Two meals are mentioned during our Lord's last week on earth. One we all know. We often refer to it as the Lord's Supper. The other one is not nearly as significant. In the midst of the Passover meal, Jesus instituted the "Lord's Supper", often called Communion. The main character in this story is our Lord, with the disciples providing the other characters. During the meal our Lord demonstrated to the disciples the attitude and action of a servant and called them to serve and love one another. (See John 13)
Sadly, while they were in the Upper Room, sometime during the meal, the disciples got into a heated argument. Luke records it this way:
"And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest." Luke 22:24
Jesus has to rebuke them and teach them again about the "upside down kingdom of God." To be great they must serve.
When I read this, I wince with discomfort. I imagine that Jesus was very preoccupied with His impending arrest and crucifixion. He was only hours away from all the sorrow, pain and suffering involved in our salvation. He has almost finished the time of mentoring those who will form the original building blocks of His Church. And these men are arguing over which one of them is the greatest! How discouraging.
Recorded in Mark 14 is another meal that took place in the last week of Christ's life. It occurred just a couple of days before the one in the Upper Room. It took place in Bethany at the house of Simon. The main character in this story is the Lord. The disciples are also present along with others. But the person who shares the spotlight with our Lord is not one of the apostles. This person is not worried about how great she is or will be. Her concern is to demonstrate her love and commitment to Jesus. So she brings an expensive container of oil and pours it over our Lord. How encouraging this must have been to our Lord.
What a contrast between these two meals. A pure act of love and worship vs. selfish, proud arguments over personal importance.
Sadly both tendencies toward love and worship and toward selfishness and pride can be found among His followers today. In fact both tendencies can be found in my heart and yours. Dear Lord, have mercy and keep growing us into love and worship.
Luke 22:24 - 30
Sadly, while they were in the Upper Room, sometime during the meal, the disciples got into a heated argument. Luke records it this way:
"And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest." Luke 22:24
Jesus has to rebuke them and teach them again about the "upside down kingdom of God." To be great they must serve.
When I read this, I wince with discomfort. I imagine that Jesus was very preoccupied with His impending arrest and crucifixion. He was only hours away from all the sorrow, pain and suffering involved in our salvation. He has almost finished the time of mentoring those who will form the original building blocks of His Church. And these men are arguing over which one of them is the greatest! How discouraging.
Recorded in Mark 14 is another meal that took place in the last week of Christ's life. It occurred just a couple of days before the one in the Upper Room. It took place in Bethany at the house of Simon. The main character in this story is the Lord. The disciples are also present along with others. But the person who shares the spotlight with our Lord is not one of the apostles. This person is not worried about how great she is or will be. Her concern is to demonstrate her love and commitment to Jesus. So she brings an expensive container of oil and pours it over our Lord. How encouraging this must have been to our Lord.
What a contrast between these two meals. A pure act of love and worship vs. selfish, proud arguments over personal importance.
Sadly both tendencies toward love and worship and toward selfishness and pride can be found among His followers today. In fact both tendencies can be found in my heart and yours. Dear Lord, have mercy and keep growing us into love and worship.
Luke 22:24 - 30
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