Sometimes our expectations cause cataracts to form on the way we see the reality surrounding us. As a result, our vision is dimmed and distorted. The effect: our understanding of reality is dimmed and distorted. We are deceived by our understanding of what we see because our expectations distort our perception.
At the conclusion of the meal and Jesus' instituting communion, the twelve were confused by some things Jesus said (see Luke 22:23). It was not the first time Jesus said something they did not understand (see Mark 9:30-32). Once Peter was so bold as to rebuke Jesus for talking about dying, and Jesus called Peter, who understood Jesus was the Christ (Matthew 16:15, 16), Satan (Matthew 16:22, 23). The cataracts of Peter's expectations were not focused on God's interests.
On the occasion in our text, Jesus was less than 24 hours from his death. The twelve were arguing. They were arguing about which of them was the most important. It was an old argument that had occurred numerous times during Jesus' ministry (see Matthew 18:1-6; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46; Matthew 20:20-28). Try as he did, Jesus could never get beyond the blurred vision of their distorted expectations. He could never get them to understand that God's concept and standards of greatness and people's concept and standards of greatness had nothing in common. God simply did not (and does not) measure greatness as do people. Neither should those who follow God.
It is understandable that the twelve were victims of distorted expectations. They were part of a society that for generations held some general expectations of God's promised Messiah (Hebrew) or Christ (Greek). In some way God's Messiah would come and usher in God's kingdom. In some way that Messiah would get rid of Israel's enemies and bring Israel to its place of prominence as a nation.
Also, the twelve made significant personal investments in their devotion to Jesus. At least some left jobs to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22). At least some were married (Matthew 8:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5), and their devotion to Jesus had to create stress on their families. They endured the multitudes, the harassment, and the endless demands (Mark 3:9, 10; Luke 6:19). They went into hiding with Jesus to make certain Jesus was not killed (John 10:40). They risked death to come out of hiding to comfort Lazarus' sisters (John 11:14-16). They witnessed Jesus' triumph in Lazarus' resurrection (John 12:9-11) and in Jesus' week of popular public appearances in Jerusalem (Matthew 21:23-46 and following). They faithfully experienced the highs and lows, the ups and downs, and the times of stress and the times of elation. Why should they not be rewarded for their devotion? Why should they not be Jesus administrators in his kingdom? Should not the choice positions in his administration be theirs? Which of them should get the best position [that should go to the most important of them]?
Consider today's text. While the Jewish people were generously (for that time) allowed the rights to do many things, they were still under Roman rule as a hostile occupied nation. Though they had many rights, they did not rule themselves. They knew rule (governing) proceeded from the gentles (a gentile was any non-Jewish person, a person not born of a Jewish woman). They also knew that rulers (1) possessed the ultimate authority and (2) liked to think everyone depended on them. Thus the common concept of governmental importance was (1) having authority and (2) forcing people to depend on you and your decisions.
Such people had power and wealth in the twelve's world! For the majority in our world, things have not changed. Power and wealth are in the hands of those (1) who have authority and (2) who make others dependent on them.
Jesus said this would not be the situation of those who followed him. In their society, the person who had the least authority and status was (1) the person without experience or the young and (2) the slave [who existed to do as he/she was told] who did not even have control over his/her own body.
Jesus said he was an example. He was God's son in the flesh--the most prestigious person alive. What he received, God gave him. Yet, he did not come to be served by people, but to serve people. He would even serve the twelve. He would take God's kingdom and use God's gift to him to bless them.
To understand Jesus' point takes enormous faith. If we do not receive direct benefit from our identity and accomplishments, we fear that no one will recognize our worth. We want to enjoy the benefits of identity and worth right now in material ways. To defer such benefits to God's promises in a future existence takes enormous faith as we look about us. As we see people reaping material benefits from identity and accomplishments, it is difficult not to want what they have. It is difficult not to want the kind of authority that make others dependent on us. Is that not the way people measure importance? Yet, that is not the way God measures importance!
It is difficult (1) to understand the way people treat people is the way people treat God, (2) to serve others with the motives of a good servant, and (3) to understand that all people are made in God's image, even when they ignore that fact!
Have the faith to serve rather than be served! Have the faith to trust God enough to serve!
For Thought and Discussion
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 9