There are several different themes developed in Luke chapter 22. At
this time there are three, in particular, that have caught my eye. The
first has to do with Judas Iscariot, who had been with Christ for some
three years along with the other eleven disciples. In verses 1 thru 6,
Judas approaches the chief priests and captains of the people, with a
plan to betray the Son of God at a time to avoid the large numbers of
people who normally followed Him. These leaders feared the people,
since most of the "common" people thought Christ at least a prophet
and miracle worker. Jesus, aware of his soon coming death; verse 15-
16 says, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with
you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is
fulfilled in the Kingdom of God."
In verses 19 thru 20 he serves the bread and wine of the Passover
then says this, "But behold, the hand of my betrayer is with Me on
the table; and truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined,
but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed." Verses 21-22) In the
verses that follow there is a surprising response to this declaration.
"Then they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was
who would do this thing. Now there was also a strife among them,
as to which of them should be accounted the greatest."
(Verses 23-24)
Is it not just like us as "Church People," to miss the point of a Word
from the Lord and begin to consider selfish interests? Here the Lord
indicated His eminent betrayal by one of his close friends" and His
imminent death. After briefly discussing who it might be that would
betray the Son of God, the disciples began their own self promotion.
We have not changed very much...
Just as earlier, Matthew 20:20-28 the brothers, James and John,
with their mother asked Jesus to give them seats of honor in His
Kingdom. The Lord explained how things are in the Kingdom. In
Luke 22:25-27 we read; 25. "The kings of the gentiles exercise lord-
ship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called
benefactors. 26. But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is
greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as
he who serves. 27. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he
who serves? Yet, I am among you as the One who serves." The pas-
sage gives the attitude of one who is to be great in His Kingdom, but
the lesson was apparently lost on these disciples, as we see here. He
again explains the disposition of one who would be greatest among us/
them. The lesson seems to be lost on the church of today, as well.
We call our leaders "ministers," indicating that they serve. Are there
times when the one, who is minister becomes an overseer? His autho-
rity is the instruction of God's Word and does not reside in himself. It
is also true in government. One is appointed to be Minister of Defense.
Does this mean he is servant of all? No, this title is used to give autho-
rity over the Department of Defense; control of resources of the mili-
tary and over the lives of thousands of people who serve in that depart-
ment. We still refer to this person as a minister or "servant." It is the
same in the church. This was never intended in the Scripture. Another
view of this is the fact that Pastors have authority within the Church of
God. The authority is not their own and is wrapped in their adherence
to Scripture. As long as a Minister, Pastor, or other who serves the
Flock of our Lord Jesus Christ ministers according to the Word of God
he has all the authority of the Lord God with him. That ministry must
be tempered with humility and love of the Lord and the brethren...
In Luke 22:31-34 Christ explains to Simon Peter how he would deny Him.
Along with the idea that this disciple (later an Apostle) would deny Christ,
the Lord then said something quite telling. Verse 32: "But I have prayed
for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to
Me, strengthen your brethren." Judas was a "devil" from the beginning,
never a true follower. Simon Peter, a true follower of our Lord, was weak
in faith just as we all are at times. One other thing about these disciples.
They were not, as yet, filled with the Holy Spirit and were operating in the
flesh. In the first chapter of Acts of the Apostles, there is the account of
the Spirit of the Lord God coming upon these men (the eleven) and they
were all transformed.
The lesson here for us is to make sure, as we follow Jesus Christ,
our lives are typified by a reliance on the fullness of the Spirit in
and on our lives, and the resultant humility that brings. Other-
wise we will fail and that may be disastrous.
Please click and read the link below....
http://biblicalclarity-don.blogspot.com/2013/02/holy-spirit-basics-acts-1-2.html
donporter 11.25.13
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