On Line Bible Study - For the Week September 24-30, 2012

Lesson 555   Passion 4

Remember to access the "Gospel Parallels" for these discussions of the Supper and Passion.  In this lesson we are looking at the idea of "service".  In the Gospel Parallels go to the third column - the Gospel of Luke, and scroll down to Luke 22:24 ("Position in the Coming Kingdom").  You can harmonize Matthew and Mark to this text in Luke by clicking on the small blue and purple icon next to the heading.  In John, however, scroll down to John 13:1.

We have already discussed this passage in Matthew and Mark; it occurs well before the supper.  In  Luke 22:24-31, however, the discussion about who is greatest occurs during the meal.  Notice they are questioning among themselves who would betray Jesus (Luke 22:23) - and in the next breath they are arguing (Luke tells it this way: a dispute arose among them...) about which of them was considered to be 'greatest'.

Betrayal can come in different forms.  In our previous lesson we posed the question: What exactly does it mean to betray Christ?  Jesus has just taken the bread and the cup, given thanks for it, shared it with his disciples, and told them to do this in remembrance of me.  Notice the intertwining of 'eucharist' (that is, thanksgiving), and betrayal.  Jesus proclaims the new covenant while in the same breath he acknowledges: The hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.  While it is safe to assume he is referring to Judas, it occurs to us that there are many 'betraying hands' on the table with his own.

While the details are quite different, note the theme in the washing of the disciples' feet.  Once again, the juxtaposition of the betrayer (John 13:2  The devil had already entered the heart of Judas Iscariot ...) and the act of service.  Peter's refusal to allow Jesus to serve him is, in some sense of the word, a 

"betrayal" of Jesus' message.  As you read the passage in John, notice that once Jesus has finished with the washing and declared them to be "clean" - he qualifies that declaration: You are not all clean, he says, for he knew who was to betray him.

A comparison of Luke and John is interesting.

Luke:  

Luke:22:14ff    Disciples recline with Jesus at Supper -
                     Prayers of Eucharist - Body given; Blood poured out.
Luke 22:21-23   Acknowledgement of Betrayer - Disciples wonder who it is

Luke 22:24     Dispute among disciples as to who is the greatest

Luke 22:26      Jesus tells them: The greatest is the one who serves

Luke 22:31ff    Jesus acknowledges "Satan has asked to sift" the disciples

Luke 22:32     Jesus has prayed for Simon - that your faith may not fail...

Luke 22:33     Simon tells Jesus: I am ready to go with you to prison and to death...

Luke 22:34     Jesus tells Peter: You will deny three times today that you know me

John:

John 13:2   The evening meal is in progress

            The devil already prompted Judas to betray Jesus

John 13:5-6   Jesus washes the disciples' feet.

John 13:8    Peter resists Jesus' service

John 13:11   Jesus acknowledges not all are clean

John 13:12-17   Jesus explains he has set the example of service

John 13:18-21   Jesus acknowledges the presence of the betrayer

John 13:22-25   Disciples ask: Who is it?

John 13:26-30   Judas dips the bread and leaves the meal

John 13:31-35   Jesus gives the 'new command' - to love as he has loved

John 13:36-37   Peter tells Jesus: I will lay down my life for you...

John 13:38       Jesus tells Peter: You will disown me three times ...

While all these elements are contained in Matthew and Mark, Peter's insistence of faithfulness and Jesus' prediction of denial come after the meal and while enroute to the Mount of Olives.  The question of who is 'greatest' occurs in Matthew and Mark prior to the meal.

In Matthew the 'Last Supper' is contained in 13 verses (Matthew 26:17-29).  Mark contains the supper within just 9 verses (Mark 14:17-25).  Luke's Gospel has 25 verses (Luke 22:14-38).  John takes 5 chapters!

Luke and John present us with a very complex meal - one of joy, teaching, love, service, exuberant conversation, seasoned by the presence of the 'betrayer', promises made ... followed by the prediction of promises broken - this has all the dynamics of a Thanksgiving Meal not unlike ones you might experience in your own homes with your own loved ones.  Sitting around the table are those you love, and those who have disappointed you.  There may be those vying for your attention, wanting to be thought of as "the greatest".

As you prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas Celebrations - and the next time you receive Holy Communion - think about this supper in Luke and John!  Who is at the table?  Who is missing that should be there?  And who are you willing to serve?