Dear Theophilus,
What incredible and unlikely news
you bring! I can scarcely believe the
drama that I read—the apostles gathered for that celebratory meal, Jesus
pronouncing that his fate is sealed, offering up gifts and rituals to continue
beyond his own life. This is all too
much for me to take in, and surely you cannot expect me to make an emotional
conversion in the midst of such drama? I
need time to process all of this, to see where it leads, to ask myself what
truth there can be in such a tale. I
agree that it is all fascinating, but many tales that fascinate the mind and
capture the heart have failed to sway me into religious devotion, and I will
not let this one lead me to a place where others have failed until I am
completely convinced of the truth of the matter.
And to be honest, Theophilus, the
disciples keep getting in the way. Jesus
come across as so serious, so wise, so filled with passion and courage, and the
disciples just never seem to be able to get is straight. For instance, Jesus is leading them through
this serious meal, with betrayal at the center of the conversation, and several
of the disciples veer wildly off track and begin to debate which one of them is
the greatest. Jesus isn’t even through
supper and they’re already trying to figure out who will replace him as
leader! What kind of followers do that
while the leader is still in the room, alive and kicking?
Jesus, of course, turns the
conversation around, reminding them that gentile kings use their power to gain
benefits over others. Worldly leaders
are about gaining power for the sake of power, but the disciples are not
supposed to be that way. Jesus tells
them that whomever aspires to be the greatest must do so by imitating the
youngest, the servant, and in this way one leads. In the eyes of the rest of the world, this
seems like folly! Jesus asks them
whether the servant or the one who is served is greater, and he answers his own
question by telling them that the one at the table is considered greater, but
that Jesus came to them as the one who serves.
We’ve seen this illustrated time
and time again by Jesus’ selfless actions, but I wonder if the disciples ever
connected his service with his greatness.
Perhaps they considered it another factor of his personality, when he is
telling them here that his greatness arises out of his love and willingness to
serve, and if they wish to be great, (and most of us do!) then they must begin
with humility and service.
Lest the disciples believe that
their service will take from them all benefits, Jesus tells them that they have
faithfully remained by his side through many trials, and that a kingdom shall
be theirs, just as Jesus received a kingdom from God! He tells them that they will eat and drink at
the Lord’s table in his kingdom, sitting on thrones as judges over the tribes
of Israel!
What a promise, Theophilus—they
don’t fully understand who he is, and yet he is offering them a kingdom, and a
place on a throne! I don’t fully grasp
all of this kingdom talk, but I wouldn’t turn down the offer of one, or of a
place on a throne as a judge as well as the chance to eat at Jesus’ table! I know that you will tell me that I need to
accept Jesus as Lord first, but what an offer this is. That must have taken the sting off Jesus’ words
about service leading to greatness, and perhaps they were far more willing to
serve now that such motivation lingers for them.
Sincerely,
Luke
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