Upside Down Thinking

Introduction

The stage is set. The meal has been eaten. The wine has been drunk. This is the last meal that Jesus will share with his disciples. Jesus has used this final meal as a time to reaffirm his plan and purpose. This is the last conversation that Jesus has with his disciples. He has affirmed his desire to eat this meal with them again after the kingdom begins. He has predicted his betrayal and that one of them will betray him. Now in this upper room, the accusations begin to fly. The disciples begin to question each other. Each wonders if the one they are reclining with will be the one who betrays Jesus. Mistrust fills the room. Accusations come out of their mouths and with each accusation comes a boast.

The boasts initially take on the tone of denial—“I’ll never betray Jesus.” But it isn’t long before the boasts take on a tone of trumpeting one’s loyalty. “I’m better than the rest of you. Remember that day when Jesus and I spent time together and the rest of you weren’t there? Remember I am the one who set up this room?” And with each boast, Jesus becomes less and less the central focus of their time together. More and more the disciples are turning to each other and away from Jesus. If it weren’t such an important occasion, it would almost be humorous. As the disciples defend themselves and boast about their position with Jesus, Jesus gets lost and ignored in the conversation. He no longer matters. What really matters is being able to claim an important place in the pecking order. What really matters is to be acknowledged as being very important in this discipleship stuff.

Jesus recaptures the moment by explaining to the disciples that leadership in his kingdom is not by worldly standards. Leaders in the worldly sense exercise their authority and power for their own benefit, but not so with his leaders. Kingdom leaders lead through serving others. Kingdom leaders act like they are the youngest rather than the oldest. In Jesus’s day, the youngest had no power. The youngest couldn’t expect or demand his way. Kingdom leaders act in the same way. Those who sit at the table are greater than those who serve the table, but Jesus says he is one who sits at the table and serves. John’s gospel reveals the reality of this truth in John 13 in which Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. Jesus commends his disciples as future leaders and just as they have stood beside him during his ministry, God now will give to them a kingdom in which they will be the leaders. This is the last point that Jesus wants his disciples to understand. As leaders their role is to serve. This is the last teaching time that Jesus will have with his disciples and what he wants them to learn is powerful and challenging. It is also a lesson that we are to learn—we are called to serve. Let’s learn from this final episode.

Last Lessons

Jesus knows that his disciples are in a difficult situation. He knows exactly what is going to happen not only to himself but to them. They are unaware of the trials and the challenges which face them. Jesus has mentioned betrayal and in the midst of denial and accusation, the conversation quickly turns to who is the greatest disciple. The point is lost. In their pride they fail to realize that they are on uncertain ground. Jesus has tried to warn them about Jerusalem and death. They haven’t listened. Jesus regains their attention by directing his next comments to Simon Peter. And while the words are said to Peter we should realize that all the disciples are listening and would have included themselves in this conversation. Notice that Jesus calls him Simon. Up until now, Peter has been the name most often used by Jesus. This demonstrates how important what he is getting ready to say is. By calling Simon, Jesus knows that the other disciples will pay attention.

“Satan has asked to sift you like wheat.” Like Job in Job 1–2, Satan wants to destroy another of God’s men. Judas has already given himself over to Satan. Satan wants Peter too. Using an agricultural image may not relate to our sensibilities. In those days one of the ways wheat was sifted was to place it in a fairly large flat plate-like surface which was filled with holes. This sieve would be used to separate the wheat from the chaff. The wheat would be shaken vigorously in order to accomplish the task. In our culture we might say that Satan wants to pick Simon to pieces or to tear him apart piece by piece. Satan wants Simon. Satan wants to destroy Simon.

Do you realize that Satan still attacks God’s people? Nothing pleases Satan more than to tear God’s people apart piece by piece. What Peter was going to experience would not be pleasant. Peter boasts in verse 33 that he will not fail the test, but the truth is he did. A man who had been with Jesus for three years, a man who had seen Jesus in action, a man who knew the truth—still failed. Neither must we boast about our determination. If we must boast, boast in Jesus. Satan wants us as well. And when we think we are strongest is when we are most vulnerable.

But notice how Jesus answers this dilemma. Satan wants Peter, but Jesus has prayed for Peter. In fact, Jesus offers a word of assurance: “When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Peter is going to fail, but it will not be a complete and total failure. Jesus has interceded on Peter’s behalf and the day will come when fully restored Peter will strengthen his fellow disciples.

Prayer is powerful. In the spiritual battles which take place in our lives, prayer is the solution. Prayer doesn’t mean that we will not fail, but it does protect so that we do not fail completely and totally. Peter was confident he would not fail. Jesus knew that his failure did not have to be the last word. Jesus knew because of his intercession, that Peter would turn back and could once again resume a place of strength among his fellow disciples.

The Bible says in Hebrews 7:25 that Jesus is alive for the express purpose of interceding for us. Just as he did for Peter, so Jesus does for us all. If we must boast, boast in Jesus who intercedes for us. If we must boast, boast in Jesus who serves. Satan will go after us, but Jesus intercedes for us so that we will not fail completely. Peter places his confidence in his own ability. He will fail.

Jesus then in verses 35–38 reminds the disciples of how things have changed. When they went out preaching and teaching, they lacked nothing. People treated them well and responded eagerly to their message. But things have changed. Now they must prepare for a different situation. Where they needed before, now they need to be completely prepared for what is going to take place. It will not be easy or pleasant. Is Jesus being literal in verse 36? Are the disciples to buy swords? No. This is figurative and as I have described the situation has changed from favorable responses from people to negative responses. The disciples need to be prepared for these changes.

The disciples take Jesus’s words literally. They proudly hold up two swords to which Jesus answers “that is enough.” He is not saying they have enough swords, but is instead putting an end to the conversation. In this last teaching time, the disciples have completely misunderstood.

Lesson to Learn

In this last teaching session, these are the lessons Jesus has tried to teach them: They are to be servants. Satan is a formidable opponent who wants to see each one destroyed. Jesus has prayed for them and by his prayer they will not fail completely. The disciples need to be prepared to be treated the same way Jesus is.

These lessons are our lessons as well. What is particularly sad about this scene is the number of times the disciples miss Jesus’s point or act as if what Jesus is saying is no big deal. Eating a meal with their master has gone well until the pronouncement of betrayal and then they lose their focus. Jesus warns about Satanic attacks. They act as if it is no big deal. He intercedes, but they act as if it isn’t necessary. He tells them to prepare to be treated like he will be treated, and they prepare for battle. Jesus is speaking on one level and they are hearing on another.

Almost from the beginning, Luke has said that listening to Jesus is what is important. In Luke 4:21, Jesus announces his arrival as fulfillment of scripture which has been read in their hearing. In Luke 9:35, the instruction is to listen to Jesus; in Luke 9:44, listen carefully to what I am about to tell you; and here at the very end of this earthly ministry the disciples are not listening. Are you listening? Jesus knew this would be the last time he would be able to speak to his disciples and here is what he chose to tell them. Serve; the evil one is out to get you; pray for protection; don’t be surprised when you are mistreated. Are you listening?

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.