4/30/20- Luke 22:24-27 Eating or Waiting on Tables?

²⁴Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ²⁷For 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.

    Jesus said the greatest act like those who are still learning- the youngest.  The least are the ones who act like they've learned it all.  One of the most vivid scenes from the movie "Ghandi" depicts this. His wife rebukes him for cleaning their toilet like an Untouchable.  Ghandi points out he learns while he cleans. It is similar to Jesus' washing the disciples' feet- and doubtless Ghandi learned this principle from our Lord (of whom he read extensively).
    In today's church many talk about going where they can be fed, when they really ought to be asking, can I serve in this place.  In our church we call our worship a "worship service" because it is part of our service to our Lord. We come to worship not to be served, but to give Him honor and glory and his worth ("worship" is derived from the old English "worthyship").  So worship is not entertainment, but focused on God. 
     i have often heard folks say, "I learn a lot more by teaching than by sitting in ...(Bible study/Sunday School)."  Those who wait on the tables learn more than those who are eating at the table. Ironically, God pays special attention to those who serve and calls them "the greatest in his kingdom." A servant of Christ is great because they are more concerned about God's glory than their own.  So today, seek to serve.
    
Prayer- Today, Lord, bring people to my table that I may serve them.  Give me grace to serve gracefully for  you and your glory.