That's Enough
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That’s Enough
That’s Enough
When you think you have it all together, that is when you are the lowest. You always have more to give, more to learn, more to do.
For some: They never have enough
We need to define what is enough.
What is the “enough,” and how much will be enough?
Kara will ask me this question sometimes. “How much is enough for you?” It is in the context of finances. I never have a good answer, and I did not know why until I put this message together.
I have had good money in the bank with a good job.
I have been flat broke with a young mouth to feed.
In those moments, I felt powerless over my situation.
I was ashamed and believed myself to be inadequate.
That experience put an anchor in me that I never wanted to go through that again.
So when she asks, “how much is enough,” I don’t know.
I am conflicted with living in our world, at this time, and what scripture, Jesus, teaches.
For you, the question may not be about material goods or money.
It may be about something else...
Let’s get into this and see if we can find an answer to our question.
Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.
We left off here last week after Jesus let’s them in on the secret that a traitor is among them.
They don’t know who it is, so they all start arguing about who has been the most faithful.
Who among them deserves the biggest reward.
Who AMONG THEM HAS DONE ENOUGH!!!
Jesus responds to them...
Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.
Jesus’ approach to life is upside down from what they have experience and what they have desired.
Here is the problem…All through the Hebrew Bible, there is talk of someone inheriting David’s throne, forever.
And everyone, I mean everyone, assumed the one to come and sit on that throne would be like the world’s great kings and great men.
That ruler would LORD IT OVER his enemies, and then he would be a FRIEND OF THE PEOPLE.
Do you get it?
If the ruler of a people oppresses and punishes their enemy, then that ruler is a friend of the people.
If a politician in Washington punishes those who oppose them, then they are friends of their people.
BUT FOR YOU…YOU WILL NOT BE LIKE THAT.
Seek the lowest rank (not in a job, but in positions of power)
Serve in all you do (including in your job)
You want a seat at my table, then you must serve.
If you assume you have a seat, then you don’t.
WHICH TABLE…?
The one on earth, the tables of the leaders of power.
Do not desire that position.
For some, that is not ENOUGH…They want more...
But…there is another table...
“You have stayed with me in my time of trial. And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
It is the Lord’s table that you should desire.
Think about it...
Do you want the table of kings and rulers, or do you want the table of the one that made the kings and rulers?
You walk with Jesus during the times of trouble and you will be seated at the table.
********
Judging what? For what purpose? For what outcome?
And who is going to occupy that twelfth seat?
When you put yourself at the head of the line, you are not qualified to sit on a throne and judge others, because you will LORD IT OVER them. You will desire payback. And the ultimate Judge will not let that happen, since he is the Judge of vengeance.
Jesus is going to sit on this throne too. What has he done to qualify for that role? He has sacrificed everything, including torture and giving his life on behalf of others. That is why he opens with the leaders of this world LORD IT OVER others and we call them FRIENDS. But NOT SO WITH YOU!
You cannot judge the service or work of others until you yourself have become the greatest servant, not rank, but lowest. Then, you have qualified to determine if another has served God well. This is a brilliant way to put a sword in the idea of comparing yourself to anyone else.
You must lift the burden for yourself and others, then you can sit on the throne.
The throne is not a power play. You cannot remove this verse from its context. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus puts this verse among others that say you must leave your house, family, and land for Jesus’ name, then you will receive. But, those are FIRST will be last.
When you put yourself at the head of the line, you are not qualified to sit on a throne and judge others, because you will LORD IT OVER them. You will desire payback. And the ultimate Judge will not let that happen, since he is the Judge of vengeance.
The Gospel according to Luke Forewarnings Following Passover (22:21–38)
Those who receive the gospel solely for its benefits will abandon it for its costs.
And just in case you think you can OVERCOME the WORLD...
There is a whole other WORLD that you cannot contend with alone...
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
Sounds like Job...
There is a spiritual battle going on, and Jesus has a front row seat of sorts.
How does Jesus know this?
Jesus prophesies that Peter will fail, because he will repent and turn to Jesus again...
And what is the command...
SERVE YOUR BROTHERS...
Be the strong one for others, carry your burden and theirs too.
Is Peter STRONG ENOUGH?
Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”
But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
I am strong ENOUGH!
I will do exactly what you do.
*******But Jesus...
Jesus breaks up that party really quick.
I cannot imagine how this made Peter feel.
He is convinced this is about Jesus ruling like a ruler on earth.
And Jesus has just told him...
No, you don’t have enough strength or courage to acknowledge me when the going gets tough.
He turns to them all...
Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?”
“No,” they replied.
They had enough, as far as Jesus was concerned.
If you asked them if they had enough, would they agree?
How often have you believed you did not have enough and you had enough?
How long was it before you started to believe?
“But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”
Before, when they were sent out, they were like emissaries announcing the arrival of the king.
They would shelter and be fed by those who would welcome them.
But now, they are to take what they have and go and serve.
And the issue with the swords…
Finally, Jesus is getting onboard with fighting Rome!
Jesus calls attention to a writing in Isaiah 53:12
“Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.”
Do you follow what Jesus is saying?
In order to be numbered or counted among the rebels...
HE NEEDS TO BE WITH REBELS...
So, you eleven who remain...
You eleven who want to kill your enemies...
Fulfill the prophecy and buy swords.
Yes, the prophets were correct.
You are no different than the rulers and kings of the earth.
And none of them understand it.
The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”
“That’s enough!” he replied.
Two swords are ENOUGH?
Two swords are going to turn back Rome?
Two swords are going to turn back Temple Police?
Two swords are going to turn back the satan?
The fact they have two weapons speaks volumes about them.
There are SEVERAL WAYS to READ THIS:
Metaphor, the swords are wisdom. Acquire wisdom is a principle of Proverbs that would work in this context.
Literal, they have two real swords.
If this is literal, then his statement “that’s enough” could be a declaration like, “I have had enough of this!”
I believe Jesus means to acquire wisdom, the sword of faith, truth.
They pull out two physical swords...
…AND ASK...
IS THIS ENOUGH?
And Jesus halts all further conversation.
I believe this because this is the final teaching, the final interaction he will have with his disciples until his resurrection.
Jesus tells them:
Go acquire a weapon against evil
(scripture and wisdom)
They bring two physical swords
(Lord, is this enough?)
Maybe Jesus can multiply the SWORDS like BREAD!
Take your moneybag…WHERE IS YOUR MONEY STORED?
Take your cloak…but GIVE IT AWAY
Better yet…SELL IT FOR WISDOM
And…DEFEND YOURSELF AGAINST EVIL
And this is it. This is the last of Jesus’ direct teaching in Luke...
UNTIL HE RISES FROM the TOMB.
What is he saying?
What you think you have...
Will never be enough...
Think of all he has taught:
Serve others
Relieve oppression
Feed the hungry
Care for the poor
Heal the wounded
Store treasure in heaven
Don’t desire riches
Don’t desire power
All the things we value have no value unless they lift someone in need.