The most incredible truth!

Today’s ‘Daily Prayer’ New Testament reading from Luke 22 includes one of the most incredible statements ever made.

So much about us revolves around a sense of hierarchy. Who is in charge? How high have I risen in my career? How much influence do I have?

It is probably fair to say that we live in a world which could be represented by a triangle, with the masses on the bottom, and as the triangle narrows upwards, the fewer and fewer have increasingly more power and authority over the ones below. Certainly, many companies and organisations are structured in such a way.

But I want to propose that God, in simplest terms, turns the triangle the other way up!

The most incredible truth is that Jesus, when eating with his disciples, having just spoken about who would betray him, and sharing the bread and wine in the first ever communion, then made what upon a moment of reflection, is the most upside-down statement ever!

Jesus explained that the normal way of things is that the person being served ‘at the table’ is greater than the person serving. But Jesus was very much the one ‘at the table’ - literally. He, being God, is fully and totally deserving and entitled to be served, unquestionably; always. But then he said this: ‘but I am among you as one who serves.’

Jesus, God with us, the one ‘at the table’ entitled to be served, chooses to turn the triangle of human hierarchy upside down, and place himself in the place of the servant.

No-one else in history, no matter how great, powerful or even honourable, has more claim and right to be served than Jesus Christ. Yet He chose to become the servant. If we ponder that for just a moment, it is truly the most inspirational, mind-blowingly awesome truth ever!

Luke 22:24-27

²⁴ A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵ Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶ But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ²⁷ 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.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for the example of servant hearted leadership which you give us.

Help us to emulate your example, and in humility consider others more important than

 ourselves’. (Philippians 2:3)

I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.