhibited humility and a servant’s spirit throughout His earthly lifetime, continuing those qualities during the final week as He prepared to go to the cross. As Jesus gathered with His disciples to celebrate the Passover, He reinterpreted the great Jewish feast in light of His impending death. Originally, Passover represented the remembrance of how God had led His people out of slavery in Egypt and spared them when they applied blood to the doorposts of their home to prevent each family’s eldest son from dying in the final plague (Ex. 12:1-20). After the event, the Lord commanded the Israelites to celebrate the Passover feast to ensure that future generations would remember the event (Ex. 12:12-28; Lev. 23:5-8).

One of the focal points of the Passover celebration was the breaking of bread. The Israelites had eaten unleavened bread because of their rapid departure from Egypt. They could not wait for the bread to rise because of the haste in leaving Egypt. Throughout the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which was the entire week following the Passover celebration, the people were to eat only unleavened bread in remembrance of how God delivered them from slavery. Those who did not were subject to either banishment or the death penalty.


Jesus reinterpreted the bread as He gave thanks and broke it. During the Passover ceremony, He declared of the bread, “This is My body.” Throughout Christian history the interpretation of these words has created much controversy. The Roman Catholic Church interpreted these words literally, meaning that the bread literally became the body of Jesus through a mystical transformation during the ceremony. The Protestant church interpreted the words as metaphorical, meaning that it was symbolic of Jesus’ body. This type of saying was not without precedent in Jesus’ teaching ministry. He had said, “I am the door” (John 10:9), and He used it metaphorically instead of literally. Jesus emphasized that His body was “given for you,” a reference that anticipates Calvary, when Jesus would give His life on a cross as a vicarious sacrifice. Jesus’ death was more than an example, but it certainly demonstrated a servant’s heart to all who would follow Him.


The Passover celebration included four cups of wine. Two of the cups came after the meal. Jesus used one of the cups to continue explaining His death. He called the cup “the new covenant established by My blood.” If Passover reminded the people of the covenant God had made with Moses and the Israelites in Egypt, then Jesus’ death established the new covenant predicted by Jeremiah (Jer. 31:31-34). People would no longer have to recall Egypt and Sinai for examples of redemption. They would no longer have a Day of Atonement and His followers would no longer celebrate Passover in the same way. All eyes would be on His death on the cross, and His blood became the blood of the ultimate Passover Lamb.


Jesus proclaimed His blood was “shed for you.” Again, this emphasized Jesus’ substitutionary death on behalf of sinners. He died their death and spilled His blood to cover their sin. Jesus’ death not only made salvation possible for the sinner, but it set an example to those who had trusted Him. His self-giving approach to life was the attitude He expected in His followers (Matt. 16:25). Jesus modeled greatness by humbling Himself and serving others. Without His sacrifice, they would have had no hope for eternal life, yet Jesus made it possible through His death on the cross. Whoever believed and trusted in Him would have eternal life (John 3:16). Certainly His death was more than a positive example, it was necessary to provide atonement for sin. However, in doing so Jesus provided the ultimate example of selflessness and humility.

Unfortunately, not all of Jesus’ disciples had the same attitude of humility. Jesus announced that “the hand of the one betraying Me” was seated with them “at the table.” Since He had not identified the betrayer yet, the disciples began to argue among themselves about who could do such a deed. Certainly Judas’s attitude was far from humble. He betrayed Jesus because he was greedy. John said Judas stole money from the treasury that he kept for Jesus (John 12:6). Jesus previously had called Judas “the Devil,” indicating he had a heart filled with pride and self-interest, just as Satan did when he rebelled against God (6:70). But Judas, even though his heart was filled with pride and selfishness, was not running the show. Jesus had to die. God had determined Jesus would go away, referring to His death. Jesus’ death fulfilled a God’s plan and purpose, and Judas’ greed led the disciple to betray Him. Because of Judas’s role in the plot, Jesus pronounced a woe on the one who betrayed Him.


The disciples showed little humility as well, not following the example of their Savior who was about to die on the cross for their sin. They argued about which one of them could do such a deed. Deep down, they surely had to know the potential for betrayal rested in each one of them. In fact, the only disciple mentioned at the cross was John (19:25-27). King David had experienced this kind of tragic betrayal from his own family, and he wrote, “Even my friend in whom I trusted, one who ate my bread, has raised his heel against me” (Ps. 41:9). Apparently the disciples began to look at each other with suspicion, as if they would never have it in them to betray Jesus. They should have looked at the humility of Christ who served them the supper.










II. JESUS SHOWS HOW TO SERVE – LUKE 22:24-27 
The Dispute over Greatness

24 Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest. 25 But He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles dominate them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving. 27 For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the One who serves. 

In what ways are you seeking humble service rather than greatness and recognition in your life?



What do you suppose were the roots of the disciples’ dispute? Where do we get our ideas of greatness? Which ideas really work? Why?

• Explore what makes a person great in our culture versus what makes a person great in the kingdom of God. Include that God knows real greatness; others are just counterfeits.
• OPTION: Take this question further by discussing whether it is wrong to achieve notoriety, acclaim, and influence. When and how might these enable us to be salt and light in a world that needs the love of Christ?

What comparisons did Jesus make to show how kingdom values differ from worldly values? What’s the paradox (seeming contradiction) in kingdom values?

• Kings of the Gentiles dominate them to help. In Christ’s kingdom, the great ones are not those who dominate and relate from a position of superiority.
• Key Word, like the youngest to explain the difference in the way youth was viewed.
• Additional comparisons can be seen in leader versus servant (v. 26b) and one being served a meal versus the one serving (v. 27).
• The paradox of Jesus’ teaching is the one who seems inferior—the youngest or the one serving—is actually the greatest. Explore why.

In what situations does it make you feel great to serve? When is it hard to be the servant?

• It’s easy to serve those we know will reciprocate.
• It becomes more difficult to humble ourselves and serve those with what we perceive as lower status, those who seem undeserving, those who won’t reciprocate, and those who hate us.
• Jesus didn’t say we could pick when to serve.

Lasting Lessons:

1. By earthly standards the greatest people are those with power and prestige.
2. God sent Jesus to live and die humble, self-giving love.
3. Christ’s followers are tempted to adopt the world’s definition of greatness.
4. Christ calls us to follow His example of humble service.
5. Following the world’s way leads to envy and strife.

 


III. STAND BY THE LOVELY – LUKE 22:28-30 
28 You are the ones who stood by Me in My trials. 29 I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one on Me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom. And you will sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel.

 

What challenges are testing your faithfulness to God at this time?




How did Jesus demonstrate He was “among you as the One who serves”? What character choices does it take to be a great servant?

• Look at 13:3-17, but also think of other ways Jesus served during His three-year ministry. Consider how He might have conducted His ministry differently if He had been seeking greatness for Himself.
• Think about character that serves by referencing Galatians 5:13-18; Philippians 2:1-4. What does this passage say to Christ followers who serve faithfully and humbly with little recognition or reward throughout their lives and sometimes wonder, “Is it worth it?” How does James 4:10 and Philippians 2:5-11 help?
• We can either humble ourselves and serve as God commands or remain proud and let God humble us. Explore why service matters.

Lasting Lessons:

1. Jesus has a kingdom, the future of which will be wonderful.
2. Faithfulness in service to Jesus does not go unrewarded; Jesus rewards those who are faithful to Him.
3. All believers need to submit to Christ’s rule in all areas of their lives.
4. All believers need to adopt a kingdom perspective.

On His last night with the 12 disciples, Jesus focused attention on the word greatest. His reason for doing so was because the disciples had misused the word to describe the ambition of each of them to be the greatest of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus totally redefined this word to make it fit who and what God considers great and greatest. True greatness is measured by humble service to others.



LIVE IT OUT


What does it take for us to become persons who, like Jesus, live to serve? What’s your next step to become a servant for the kingdom of God?

• It may begin with recognizing we’ve been living to serve ourselves or choosing humility (being teachable). It may involve looking outside our own affairs to see the needs of others and actually help. It may mean starting every day with, “Lord, show me how I can serve someone today in your name.”

Biblical Truths of This Lesson in Focus

• The world has a different definition of greatness than Jesus taught.
• The world values power and authority; Jesus values service.
• The Lord’s Supper retells the story of Jesus’ humility and service, when He gave His life for our sin.
• People in our world value recognition and honor, but Jesus desires humble service.
• Jesus will reward those who have a kingdom perspective instead of a worldly perspective.

Ask God to teach you to live a life of true greatness in humble service.


Concept Study: Jesus as “the One Who Serves” (v. 27)

Paul encouraged Christians to have the same attitude of Jesus in Philippians 2:5-11. This included a life that put others’ interests ahead of one’s own interests. Jesus did not hold to His place in heaven but came to earth, humbling Himself as a servant. He took on human form and obeyed the Father, even to death on a cross. Because He lived a life of humility, God exalted Him by giving Him a name above every name that all people would one day revere.



As we live our lives, serving is more important than being served. God sees every act of humble service, and He will certainly reward those who have lived lives like Jesus.



Jesus promised to give the apostles rights and privileges as leaders in His kingdom. They had adopted kingdom perspectives to order their lives. Jesus would build His kingdom of such people. He called His disciples “the ones who stood by Me in My trials.” The disciples had remained with Jesus in spite of plots by religious leaders against His life. They had seen the fickleness of the crowds yet remained with Him. Jesus had no place to call His home (Luke 9:58), and He certainly endured temptations from Satan both in the wilderness and throughout His earthly ministry. The disciples had adopted kingdom perspectives instead of worldly ones. They invested in His kingdom rather than trying to build their own. Those who want to be served are more interested in their own kingdoms. Those who serve are more interested in His kingdom.



Because the disciples stood by Jesus in His trials, He said He would bestow on them a kingdom. To bestow something meant to make a covenant with someone. These words reminded the disciples of Jesus’ words in Luke 22:20, where Jesus spoke of the cup in terms of “the new covenant established by My blood.” The idea (with a different Greek word) appears in Luke 12:32 for the Father making covenant with His people to give them the kingdom. In this case, Jesus makes the covenant and confers the kingdom. Jesus offered to us the same kingdom that the Father had given to Him.



As the disciples embraced kingdom perspectives, Jesus allowed them to participate in the kingdom of God, which had present and future implications. At certain points, the kingdom of God seemed to be present. In John the Baptist’s preaching, the prophet said, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” (Matt. 3:2). Jesus repeated the phrase in His preaching ministry (4:17). When Jesus drove out demons, He explained His actions with the words, “If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you” (Luke 11:20). When asked when the kingdom would come, Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with something observable; no one will say ‘Look here!’ or ‘There!’ For you see, the kingdom of God is among you” (Luke 17:20-21). Certainly the kingdom had present aspects.



The kingdom also had elements that awaited the future. In Acts 1:6-8, His disciples asked the risen Lord when He would restore the kingdom of Israel. He answered that they did not need “to know the times or periods that the Father has set” (Acts 1:7). Paul encouraged the churches in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch that they had “to pass through many troubles” before entering the kingdom of God (14:22). Obviously they had experienced salvation and saw the kingdom of God breaking into their world, but something of the kingdom awaited a future fulfillment.



Theologians have labeled the tension between the present and future aspects of the kingdom of God as already but not yet. We begin to experience the kingdom of God when we begin to follow Jesus, but some aspects of salvation await a future fulfillment. Every time we see a lost person receive Christ, we witness the coming of the kingdom. Every time we see a prayer answered or a sick person healed, we see elements of God’s kingdom at work. However, we do not see it in full like we will in the day when there are no lost people or sick people. In heaven, we will experience the fullness of God’s kingdom without an environment inclined toward sin and trial.



Jesus described two future rewards for living with kingdom perspectives on earth. First, He mentioned that the faithful would eat and drink at His table in His kingdom. Jesus had promised that He would not eat the bread and drink the cup again until He did so in the kingdom of God (Luke 22:16-18). Obviously Jesus believed that an interval of time would pass between His impending death and the future establishment of the fullness of His kingdom. Jesus referred to banquets in His parables (Matt. 22:1-14; Luke 14:7-24). This led to the proclamation, “The one who will eat bread in the kingdom of God is blessed!” (Luke 14:15). John used the same imagery to describe his heavenly vision of the end in Revelation 19:6-10 to describe the marriage feast between Jesus and His bride—the church. Faithfulness in service on earth would not go unrewarded in heaven, and the marriage banquet was part of that reward.



A second reward for living with kingdom perspectives involved a responsibility in heaven. Jesus said that those who belong to His kingdom would sit on thrones. In 2 Timothy 2:11-13, Paul quoted a saying that included the words, “For if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him.” In Revelation 5:10, John heard the song of the 24 elders that said of the redeemed, “You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth.” In Matthew 19:28, Jesus had previously taught the disciples that in the “Messianic Age” they would “sit on 12 thrones” representing the new Israel by ruling over the “12 tribes of Israel.” They had endured opposition and proven themselves faithful, and they had a work to do in Jesus’ kingdom. He reiterated these points again in Luke 22:30.



Identify areas in your life that you need to submit to Christ’s rule at this time.

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, help me to be great by Your standards. Help me to be more of a servant. Amen.

Be in prayer this week for how God might be changing the way you see service and greatness played out in your life.

See you on Sunday!

God Bless,

David & Susan