Luke 22:21-34 "Disciple Troubles"

We pick up the story in the upper room where we left off last week. Jesus has just celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples. It was the meal known as The Last Supper where He takes the bread and the cup of wine and changes their meaning forever. It was the last Passover and the first Holy Communion.

You would think they would be on such a spiritual high after such an important mountaintop experience—that they’d be just glowing with good vibes and thankful hearts. 

Like all of us last week—after we took a deep dive into what the Lord’s Supper is all about just before we lined up to eat the bread and drink the wine—knowing more about the miracle that was happening. Remember how everyone was just shining with love and joy afterward? How we needed sunglasses to shade our eyes from all that shekinah glory. There was no grumbling. HangTime was just filled with people talking about how thankful they were with tears in their eyes. Remember? It was just last week?!

No. That’s not exactly how it went down. Communion was great but after— I mean, it wasn’t bad—nobody completely lost it. No one got murderous because their onion rings were cold. We were all civil enough. But we didn’t really look like a gathering of people who had just been touched with the real presence of God, either.

And that’s okay. Today’s lesson, which is right after the Last Supper, gives a realistic picture of what it’s going to look like after we have a holy mountaintop experience. I think we actually handled it better than the disciples who were at that original supper with Jesus. We’re going to look at the rest of the story about what happened that night.

This is going to be a good reminder that God didn’t call any of us to follow Jesus because He thought we’d be so dang good at it. We’re not going to be. He invited us to join Him because He knew we were going to need all the grace and forgiveness He can give us.

So, they’re sitting there after that amazing Last Supper Jesus had been so looking forward to eating with His disciples. It got very serious at the end of the meal when He talked about His body and blood being given for them. I’m sure the dinner was festive up to that point, with everyone laughing and having a great time—all of sudden Jesus takes out His last will and testament and reads it to everyone. It got real heavy, really fast. None of them wanted to think about Jesus dying.

And then He makes it worse—He looks up at them and says this…

But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” Luke 22:21-22

Bit of a vibe killer. “I’m going to die, and one of you is going to help make it happen. One of you is a traitor!” Yikes!

Jesus came to earth to die for His people, that part was determined from the beginning—of time. But none of the disciples had to be in on it. That person had a choice, and they made a bad choice.

“Woe to that man!” He doesn’t say who it was. We all know, of course, no one names their kid Judas anymore. 

No one else knows it’s him but I’ll bet he was panicking inside, can you imagine? Probably thought his pounding tell-tale heart was going to give him away. Followers of Jesus are supposed to be forgiving and all that but I’ll bet if Jesus would have said, “Want to tell everyone what you did, Judas?” I’m thinking Peter and Simon the Zealot might have wanted to have a private conversation with Judas outside—one that would require some dental work and serious forgiveness of sins afterward.

But only Jesus and the guy sitting there with blood money in his pocket know who He’s talking about. I wonder if he thought about confessing right there and then—not going through with it. We know he’s wracked with guilt after they haul Jesus away to be killed. We know he goes back to the temple and throws the money at the priests who hired him. We know he hangs himself in grief and despair. We’ll get to the rest of Judas’ story next week.

But for the moment, he gets away with it, Jesus didn’t say who it was, only that one of them was going to betray Him. Luke says they reacted pretty much the way you’d expect them to… 

And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. Luke 22:23

Other Gospel accounts say they even asked Jesus if they were the one. So, they’re accusing each other and wondering if it might be them. Very weird moment. But they make it weirder… 

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. Luke 22:24

So, they start with, “What? One of us is going to betray Jesus?!” But it turns into, “No way it’s me! I’m the best disciple here!”

I imagine Matthew saying, “Do you guys know what I gave up to be a disciple? I had it all—and I just walked away and left it all behind to follow Jesus. I gave up the most, so I’m clearly the greatest.”
Nathaniel reminds them of what Jesus said about him when they met, “He said I was without guile! He never said that about any of you losers!”

James and John were like, “We’re the only ones close enough to Him to get cool nicknames! He calls us the Sons of Thunder! We sound like a rock band!”

Peter speaks up, “He gave me a nickname, too.”

They’re like, “I don’t think He means it as a compliment: Peter the rock: Thick as a rock, stubborn as a rock, sinks like a rock.”
Thomas kind of mutters to himself, “I wish I had a nickname.”
Jesus says under His breath, “Oh, you’ll get one soon enough but I doubt you’ll like it.” 

Doubt you’ll like it? Anyone?

They fought about which of them was the greatest. Can you imagine? Right after the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus just told them He was going to be betrayed and they made it all about themselves. Puffing up their chests. Raising their voices. Proud. Arrogant. 

Time for a lesson in humility… 

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. Luke 22:25-26

He’s telling them to stop acting like pagans. Unbelievers. Everyone in the world thinks if they have a little power, they should lord it over the people under them. If you’re the boss, then you can make everyone do what you want, expect them to kiss up all the time. That’s not the way of Jesus. He flips everything upside down. If you find yourself in a position of power, don’t act like a bigshot. Honor the people beneath you. As a leader, a boss, a master—you serve them. This is a revolutionary way of looking at the world. Jesus continues to explain… 

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 22:27

He’s saying, “Everyone knows the servant waits on the people who are sitting at the table. They bring the food, they pour the wine, they clean up.” So everyone thinks the people being served are “greater” than the servant—that’s not the way of Jesus. In the Gospel of John, this is the moment when Jesus gets up from the table, takes off His robe so He looks like a slave—and starts washing their feet. 

Pretend like you’ve never heard that story before. How would you feel if you were having dinner with your boss, someone you respect, and all of a sudden they knelt down, took off your shoes and socks, and started washing your feet?

I know, that would be super weird because we don’t ever do that, but wouldn’t you also just feel like it was wrong? Like if anything, you should be the one washing their feet?

It wasn’t as weird for them. In Bible days, they wore sandals and their feet got really dirty so it wasn’t uncommon for a servant to have the job of washing guests feet as common hospitality. But the guests or the host would never think to wash the servant’s feet.

In the Gospel of John, Peter says, “No, Lord. You will never wash my feet!” And Jesus says, “Well, if I don’t wash you then you can’t have anything to do with me.” Peter changes his tune, “Fine, then wash my head and the rest of me, too!” Jesus is like, “Calm down big guy, I think I’ll just stick with your feet.”

Jesus is the divine Son of God. He came to earth to serve His people. He humbled Himself, stripped of all His divine power and glory. Entered the world as a helpless baby. Lived the life of a poor man under the control of the Roman government. He was tempted in every way that people are tempted but He didn't sin. And He’s going to die for everyone else’s sin on a gruesome and terrible cross. Yes, He’s going to rise from the dead and go back to heaven, but He’s going to have to die first. So all this is going on the night before that happens. He’s definitely feeling it, and He’s trying to prepare them for a really dark time.

“You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:28-30

They’ve been following Jesus for three years. They’ve seen some things—amazing things and disappointing things. They’ve had to deal with the criticism and scorn of the religious leaders but they stuck by His side—so far. Well, eleven of them have. 

But this is Jesus zooming out a little. Looking at the whole timeline of their lives and the future history of the church—everything His sacrifice and resurrection is going to mean. 

Jesus is going to die and every one of those disciples are going to fail Him. They’re all going to run away and hide, lose their faith. Be filled with doubt (not just Thomas). The next few days are going to be dark. They’re not going to be faithful and stay with Him. Not one of them. Judas was just the first to fail Him, everyone else will too. 

Sounds pretty bleak doesn’t it? But the rest of them are going to come back. They're going to remember Jesus’ invitation to come back to His table. And when they do, they’re going to continue to eat and drink at the Lord’s table in the kingdom of God forever. 

What does it mean that they’ll sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel, though?

Jesus is the promised king, the messiah, the one who will sit on the throne of David over the twelve tribes of Israel. That’s what being the Messiah means. And look what Jesus did—He handed His kingdom over to them. They’re the ones who are going to stay behind with His authority. That’s the great commission. The apostles will build the church and that’s how they will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Judge, like the book of Judges. It means they will lead the kingdom of God on earth.

This is the whole point of the ministry Jesus gives them. They’re going to proclaim the Gospel, plant local congregations, teach people what Jesus taught them, make many, many more disciples, baptize many, many more Christians. They’re going to change the world. They’re going to build the church. That’s what it means to sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

The Twelve disciples represent the new twelve tribes of Israel (they’re going to replace Judas in the first chapter of Acts). 

But the Gospel is also going to Gentiles.

Will there be Jews in the church? Of course. Everyone who recognizes that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah will also be in the kingdom of God. In the Gospel of John it says,

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31

That’s what it means that the disciples will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Jesus was a Jew, He came to the Jews first, He is the Jewish Messiah. But anyone who rejects Him is rejecting God’s plan of salvation. They are rejecting God. There is only one way. I don’t get why Christians don’t understand this. Romans 2:29 says,

“No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.”

No one is saved by keeping the law. Galatians 3:29 says,

“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

No one is saved just because they were born Jewish—they have to belong to Christ, they have to be Christian. Romans 9:6 says,

“Not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.” How much more clear can it be?

I’m saying all this today because of some confused things I’ve heard Christians saying about what’s going on in the Middle East right now. The war in Israel is horrific and tragic. We need to pray for peace but it’s no more of a sign of the apocalypse than any other war. Let’s join St. Paul in Romans 10:1 when he says,

“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” And what he means by that is that they would believe in Jesus.

Because the Gospel is their only path to salvation—just like everyone else. Being part of the church that He established by His life, death, and resurrection. The faith of the apostles that’s been passed down to us is what Jesus is talking about when He tells them they will judge Israel.

There’s only one way to have peace with God, you must believe and trust in Jesus for your salvation. 

Jesus had a lot to say that night. In the other Gospels, especially John, we get a more complete picture of everything He covered in this last minute pep talk. But this next thing was probably the most important thing He said… 

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you (y’all), that he might sift you (y’all) like wheat, but I have prayed for you (just you) that your faith may not fail. And when you (just you) have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 
Luke 22:31-32

Remember in the Book of Job when Satan asked for permission to try and destroy Job’s faith? This is pretty much like that. Satan wants to destroy the disciples.

Greek has a second person plural, pretty much like, “Y’all.” That’s actually what the first two “yous” are saying. “Satan demanded to have y’all, that he might sift y’all like wheat.” He’s talking about all twelve of the disciples. He already got Judas, he wants the rest of them.

What’s really interesting is the second two “yous” are singular. Now Jesus is only referring to Peter (who he calls by his birth name, “Simon,” rather than the nickname He gave him, “Peter.”) Jesus says, “Simon, Simon” (saying the name twice means He’s saying it with tenderness) Satan is going to attack all of you but I have prayed that you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. 

But his faith is going to fail him, so what are we supposed to do with this? Was Jesus’ prayer not effective?

Well, that next line is pure gold. “And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” In other words, “You are going to fail, Simon—and when you do, get back up, turn around, repent, run to your brothers who are going to be dangling in the breeze and give them strength! You’re going to have to be their rock. They’re going to need you.”

Peter understands what Jesus is saying but he’s not having it. He doesn’t see any possible future where he would ever waver in his faith.

Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Luke 22:33

He’s like, “Not me, Lord! I’m ready. I’m solid. I’ll go to prison with you. I’ll fight to the death protecting you!” He’s like Gimli in Lord of The Rings, “You have my axe!”

He’s also like most of us when we say we would die for our spouse or our kids. And most of us probably would, but dying is easier than living. Living for someone is hard. Because it’s in the little moments when our love is actually put to the test. “I’d jump in front of a train for you, take a bullet for you—but if you hurt my widdle feelings, or make me mad, or embarrass me in front of someone—well, all bets are off. Then I’ll probably end up apologizing for being a jerk. It’s a lot easier to die for someone than to live for them.

But Peter was pretty sure he was up to the task. He thinks he’s a rock! Jesus is going to deflate his ego a little… 

Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22:34

He calls him “Peter” this time—which actually doesn’t mean “rock,” it means “little stone.” “No, my stubborn little stone, you’re going to fail me three times before the sunrise.” 

I think we have a tendency to misunderstand this story. Jesus isn’t scolding Peter. This is unbelievably tender mercy. Peter’s absolutely sure he would never deny Jesus, ready to fight and die if he has to. But he is going to fail, and so is everyone else. Jesus told him all this so that when he hears that rooster crow, he’ll know that Jesus wasn’t surprised by what he did. Not only not surprised, he told Peter what to do once it happens.

Remember? Turn again. Repent. Come back. Know that he’s welcome back! This is what Jesus is praying for, this is what Peter’s faith not failing looks like. And when he comes back, he has a very important job—to strengthen his brothers. 

Now, how’s he supposed to do that? By pretending that he’s Peter, The Rock! The one who would never fail Jesus. Be a shining example for all those other losers!

No. He will strengthen them by confessing that he did the same thing they did—only worse. They just ran and hid because they were afraid and had lost hope. Peter actually denies Jesus three times because a servant girl thought she recognized him. 

He will strengthen them by humbling himself and reminding his brothers that Jesus wants them to come back, too. He wants to restore them. It’s His idea. He knew they’d run away.

So many Christians think they have to hide their sin from each other. Pretend like they have it all together. That’s not the way of Jesus. That’s pride. The way of Jesus is humility. Calling sin what it is. Confession. Forgiveness. Forgiving each other. Grace. That’s how the church is supposed to function. We’re not supposed to act like the Pharisees and judge each other, casting shame and condemnation like holier-than-thou jerks. 

Also, mom and dad, apply this at home—don’t hide your sin from your kids. Don’t pretend like everything is perfect—they will eventually find out, and it’s going to be bad if they think you’ve been lying to them. Show them what it looks like to confess and repent. 

The unity the disciples were going to need wasn’t going to come from them pretending they didn’t sin, so they didn’t need Jesus to forgive them. It was going to come from living in His grace together. Our greatness, our identity, doesn’t come from how awesome we are—it comes from how thankful we are to be restored.

You’re not going to be defined by your failures—your sin. Your identity is going to come from the victory Jesus won for you—from Him restoring you after your failures. 

God didn’t call any of us to follow Jesus because He thought we’d be so dang good at it. No matter how often you fail to live out your faith, you are always invited to return in repentance and faith to the One who gave His life for you—it’s a standing invitation for you to come to His table and feast on forgiveness. 

And when we get up from that table, the only thing He expects us to do is serve each other as humbly as we can. To do that, we’re going to need all the grace and forgiveness Jesus can give us—and He has plenty. AMEN.