“Mama said there’d be days like this, there’d be days like this, mama said…” is an old song of the sixties that comes to mind as I read this next passage. 

Jesus’ best trainees, His beloved disciples, who have traveled with him day and night for three years, who should know Jesus’ way of life, His character, and His mission to seek and to save the lost, now argue over who will be the greatest in the Kingdom of God.  They still don’t have a clue about the real trouble that lies ahead. 

The disciples, who have given up their former way of life to follow Jesus, have had a good share of challenges and wary experiences along the way.  But it seems they have settled in to know that no matter what Jesus, Son of God, will get them out of trouble, provide healing, and rescue them.  But now, a few have settled into a “human confidence” that leads to arrogance of association.  Wait, what? 

They are sure that Jesus will take away all the trouble because of who they are.  Pride has seeped into their being merely because of who they associate with but not necessarily with whom they serve.  If fact, the serving attitude is leaving the station in exchange for who is the greatest! Should I dare say, they have become a bit “entitled” in their thinking?  As believers, we don’t argue over being the best or greatest or think that we need to be served instead of serving—do we?

Jesus sets them straight with God’s unchanging Truth.  “A leader is a servant” with great responsibilities for the souls Jesus has come to save and redeem for life eternal.

And by the way, says Jesus, real trouble is coming…a test—beyond what your wildest imaginations, my beloved friends.  Who’s the greatest now?

Luke 22, The Message

Get Ready for Trouble

^24-26 Within minutes they were bickering over who of them would end up the greatest. But Jesus intervened: “Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant.

^27-30 “Who would you rather be: the one who eats the dinner or the one who serves the dinner? You’d rather eat and be served, right? But I’ve taken my place among you as the one who serves. And you’ve stuck with me through thick and thin. Now I confer on you the royal authority my Father conferred on me so you can eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and be strengthened as you take up responsibilities among the congregations of God’s people.

^31-32 “Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.”

³³ Peter said, “Master, I’m ready for anything with you. I’d go to jail for you. I’d die for you!”

³⁴ Jesus said, “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Peter, but before the rooster crows you will have three times denied that you know me.”

³⁵ Then Jesus said, “When I sent you out and told you to travel light, to take only the bare necessities, did you get along all right?”

“Certainly,” they said, “we got along just fine.”

^36-37 He said, “This is different. Get ready for trouble. Look to what you’ll need; there are difficult times ahead. Pawn your coat and get a sword. What was written in Scripture, ‘He was lumped in with the criminals,’ gets its final meaning in me. Everything written about me is now coming to a conclusion.”

³⁸ They said, “Look, Master, two swords!”

But he said, “Enough of that; no more sword talk!”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus had to explain that the disciples were thinking like the unsaved and not like God’s children. The Romans vied for honors and did all they could, legally and illegally, to win promotion and recognition, but they are not the examples for us to follow. As in all things, Jesus is our example, and He has completely reversed the measure of true greatness.  “I have come not to be served, but to serve.”  (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 13:1-17).

Along with the betrayer, Judas, Jesus must also “handle” what Satan is planning to do in Peter!  Peter’s strengths lie in natural leadership with the pride of human confidence who sees a problem and must “fix it” immediately no matter what.  That was Peter then, but Peter later will be transformed and become the servant of God Jesus is longing for him to be. Jesus loves Peter and knows there is so much more potential in Peter.  In the testing of Peter, it will look like the evil one is in control, but evil is limited and still under God’s dominion.  Max Lucado explains this dilemma and helps us understand the power of God over all the demons who are against God:

“This passage gives us a glimpse into an unseen world. It raises many questions, but it also affords many assurances, the chief of which is the chain of command. God is clearly in control, and the devil is on a short leash. Did you notice the verb that followed Satan’s name? Ask. “Satan has asked . . .”

The devil didn’t demand, resolve, or decide. He asked. Just as he requested permission to tempt Job, he requested permission to tempt Simon Peter. Sort of recasts our image of the old snake, doesn’t it? Instead of the mighty Darth Vader of Gloom, a better caricature is a skinny, back-alley punk who acts tough, but ducks fast when God flexes. “Uh, uh . . . I’d . . . uh . . . like to do a number on Peter—that is, if you don’t mind.” The chain of command is clear. Satan does nothing outside of God’s domain, and God uses Satan to advance the cause of his kingdom.”  –Lucado, Study Bible

But what about Judas’ betrayal?  Jesus prayed to God before choosing The Twelve for His will.  We assume then that choosing Judas was within the will of God.  God in His sovereignty had determined that His Son would be betrayed by a friend, but divine foreknowledge does not destroy human responsibility or accountability. Judas made each decision freely and would be judged accordingly, even though He still fulfilled the decree of God.  Peter will choose to deny Jesus of His own free will but will be repentant of this act. Fear led to Peter’s denial.  Greed led to the betrayal of Judas.  Peter repented.  Judas was merely regretful he got caught. Pride, arrogance, and greed destroyed Judas.  Peter was restored, revived, and renewed through forgiveness. 

If mama said “there’d be days like this”, she got this message from Jesus.  “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” –Jesus, John 16:33.  How and with Whom we walk through our troubles on earth will reveal our true faith and trust in our Overcomer!

THE SWORD?

The disciples still didn’t grasp the full understand of what Jesus was saying.  We don’t always get it, either, so we cannot judge.  His followers interpreted the “sword talk” quite literally. (And some still do today!)  Peter’s use of the sword in the garden, later, when Jesus is arrested, is evidence of this. The point Jesus was making was: “You are now moving into a whole new situation. If they arrest Me, they will one day arrest you. If they treat Me like a common criminal, they will do the same to you; so, be prepared!”  (See Isaiah 53:12).

No doubt, the evil one wants to distract, deceive, and ultimately destroy our relationship with God.  We are in a daily battle with the loser who thinks he still has a chance to lure us away because he does accomplishes this often in this world.  But we who believe and follow Jesus are overcomers with Him!  When troubles come, we have “backup” that does not let up!  But we must be ready and prepared.

The Apostle Paul will use the “sword” analogy to teach us how to be prepared for battle against our real enemy.  Notice how Paul teaches with action words that give direction and clarity:

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:11-18, NIV

Don’t miss this! Jesus told Simon Peter, “When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.” 

Our messes become messages of Truth for others!  Troubles will come.  Lessons will be learned.  What we go through and learn can and will help others grow and learn, too, in their times of testing and troubles.  Look forward to it instead of being fearful of it.  God was, is and always will be in control.  He will use everything past, present, and future to keep moving us forward in His love, mercy, and grace.  He’s done it and is still doing it for me—I’m sure He will do it over and over again for you! 

Ah, that reminds me of another song!  Do It Again by Elevation Worship…

Walking around these walls
I thought by now they’d fall
But You have never failed me yet

Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle’s won
For You have never failed me yet

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed me yet

I know the night won’t last
Your word will come to pass
My heart will sing Your praise again

Jesus You’re still enough
Keep me within Your love, oh
My heart will sing Your praise again
(Oh, yes, it will)

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed me yet
Never failed me yet
Oh, oh-oh

I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe I’ll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe I’ll see You do it again…

 Lord,

Continue to cleanse our hearts, remove what does not belong and hinders our relationship with you.  Renew our minds, transform our behaviors as you did with Peter.  Refresh our souls and make us holy before you as only you can do.  Restore the eternal joy of your salvation at work within us that give us peace in good times and through the challenging times on earth.

In Jesus Name, Amen