I CONFER ON YOU A KINGDOM

Passage: Luke 22:24-38

Key verse: 29

NIV

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.(A) 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,(B) and the one who rules like the one who serves.(C) 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.(D) 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom,(E) just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom(F) and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.(G)

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked(H) to sift all of you as wheat.(I) 32 But I have prayed for you,(J) Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”(K)

33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”(L)

34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals,(M) did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[a];(N) and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

“That’s enough!” he replied.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 22:37 Isaiah 53:12
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Who Is the Greatest?

24 (A)A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 (B)And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles (C)exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 (D)But not so with you. Rather, let (E)the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, (F)one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But (G)I am among you as the one who serves.

28 “You are those who have stayed with me (H)in my trials, 29 and (I)I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 (J)that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and (K)sit on thrones judging (L)the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, (M)Satan demanded to have you,[a] (N)that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but (O)I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, (P)strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter[b] said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both (Q)to prison and (R)to death.” 34 (S)Jesus[c] said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Scripture Must Be Fulfilled in Jesus

35 And he said to them, (T)“When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that (U)this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: (V)‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For (W)what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two (X)swords.” And he said to them, (Y)“It is enough.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 22:31 The Greek word for you (twice in this verse) is plural; in verse 32, all four instances are singular
  2. Luke 22:33 Greek He
  3. Luke 22:34 Greek He
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Those who exercise authority and power over others are considered great in the world. The disciples envied worldly rulers and wanted to be like them. However, Jesus told them that truly great people are those who serve others. Jesus is the Son of God, but he used his power to serve the weak, sick, and helpless in his life and ministry. Jesus encouraged his disciples to learn how to serve others by following his example. Jesus’ people do not follow the way of the world, but choose to follow the footsteps of Jesus, for their hope is not in this world, but in the eternal kingdom of God.

Jesus knew that Satan would shake Peter’s faith when he was arrested. Jesus also knew that Peter would fail to keep his faith. However, Jesus still prayed for Peter that his faith might not fail and that he might strengthen his brothers after turning back from failure. Jesus knows our weakness, but he is praying for us not to fail in our faith. When we fail, we must never despair, but come to God in repentance and receive his forgiveness. Christians are called to engage in a spiritual battle with Satan and to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth. For this, we must depend on God alone, not on material things or people or past experiences.

Prayer: Lord, help me put my hope in your kingdom and live a life of service. Help me not to fail in faith.

One Word: Jesus confers on us a kingdom