Maundy Thursday: Greatness & Power in the Upside-Down Kingdom

As we continue our journey through Luke’s gospel we find ourselves today at the Last Supper. Jesus is gathered with his closest friends for this final meal just before he’s about to be betrayed, arrested, beaten, and crucified. Through Luke’s telling we get yet again another glimpse into the upside-down kingdom.

WHO WILL BE THE GREATEST?

“When the time came Jesus reclined at the table, the disciples with him. 

‘I’ve deeply desired to share this Passover feast with you before my  suffering – and I won’t eat it again until its fulfillment in the kingdom of God.’ 

Then taking a cup he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and share it among you. I tell you I won’t drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God is come.’

Taking bread he broke it and gave to them saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ Likewise taking the cup after supper he said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But look – the hand of the one who betrays me is here with mine at the table! The Son of Man goes as has been ordained but alas for that man who betrays him.’ 

Then they all began to squabble among themselves who it was who might betray him and after that they fought about which of them would be the greatest. But Jesus made them stop, explaining that “the kings of  the Gentiles lord it over their people and their power-mongers pretend to be philanthropists. That’s not the way things will be with you – the great among you shall be as the youngest and your leaders as those who serve. Who’s greater, after all, the master of the house or his servant? It’s the master of course – and yet I’ve been among you as one who serves.” Luke 22:14-27 [Straus, Michael. The New Testament, Second Edition: A 21st Century Translation (p. 195-196). Wipf and Stock Publishers. Kindle Edition.]

Jesus has just finished telling his friends how much he’s desired to share this meal with them before he suffers. How his body, like the bread, will be given for them, and his blood, like the wine, will be poured out for them as a new covenant. And then he reveals that one of them, his closest friends, will betray him. They respond by bickering over which one of them will betray him and then devolving into a debate about who among them will be called the greatest. 

Jesus takes the opportunity to remind them of the upside-down nature of the kingdom of God – that the last will be first, that in God’s kingdom the leaders are the ones who serve just as he has done and is doing. 

Later that night we find Jesus and a few of his closest disciples in a garden. Jesus spends time in agonizing prayer while his friends fall asleep although he asked them to stay awake to keep watch and pray with him. After a little while Judas shows up to betray Jesus and turn him over to be arrested.

SHOULD WE STRIKE NOW WITH OUR SWORDS?

“Then seeing what was about to happen his disciples said, ‘Lord, should we strike now with our swords?’ But before Jesus could answer one of them attacked and sliced off the right ear of the High Priest’s top servant. Yet Jesus said, “Hold back!” Then he touched the man’s ear and healed it.” Luke 22:49-51 [Straus, Michael. The New Testament, Second Edition: A 21st Century Translation (p. 197). Wipf and Stock Publishers. Kindle Edition.]

When his friends see what’s about to take place they jump into action asking Jesus if they should draw their swords to defend him. Before Jesus has time to answer one of them draws his sword and strikes the ear of the servant of one of the men there to arrest him. But Jesus intervenes, healing the man and telling his friends to stand down and not interfere with what was about to happen. 

Here, Jesus once again demonstrates the upside-down nature of the kingdom of God. He goes peacefully into the hands of his accusers, refusing to take up arms against those who would do him harm, even going as far as to heal one of them. Showing his followers that he’s willing to  lay down his power and authority in service of the well-being of others. Showing them the way that leads to life, to salvation and peace.