2017-07-23 Luke 22: 24-30 A Life That Matters

A LIFE THAT MATTERS (Luke 22:24-30) July 23, 2017 Read Luke 22:24-30 – One teacher asked her pupils to list the 11 greatest Americans. Shortly she asked one boy, “Have you finished your list, Bobby?” He replied, “Not quite. I can’t decide on the quarterback.” Greatness. That’s our subject. In life, not sports, of course. Mentioned 3 times (24, 26, 27). Jesus’ disciples are thinking more politically, doing their best Muhammad Ali imitation. “I am the greatest!” It was a horribly inappropriate dispute given the time and place. It was not the first time they’d had this discussion (Mark 9:34-37; Lu 9:46). James and John’s mom had even gotten involved, asking that her sons sit one on each side of Jesus in His kingdom (Mt 20:20-28). And here they are, the night before Jesus’ death, rehashing the same old argument – who among them was most important? Who should have the highest honor? Luke places this after the Lord’s Supper, but he’s not being chronological. Almost certainly this dispute arose early in the evening – perhaps as they were determining who should sit where – always an indication of importance – or perhaps, given the absence of a foot-washing servant, to determine who should assume that menial task, which no one did. It probably entailed discussion about who would occupy what cabinet positions in the kingdom they expected imminently. They were jockeying for position. And we are quick to fault them for this silly, inconsequential quarrel. But let’s step back and reconsider. What did the disciples want? Places of authority in Jesus’ kingdom, right? So, what did Jesus promise them? 30b: To “sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” That puts a different spin on things, doesn’t it? What they wanted is just what He promised! The problem wasn’t what they wanted. The problem was the way they were going about it. They wanted greatness; Jesus promised them greatness. BUT – there are 2 paths to greatness – the world’s way and God’s way – a passing way and a permanent way – a cultural way and a countercultural way. So He says, “Guys, don’t you get it yet? We’re not cultural. We’re counterculture. We’re not about temporary; we’re about permanent. We’re not about man’s way; we’re about God’s way. So, let me contrast those for you.” And so He does! Now you may be saying, “Well, this isn’t for me. I don’t have those kind of ambitions. The ambition to be great was beat out of me early on.” But, listen, while all of us may not hanker to be mayor, or governor or president – we all 1 want to matter. We do. No one wants to think they lived for nothing. Some comedian said, “I got my hair highlighted because I thought some strands were more important than others.” Well, it’s built into us to want to be a highlighted hair! We all want to matter. And what Jesus is showing us here is how to matter -- permanently! He does that by contrasting the human cultural way to be great with the heavenly counterculture way. I. Greatness in Human Culture Jesus characterizes the world’s view of great people in two ways. A. Powerful Enough to Impose Their Own Will 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them.” Great people impose their will on others. Jesus illustrates: 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table?” That’s the earthly perspective. If you observed dinner at Buckingham Palace, who would you define as great – the queen with her entourage and guests who are being served? Or the people doing the serving? It’s the sitters who are great, right? They are lording it over the others. Whether they do it graciously or thru acts of terror isn’t the issue. The issue is – they have the power to demand! That’s how the world defines greatness. That’s how most of us would define it. Greatness is the ability to make others do what you want. The better you can do that, the greater you are. You may get that kind of power legitimately – but force of personality or privilege of position -- or illegitimately (by physical force). But however it comes, it’s temporary. And greatness in God’s eyes is never measured by the ability to impose one’s will on another. But that’s what the disciples are doing – disputing – trying to impose their will on others. They’re using worldly methods to determine their importance. That’s what would make them matter. There’s that great scene from McClintock where John Wayne is an old codger, but still feisty. Some guy has done him wrong, and John backs him up, but just as he’s about to throw a haymaker, he catches himself and says, “I'm gonna use good judgment. I haven't lost my temper in forty years, but pilgrim you caused a lot of trouble this morning, might have got somebody killed... and somebody oughta belt you in the mouth. But I won't, I won't.” He turns and starts to leave then turns back and says, “The blankety blank I won't!” and he belts the guy in the mouth. Imposing his will. Power. Greatness. And we get caught up in it. The more we can impose our will – whether it be at home, on 2 the job, at church, in the community – the greater we suppose ourselves to be. But Jesus is saying, “It’s an illusion. Be careful. It’s not God’s way.” That’s why the Lord tells church leaders in I Pet 5:3, “3 not domineering (or “lording it”) over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” Worldly leaders lord it over people. That’s not for church leaders; not for followers in the church; not for any believer. It’s the world’s way, not God’s. B. Powerful Enough to Influence the Will of Others 25c: “and those in authority over them are called benefactors.” Buy people. Curry favor. Use your power, influence, position or money to turn people your way as a benefactor. The word “benefactor” can be a great word. But as used here, it means to benefit people for personal gain. Having ulterior motives. In 1960 JFK had an uphill battle for president bc of his age and religion. He needed W. Va in the primary, but it was heavily Protestant and HHH was running 20 points ahead. Kennedy campaigned heavily, and his dad poured a lot of money into the state. Kennedy came from behind to win with 60% of the vote. He later kidded that he got a telegram from his father: “Don’t buy a single vote more than necessary. I’ll be [hanged] if I’m going to pay for a landslide.” I don’t know if that really happened but it illustrates power. When you’ve got enough money to be benefactor to enough people to buy a landslide, you’ve got a lot of power. But in the end – you’re just using people, right? It may be great by human standards, but not by God’s. II. Greatness in Heavenly Counterculture So how does God see greatness? Three things from this passage. Key word -humility –what the world despises. But we must choose – great in the world’s eyes for now – or great in God’s eyes forever? Choose God and you’ll not just impact history; you’ll impact eternity. So how do I do that? A. Humble Enough to Defer – 25: “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. (Literally – “But you, not so!). Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest.” Look at that! The greatest! Not just great, but greatest! What does that person look like? Like the youngest! You’re kidding, right? Nope – that’s what Jesus said, “Let the greatest among you become as the youngest.” Who would have ever thought of that path to greatness? Jesus – that’s who. 3 What characterizes young people? They defer to their elders, right? That’s Jesus’ point. You want to be great. Then defer to others – not just when you’re young. But when you are old “become as the youngest.” There’s a tall order. The world says, “Demand your right! Be heard!” Jesus says, “You want to be great to God – then become as the youngest.” Defer. Give up your rights. Treat others as though they were your elders even if they aren’t. Do that in faith and your will become great – maybe not here – but there! Maybe not now – but forever. That’s not a bad trade. Phil 2:3-4: “3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” He doesn’t say, “Ignore your interests.” He says, “Look to others’ first. Defer.” So hard to do. Especially we absolutely know we’re right. Can you defer then? You can’t be great if not. When you demand your rights, you are living for now instead of then. You may win, but you’ll lose. Winston Churchill -- great human leader. Notoriously difficult to work for. One day he got into a blazing row with a subordinate. Later Churchill pouted, “You were very rude to me, you know.” The man replied, “Yes, but you were rude, too.” Churchill replied, “Yes -- but I am a great man.” In the world’s eyes, without a doubt. But that reply showed him a pygmy in God’s eyes. No deference there – no willingness to see others as his equal. How about you? Can you speak your mind yet defer when necessary? Or will you defend your rights to the death? Then you do not matter much – not to God. You may be great in your own eyes, but not in the eyes of the only One who counts. B. Humble Enough to Serve The next huge step. The real test of greatness? Lording it over others? No – serving others. Countercultural! But that’s Jesus’ command. He says it twice, and gives a vivid demonstration – one they’d never forget. 26 . . . Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. (Now watch) 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” “You want to be great. You want to be the one sitting at the table being served. But guess where you’ll find me? I’ll be serving.” And so He did! I suspect it was right here that Jesus, per Jn 13: 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” Here He 4 is – the most worthy Person in history washing feet. And then He says: Jn 13:13, “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” “Here’s your job description. Bury the dispute and wash feet. Not literally, but serve others as I’ve served you. Want to be Sir Lance in my kingdom? Then stop posturing; start serving!” What an example. But next day He took it to a whole other level. He cleansed feet that night, but next day He cleansed hearts by taking the penalty for our sin on Himself – giving up His reputation and every right He had to serve. And while the world only saw a sorry, pitiful naked man on a cross abandoned by man and God, God saw greatness. Phil 2:9, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” That’s the ultimate service anyone could render. It was greatness personified. Serving, Beloved, is not a means to an end. We don’t serve to become great. We serve because serving is great. You don’t serve to get great. You serve only if you are great, in Him! Are you great enough to serve? Listen, someone around you needs you. Someone God’s put there. The only question is are you great enough to serve – or are you too small. Too small to matter! Martyn Lloyd-Jones, one of the great pastors of the 20th century – much sought after in big places -- used to, in his retirement, travel to small churches in his native Wales to preach and encourage the people. Contrast that with a famous man, asked to speak at one church: “Last time I spoke at your church, you only got me 800 people. I don’t speak for that small a crowd. Waste of my time.” Too great in his eyes to serve a small crowd. But he was small potatoes to God. Very small. How about you? Are you big enough to serve – or are you too small to matter? C. Humble Enough to Persevere 28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” That’s an amazing comment, isn’t it? They’d often been more hindrance than help. And by morning, they would all be gone! When the trials really began, they were out of there. Theirs was a flawed faithfulness at best. And yet – they were faithful. They persevered as others fell away. Remember how the 5,000 wanted to make Him King then and there. But when He refused them food and challenged them to believe we find Jn 6:66: “After this many 5 of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” When others left; these stayed. Flawed, yes, but yet faithful. Hope for us, yes? How could He call them faithful, knowing they were going to run? He saw through their failure to their hearts, that’s how. Like Abraham. Remember how God told him he’d have a son – be the father of a great nation. Ten years on and Abe is 85, Sarah’s 75 – no kids. Things look bleak. So, they take matters into their own hands. Abe has a baby boy by Sarah’s maid, Hagar. He presents Ishmael to God and says, “Look what I’ve done. Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” (Gen 17:18). But God says, “No. It must be my way, thru Sarah.” So 15 years later, after both Abe and Sarah are long past their shelf life for kids, here comes Isaac – Laughter! We’d say, “Okay, Abe had faith. But it was pretty shabby – pretty flawed”, right? Want to know what God said? It’s hidden away in Heb 6:15, “And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.” Patiently waited? Are you kidding? Right in the middle he took immoral license and offered the result to God. How could God call that patiently waiting? Because He knew Abe’s heart – just like He knew the disciples’ hearts. And tho they were gone by morning, they were back within a week, and shortly after that began to turn their world upside down. Our faithfulness will always be flawed, Beloved. But if it’s real, it will matter; it will matter to God! Conc – Greatness isn’t about imposing our will on others; it’s about doing God’s will for others. Faithfully serving. That’s what matters. In Ordinary Michael Horton tells of a young man who came out of college ready to change the world. He dedicated his life to teaching in at-risk schools, but eventually had a breakdown and returned home. He agonized at his human failure, but he learned what really matters – to God. He says, “I saw a sign, ‘Everyone wants a revolution. No one wants to do the dishes.’ My life is really rich in dirty dishes (and diapers) these days and really short in revolutions. I go to a church full of people who live normal, middle-class lives in nice, middle-class houses. But I also see their lifetimes of sturdy faithfulness to Jesus, their commitment to prayer, and the tangible, beautiful generosity that they show those around them in unnoticed, unimpressive, unmarketable, unrevolutionary ways.” Ordinary, but great – a life of service and faithfulness – a life that matters. Let’s pray. 6