Introduction:

Luke 22:14-20 – Jesus had just given the Lord’s Supper.

Luke 22:21-23 – Christ had just informed them that one of the disciples would betray him.

John 13:2-17 – Jesus had just finished instructing them concerning humility in the washing of feet.

What time is it?

a. It is the night before Christ will be crucified the next morning at 9:00 AM, our time.

b. Luke 22:31-34 – Jesus informs Peter than before the cock crows, Peter will deny Christ three times. Peter denies this, but in less than 12 hours the prophecy of Christ will come to pass.

I. Verse 24 – the disciples strive among themselves, trying to determine among themselves which of them is the greatest.

A. This is strife among the disciples.

1. The word "strife" means contention, or even the love of contending.

2. It is interesting to note that this strife occurs shortly after the Lord instituted the Lord’s Supper.

3. Many believe the church went right out after the Lord’s Supper was instituted and didn’t speak to anybody so they would not lose the thought of the Lord’s Supper.

4. The truth is: the disciples lost the thought of the Lord’s Supper before they left the upper room.

B. The question of who is greatest came about because of Luke 22:21-23.

1. Jesus has told them the betrayer is with them at the table.

2. As the disciples began to enquire among themselves about whom the betrayer is; they naturally dismissed some because they are great.

3. It seems the disciples are not trying to be great, or to announce themselves as great.

4. They are attempting to discern who is the greatest, but they are using human understanding.

5. Jesus stops their natural reasoning’s to explain what true greatness is.

C. This is not the first time.

1. Mark 9:34 – As they traveled toward Capernaum, the disciples discuss among themselves who is the greatest. Verse 35-37 – Christ explains, by setting a child in their midst, that the servant is greatest of all.

a. Note verse 38 and 39 concerning those casting out devils but did not follow Christ.

b. This question was asked immediately following Christ’s statement of Mark 9:35-37.

c. This question reveals the disciples did not understand the answer Christ gave them.

d. Jesus patiently instructed his disciples to not forbid them.

2. Luke 9:46-48 records this same discussion.

a. This passage records exactly the same discussion as Mark 9:34-39.

b. Both Mark and Luke record that the disciples faced the issue of "Who is the Greatest?" before.

3. In Luke 22, Jesus patiently explains there is no time to be wasted in trying to determine who is the greatest.

a. It is time only to be about the Father’s business.

b. It is also time for us to stop quarrelling about various things, and be about our Father’s business.

D. It is amazing that the disciples go through the same discussion at this point in time, not having learned the lesson of being a servant.

1. We need to be aware of old problems resurfacing.

2. We carry the memory of all former things – good and bad.

3. May God help us to keep our minds firm on the things of God, to know where we are in time, and to know the work before us.

II. The disciples are not thinking of what they ought to be thinking.

A. I am not trying to fault the disciples, but use them for examples of how far astray our thinking often is from where it ought to be.

1. God has given us the example of the disciples so we will understand what we ought to do.

2. The disciples will be judged for their actions and inactions, and we will too.

B. The time is just before the crucifixion of Christ.

1. Just as the disciples could not spiritually determine the greatest, they could not determine the time.

2. Luke 22:31-34 – Peter was determined he would go to prison or die for Christ, but Christ knew in less than 12 hours, Peter would deny him three times.

3. Luke 22:39-40 – they all went to the Mount of Olives, where Jesus instructed his disciples to watch and pray.

a. The disciples went to sleep while Christ was agonizing just a stone’s throw away.

b. It would be just a few minutes until the mob comes for Christ, but the disciples sleep.

c. What are we doing when the return of the Lord is so very near?

d. What are we doing when our death is so near?

e. I Thessalonians 5:1-9 – Let us not sleep because the end is near.

f. May God help us see the end is near so we will be more alert and not taken up by all the things the world has to offer.

C. We must be aware of the times in which we live.

1. I Timothy 4:1-6 – We can recognize we are living in the last days because these false religions teach things that are unnatural – following evil spirits – teaching not to marry – teaching not to eat certain foods – openly lying, etc.

2. II Timothy 3:1- 8 – Here is a list of things that is happening in the last days.

a. We need to be aware these things point us to the soon return of Christ.

b. These things should not be a lure to sin, but a warning of the soon coming judgment of God.

c. Verse 3 speaks of unnatural affection.

1) 1/14/2004 – Iraqi homicide (suicide) bomber (mother) leaves two babies behind.

2) Homosexual marriages in Vermont and Massachusetts, and California.

3) Sexual "freedoms" and promiscuity.

3. Matthew 24:32-34 – The fig tree represents the nation of Israel.

a. When Israel becomes a nation, look up, because our redemption draws nigh.

b. Verse 34 – There are at least two things in this verse. The fulfillment of the first proves the second will be fulfilled.

1) The generation living and hearing Christ (and this generation are Jews) will not die until Christ comes in judgment – this happened in 70 AD when Titus overran Jerusalem. There is a more complete description of this event in Luke 21:12-33.

2) The generation living at the time Israel is made a nation will not die before the Lord returns in judgment.

4. Luke 17:28-33 – As it was in the days of Lot, so it shall be when Jesus returns.

a. Homosexuality was open and accepted in that day, as it is today.

b. Verse 31 – Today is the day to not be so overly concerned and anxious about the things of this world, because this world is passing away.

c. Verse 32 – Remember Lot’s wife – What a warning to us!

d. Verse 33 is placed there on purpose – will we think and heed the warning from God?

III. Who is the greatest disciple? See verse 24.

A. We should not be thinking about who is the greatest.

1. Jesus is the greatest and he is serving the disciples.

2. He has served them the Passover, and instituted the Lord’s Supper.

B. We should be thinking about our service.

1. We often think the most important person is the busiest person, but that is not necessarily so.

2. The most important person is the servant of all.

3. Ecclesiastes 5:9 – "Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field."

4. The king may think he is more important than the farmer, but when the farmer quits, even the king will have nothing to eat.

IV. Verse 35-38.

A. We need adequate preparation to be faithful today.

1. A purse is a moneybag.

2. A script is a leather bag or wallet, where a traveler carries provisions.

3. A sword is a knife, whether large or small. A sword has also been related as being the Word of God.

4. Garments are clothes.

5. Christ orders his disciples to sell their clothes and buy a sword, but don’t worry about having too much.

6. The disciples declare they have two swords, and Christ states, "It is enough."