I CONFER ON YOU A KINGDOM

Luke 22:24-38 / Keywords 22:29

And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,

 

22:24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But 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. 27 For 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. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[b]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

“That’s enough!” he replied.

Footnotes

b. Luke 22:37 Isaiah 53:12

1. Those who exercise authority and power over others are considered great in the world. The disciples envied worldly rulers and wanted to be like them. However, Jesus told them that truly great people are those who serve others. Jesus is the Son of God, but he used his power to serve the weak, sick, and helpless in his life and ministry. Jesus encouraged his disciples to learn how to serve others by following his example. Jesus’ people do not follow the way of the world, but choose to follow the footsteps of Jesus, for their hope is not in this world, but in the eternal kingdom of God.

 

2. Jesus knew that Satan would shake Peter’s faith when he was arrested. Jesus also knew that Peter would fail to keep his faith. However, Jesus still prayed for Peter that his faith might not fail and that he might strengthen his brothers after turning back from failure. Jesus knows our weakness, but he is praying for us not to fail in our faith. When we fail, we must never despair, but come to God in repentance and receive his forgiveness. Christians are called to engage in a spiritual battle with Satan and to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth. For this, we must depend on God alone, not on material things or people or past experiences.

 

Prayer Lord, help me put my hope in your kingdom and live a life of service. Help me not to fail in faith.

One Word Jesus confers on us a kingdom