Monday 25 August 2025
"For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves." (v. 27)
Background
This section is set within the Last Supper (Jesus' final meal with his 12 disciples before his crucifixion). The dispute among the 12 (v. 24) may be about importance within their current fellowship; or about their role in God's coming kingdom.
Either way, Jesus’ perspective is radical and unequivocal: for himself and all who journey with him, leadership and authority are defined as humble service – like being a waiter at table. This sets the community of Jesus over and against all worldly models of leadership, which are about power over people and the acquisition of titles cloaking greed and acquisitiveness.
Jesus, knowing he is about to die, affirms the disciples for having stood loyally alongside him as he pioneered a ministry of loving service, revealing the true character of God.
Verses 28-29 can easily be misunderstood. They do not portray God's coming kingdom as some sort of reversal of roles for Jesus and the 12 disciples. Rather, they spell out Jesus’ conviction that God's kingdom will continue and deepen what he has taught and lived on earth – which has self-giving, humble service at its heart. This is guaranteed by the humble and loving servant-God making a covenant with Jesus, for him to rule in the kingdom, as a servant. He will surely wait at table in the heavenly feast.
Jesus in turn pledges by a covenant to his disciples that their role in the coming kingdom will be to eat and drink at his table (as they now eat and drink in his presence at the Last Supper); and they will be servant leaders in the universal community of believers (which is the meaning of "judging the 12 tribes of Israel" - v. 30).
The implication is that in the period of the coming Church (which prepares for and prefigures the kingdom that is to come), they will similarly be leaders by virtue of self-giving, humble and patient service.
To Ponder:
- The Church, unlike heaven, is not perfect. All its leaders (ordained and lay) are called to a servant role. In your experience, how does a Christian community effectively challenge its leaders' temptation to take on airs and graces or to exert undue power over people in their pastoral care, especially the vulnerable? Are there sufficient checks and balances in place in your view?
- In everyday life, in the home, at work and in community groups, Christian people take on governance, management and leadership roles. How does a congregation best support them in putting Christian values into practice in secular settings? How are any of us helped to resist the allure of ‘being in charge’ and feeling self-important?
Bible notes author: The Revd David Deeks
David is a Methodist supernumerary presbyter, living in Bristol.