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Realizing the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.
The DEEP

I'm the Greatest Disciple! No You Aren't, I Am!

Sigh.

Luke 22:24-30 (NIV)

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 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. 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. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

I used the NIV translation here because it captures the right feel in verse 25. The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.

It’s hard for a modern American to imagine the concept of property in a feudal system. Everything actually belonged to the ruler and anything he let you keep was a gift. Thus, those who exercise authority … call themselves Benefactors, even if they have done nothing helpful.

This is, of course, nuts from a modern point of view. It’s also not how the kingdom of God works. That’s Jesus’ point here. 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.

The great irony is that in the kingdom of God, this feudal concept isn’t totally illogical. God really does own everything and anything He lets you keep is a gift. But Jesus’ point has to do with what they were disputing – which of them was considered to be greatest.

The Kingdom of God isn’t multi-layered the way most feudal systems are. There aren’t lots of levels, with local rulers lording it over their subjects, bigger rulers lording it over the local ones, and kings lording it over the bigger rulers.

In the kingdom of God, there’s only one Lord and everyone else should humble themselves. Jesus even modeled that for His disciples. 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.

It’s awesome that the true king of kings did that. Only someone with total self-confidence could prioritize teaching that way.


Consider your church’s staff, particularly the ones who are not the main leaders. These people usually don’t get much praise for the work they do. They just try to make sure things work the way they should – and they only get noticed when things don’t.

Ask the Lord to bless them and encourage them.

You should encourage them too.


The weekly study guides, which include discussion questions, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Mike Slay

As a mathematician, inventor, and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, Mike Slay brings an analytical, conversational, and even whimsical approach to the daily study of God's Word.

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