Thursday 24/8/06 - Luke 22:24-30

^{LK 22:24} Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵ Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactor ²⁶ But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ²⁷ For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ²⁸ You are those who have stood by me in my trials. ²⁹ And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, ³⁰ so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

How do we measure greatness? Intelligence, charisma or personality, wealth, appearance, achievement?

Jesus has just shared the Last Supper with the disciples and told them that one of them would betray him. This led them to discuss who this might be and then which of them was the greatest.

You could summarise this passage by the sentence : "In God's kingdom greatness is measured by humility and service evidenced by Jesus." Repeat.

Contra the world where, Jesus said rulers:

Lord it over others and

Liked to be called "benefactor", a title, suggesting that doing good was considered praiseworthy.

In Jesus day veneration/respect was given to older people.

A master was considered greater than a waiter, who was usually a slave. Jesus said his followers should not seek this veneration, status or service.

Jesus is the example of this. Earlier that evening he had taken on the role of the most junior slave in washing his disciples feet.

Jesus had a heart for service shown by a life of service.

There is a contrast between Christ and His disciples. He was about to descend into the deepest humiliation, sorrow and shame - the greatest agony and death. Yet among the disciples, there was argument as to which of them would be the greatest.

Jesus recognized that eleven of his disciples will stay true to him. This includes Bartholomew, who is celebrated in the church calendar today.

Those who imitate him and are faithful to him will receive the most senior roles in God's kingdom, which was pictured by Jews as a banquet.

God's kingdom is different to the world. His rule will be established by one who came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many, Mk. 10:45.

Message today: We should not seek status and service but be humble and serve. The service should be for the right reasons. If we desire the title of "servant" in other people's eyes we are like the rulers who Jesus condemned for wanting to be known as "Benefactor".

Richard Foster, in his book Celebration of Discipline, put together a brief comparison of the characteristics of service that is focused more upon self and service that is focused upon Christ. In paraphrased form, it becomes a self-help test about people's motivation to serve.

"Self-focused service is concerned with impressive gains. It enjoys serving when the service is titanic or growing in that direction.

Christ-focused service doesn't distinguish between small and large. It indiscriminately welcomes all opportunities to serve.

Self-focused service requires external reward, appreciation, and applause.

Christ-focused service rests content in hidden-ness. The divine nod of approval is sufficient.

Self-focused service is highly concerned about results. It becomes disillusioned when results fall below expectations.

Christ-focused service is free of the need to calculate results; it delights only in service.

Self-focused service is affected by feelings.

Christ-focused service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need. The service disciplines the feelings.

Self-focused service insists on meeting the need; it demands the opportunity to help.

Christ-focused service listens with tenderness and patience. It can serve by waiting in silence."

Humility leading to service is the sign of true greatness. Service within our family, community, church nation and the world. One of the ways that we can serve is by giving time to people, a valuable commodity in our busy age. This may go unnoticed in and by the world, but God will honour this in eternity.

The only way that we can serve is by relying upon the Holy Spirit who lives within us. He will give us the humility to be slaves of and for Jesus. He will give us the strength and gifts we need to serve Christ.

Prayer of St. Ignatius

Lord, teach me to be generous.

Teach me to serve you as you deserve;

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labour and not to ask for reward,

save that of knowing that I do your will.