Luke 22:27-29 - 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 on me.
This passage begins with Jesus talking to His disciples about serving. He asks the question, “Who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves?” I can see Him pausing for a moment here, to let them ponder His question. When no one answers Jesus proceeds with another question, “Is it not the one who is at the table?” At this I point I’m sure the disciples were agreeing with Him, “Yeah, that’s right Jesus, the one who is at the table is greater.” Whether they said it out loud or not, they had to be thinking it, because that is our culture. It was back then and it still is today, the servant serves the “important” people.
Now Jesus’ next statement is a mind blower. He doesn’t actually answer the question. “But I am among you as one who serves.” “Wait a minute Jesus! You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You are the Son of God and Saviour of the world. What are you saying?” I could see myself saying this if I were there. Jesus had been serving them since He first met them, but they never really thought about it before now. They always viewed Him as being the Teacher and their leader, not as their servant, but now Jesus just opened their eyes to the Truth. It was obvious to them that Jesus was greater than them, He was (and is) the Son of God, but now they see the position He put Himself in. This is what the apostle Paul is talking about in his letters when he says, “Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus was the ultimate servant, not only serving us, but then also giving up His life for us. Now Jesus recognizes His disciples as they have stood beside Him, not only in the good times, but through the trials as well. I think He is telling them that He trusts them. They’ve shown themselves trustworthy and they will not run away when times get hard. In the next line Jesus tells them that He is giving the responsibility of the kingdom of heaven to them. He says, “I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred on me.” Confer means to “grant or bestow” (as in a title, degree, benefit, or right). Before Jesus gave them this responsibility He wanted to make sure they understood what it meant and we also need to understand.
Jesus also passed on this responsibility to us, as children of God. We are to bring the kingdom to earth just as Jesus did. As we look at the beginning of this passage we realize that the kingdom comes through serving. We will need to preach and speak the words of God as well, but without serving our life and ministry will never be successful. So, live as Jesus did and become a servant to those around you. It does not matter who is most important, turn the tables, blow peoples minds, and bring God’s kingdom to earth through serving those around you!!.
God's Kingdom in many ways is the complete opposite of worldly kingdoms. In worldly kingdoms, like you said, the greater you become the more servants you have. You can even see this in our 'Christian' nation when you look at the president and how many people are constantly serving him. But Jesus said that His kingdom is different. We as Christians need to stop getting so caught up in our earthly citizenship and start learning what it means to be citizens of Heaven.
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