A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. (Luke 22:24-27)If it's not unbelievable enough that this debate about being the greatest keeps coming up between the disciples, it's even more crazy that it comes here after Jesus has just explained the Lord's supper. If I was Jesus I'd be furious "did you not hear what I was just saying about the new covenant in my blood? That's kind of a big deal!"
He's not furious. He patiently explains again. Greatness in god's kingdom looks completely different to the world. To the disciples, and us, greatness looks like how many servants you have serving you. Jesus says that greatness looks more like how many people you serve. We think that greatness is other people being willing to give their life for you, Jesus says greatness is giving your life out of love for others. The greatest person who ever lived is about to lay his life down for these not-great people who are busy arguing about their own greatness!
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