Lesson 2608

(Lesson 2608)(02-11-19) Luke 22:21-30
    “But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

   In today’s quote, Jesus, though not identifying Judas, by name, related that the man who would betray him was there among them.
    He also told His apostles that, among them, there was to be no one greater than the others, and that they all were to be servants. First to God’s will, then to each other.
    It is important to note that Jesus told the twelve that He had appointed to them “a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” That statement seems to establish that the main purpose of the original twelve apostles was to teach and be the judges of the Jews. This makes perfect sense considering that Jesus personally appointed Saul (Paul) to be the apostle and teacher to the Gentiles. This distinction is important because, as we will read in future lessons, there were arguments between Paul and the others about what should be required of the Gentiles compared to what was required of the Jews, so far as the church is concerned.~