The One Who Serves
“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.””
— Luke 22:24-27 (NIV)
At the Last Supper, the disciples start arguing about which of them is the greatest. It comes right after Jesus has said that one of the men at that table will betray him. Jesus points them to the kings of the Gentiles, who lord it over people and call themselves Benefactors. "But you are not to be like that," he says. The greatest should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. Then he asks who is greater, the one at the table or the one who serves. He answers the way anyone would: the one at the table. Yet he says he is among them as one who serves. So he puts himself with the one who does not sit at the table but serves the people at it. The greatest among them belongs on that same side.
Dinner is on the table, everyone sits down, and someone is still filling the plates. Sometimes you sit down sure that today it is your turn to be served. You did the most, after all. And when you are the one serving, it is easy to let out a sigh. Or to say "me again" or "I'll eat later" so everyone hears it. Either way, it is about who counts for more at the table.
Serve First, Take Last, Without a Sigh
- 1At one meal with other people today, at home, at work or just coffee on a break, pass the food or pour the drinks for everyone else before you take anything. Serve yourself last without a word about it, not even "I'll eat later," and without a sigh.
Lord Jesus, you told your disciples that you were among them as one who serves. I often sit down feeling that today I have earned being looked after. And when I do serve, I want everyone to know it. At the table today, help me serve the others first and take mine last. Help me do it without a sigh or a remark about it. Amen.
At the table today, I will serve everyone else and take mine last, without a word or a sigh.
Who were the Benefactors Jesus mentions?
Benefactor was an honorary title given to rulers and wealthy patrons in that world. Jesus notes that men who lord it over others still carry that name, and tells the disciples not to be like that.
Does Jesus deny that serving is the lower place?
No. He grants that the one at the table is normally counted greater. Then he says that he himself is among them as one who serves.
What if I already serve everyone at every meal, for example my children?
Then the harder half of the challenge is yours: serve everyone and take yours last without a remark and without a sigh.