22:21-23
Immediately after the ceremony, Jesus spoke of his betrayal. One of the Twelve, one who was at the table, would betray him. (21) His hand was with Jesus on the table, meaning he was one of the Twelve sharing the meal with Jesus. Since eating with a person, and especially the Passover, would indicate friendship and fellowship, it shows the betrayal to be especially grievous and bitter.
Psalm 41:9 was a prophecy of this. It says “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me”. We know this is true because Jesus said so, as recorded in John 13:38.
Jesus also said “the Son of Man goes as it has been determined”, meaning his death was preordained by God. Peter pointed this out in his first sermon. He said that Jesus’ death was according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. (Acts 2:23) It was not just an unfortunate turn of events. In eternity, before the world was created and man place on it, God determined that it would happen. Revelation 13:8 speaks of those whose names were written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
It was also determined that Jesus would be betrayed. In his prayer in John 17, Jesus said “I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled”. (John 17:12) But, the one who betrayed him into that death was not excused. He would face the consequence of his betrayal. Jesus said “woe to that man”. (22) And, of course, all are responsible who reject Jesus.
The words of Jesus caused the disciples to question each other as to who the traitor would be. They did not know who it was.
Who is the Greatest?
22:24-28
This discussion seems to have gone off the rails, though, because the disciples then began to discuss who was the greatest. This was not the first time the issue came up. Luke 9:46 shows us the disciples arguing over who was the greatest. Interestingly, that discussion also occurred right after Jesus foretold his death. Matthew 20:20-28 records the mother of James and John asking for Jesus to appoint them to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus in his kingdom. Mark 10:35-45 records James and John doing this. My guess is that they looked back at this argument later with shame because they had spent precious last minutes with Jesus on arguing from pride.
We do the same thing today. Christians jockey for prominent positions in their church, preachers tout the number of follower they have on social media and how expensive their buildings are. We consider ourselves to be better Christians than others.
Jesus stopped the discussion at the supper by telling them the difference between leaders in the secular world and those in the kingdom. He said the kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over their people. They live luxuriously but consider themselves benefactors of their subjects. It makes me think of the leader of North Korea with all of his wealth and privilege, demanding to be thought of reverently by his subjects, many of whom are starving to death.
But, in the kingdom, Jesus said the greatest is to act as the youngest (or least) and leaders are those who serve others. (25-26) In that society, elders were reverenced. Young people were to listen, learn, and do what they were told. So, Jesus was saying, if you are a leader, do the jobs no one else wants to do, let others go first, and do things for others as opposed to being served. Jesus said even he, the true lord, was among them as one who serves. (27) He demonstrated this by washing the feet of his disciples. (John 13) Since he, the truly great one, served, his disciples should also serve others.
Notice that Jesus assumed his greatness. Philippians 2:6 says he was equal to God the Father. As God, he was and is great, the greatest. He does not deny his greatness. That is why he said “but I” in referring to his service. (27)
Yet, Jesus did tell them they would be rewarded. They would take part in his kingdom. The table or banquet is symbolic of all the blessings of Jesus’ kingdom. They would also sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. The 12 tribes here are symbolic of all the people of God. The disciples will be rewarded with a special place of privilege in the kingdom. Revelation 21:14 pictures this as their 12 names written on the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem. They indeed were the foundation of the church. (Ephesians 2:20).
Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
22:31-34
Jesus knew that Judas would betray him. And he had told the disciples that one of them would. But, in this passage, he gave an even more chilling prophesy. He turned to Peter, the leader of the disciples, and said Satan had demanded to have the disciples, so that he might sift them like wheat.(31)
Satan was not satisfied with taking over Judas. He wanted all of the disciples to see if they would desert Jesus. He wanted to sift them like wheat, alluding to the threshing of wheat, where the farmer tossed the wheat into the wind and the chaff blew away. In this first sentence, in verse 31, the word “you” is plural. Satan did not want to test only Simon, but all of the disciples.
Notice, too, that Jesus does not call Peter “Simon”, even though he had given him that name. Simon means rock. But Jesus will not call him the rock, knowing that Simon will in fact deny and desert him for a time.
This brings to mind the story of Job, doesn’t it? In that story, Satan came to God and said Job only feared God because God gave him great material wealth and protection. Satan demanded permission to attack him. And God allowed it. (Job 1) So, Satan is at it again, seeking to hurt those who love the Lord to test their faithfulness.
By the way, Satan still seeks to destroy believers. Peter wrote that Satan is our adversary, prowling around like a lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
Jesus knew Peter would fall. That is why Jesus told Peter he would deny him. But, he prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail and that he would return to follow Jesus. (31) Here, Jesus used the singular form of “you”. And, he gave Peter an instruction. He said, when you have turned again, strengthen you brothers. (32)
Peter, of course, protested and said he would go to prison and death for Jesus. He was confident in himself rather than in Christ. He was over-confident. But Jesus gave him a sign. He said the rooster would not crow until Peter had denied three times that he knew Jesus. (34)
Peter, in his own strength failed. But, in Jesus, who prayed for him, Peter would not be destroyed. He failed but he did not fall into unbelief.
A lesson is here for all of us: don’t get cocky! Do not think you have made it, that you are mature and invincible, for then you are actually at you most vulnerable.
On the other hand, do not give up and concede defeat. Jesus still intercedes for us, as he interceded for Peter. (Romans 8:34)
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