SOAP – Day Four– Luke 22:24-27
Andy Stoddard Andy Stoddard
6 years ago
324904370_640Today is Day Four of our SOAP challenge. I’ve head so much good feedback about this method, that I may continue doing it this way for a while longer. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. Let’s start
S – scripture
Slow down. No matter where you read this at, at work, at home, wherever, take this moment to breathe. Take this moment to let the worries to this moment, the worries of tomorrow, the regrets of the past leave your mind. Listen. Listen to the Word of God. Listen.
Luke 22:24-27:
A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
O – observation
How leadership works in the world
The disciples are fighting about who will be the greatest in the kingdom that is to come. And Jesus basically handles that question in two ways. First, he poses the question, how does leadership work in the world?
It’s about power, prestige, and money. He says, they lord over you. The leaders act better than you, more powerful than you, they use that power to get you to do what they want you to do. You do what they want you to do, because you don’t have any choice. You have to. That’s what the kings of Jesus day did.
How leadership works in the church
Jesus then asked, what about us? How should it be for us?
Instead of power being the driving force of leadership for His people, greatness for us does not come from power, but from service. Jesus tells us, that for us to be truly great in God’s kingdom, we must serve. To truly be great or a leader or respected in God’s kingdom, it’s about how we serve. How we love. How we forgive.
That’s what greatness looks like for us.
How Jesus lived
Jesus asks, in their culture, who would be “seen” as greater? The one “reclining at the table” would basically be the one at the seat of honor. Jesus says, what do I do? I serve you. And yet, who is more honorable that Jesus? Who is greater than Jesus? No one. So, Jesus doesn’t just tell the disciples that they should serve and love, He actually does.
He is the greatest. And He is the servant.
A – application
Am I using my “status” for my good or God’s?
God has you where He has you for a reason. Your friends, your job, your connections, everything. He has you there for a reason. Are you using the place He has you for His purpose in your life, or for you own? Are you using your resources for His good and His purpose, or are you using them only for your power, or position, or appearance.
He tells us that that’s what the world does. And He has told us that as Christians, that’s not what we are supposed to do. How are we using all that God has given us?
Am I serving today as Jesus would have?
Jesus tells us to truly be great for Him, we have to serve. Today, are we doing that? Are we serving others? Are we placing them ahead of ourselves? Are we placing their needs, their stuff ahead of ours? That’s were true greatness, true peace, true purpose comes from. Not from living for ourselves, but for living for God’s purpose.
Jesus modeled that, He lived that, He showed that.
Today, as His followers, do we do the same?
P – prayer
Dear Father, today, help us to use everything that you have given us for your purpose and for your glory. Help us to be truly great in your kingdom. Help us to serve each other, as you served us. Amen.
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