Luke 22:21

Luke 22:21 says. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.  While celebrating passover with His disciples, also to become known as the Lord’s Supper or the Last Supper, Jesus said that the one who would betray Him was at the table.  One of Jesus's closest followers, at least in name, was the one who would betray Him.  There are still many people who profess to be close followers of Christ today whose actions betray Him.  Verse twenty-two adds, And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!  Jesus said He was going where it was determined that He had to go, but He still pronounced woe on the one who betrayed Him.  Those who profess to follow Christ but betray Him by their actions will still find themselves in a woeful situation.  Verse twenty-three states, And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.  The disciples began to ask amongst themselves who would do this.  Eleven were unsure, only knowing that it wasn't them, but one, Judas, knew he was the one.  All we can ever be sure of is our own relationship with Jesus Christ, and if anyone is going to betray Him, we need to make certain that it isn't us.  Verse twenty-four adds, And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.  While questioning who would betray Jesus, the disciples then got into an argument about which one of them was the greatest.  They quit thinking about the betrayal and let self pride take over, focusing on their own role in relationship to the other disciples instead of focusing on what was about to happen with Jesus.  We as Christians should never attempt to declare ourselves greater than any other Christian, but should always focus on Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-five says, And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.  Jesus used the example of earthly kings and the fact that those who exercised power on his subjects were called benefactors, even though he is in a position of power over his subjects.  Jesus is the benefactor of all who put their faith in Him, but He is also in authority over them.  Verse twenty-six adds, But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.  Jesus told the disciples that they were not to be as earthly kings, seeking to be in power and to be seen as benefactors to those that they witnessed to.  Jesus tells us if we want to be great in His kingdom that we must see ourselves as the least.  Jesus Himself is the benefactor, and we will always be simply sinners saved by grace, and there is no room for self pride or a feeling of superiority to others in our life.  Verse twenty-seven continues, For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Jesus then asked them who was greater, the one being served at the table or the one who served him.  He said that the one being served was greater, but even though He was greater than all, He came to serve.  We are never to feel superior to other Christians, but we are simply to remain servants of Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-eight declares, Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.  Jesus told the disciples they had been with Him during His temptations, and we must remain close to Him today when the world tempts people to ignore or deny Him. Verse twenty-nine adds, And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;  Just as the disciples were appointed to be a part of God's kingdom and do His work in the world, so are we as followers of Christ.  Verse thirty continues, That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  Like the disciples, if we are faithful to Jesus Christ, one day we will sit at His table.