Arguments and betrayals: Luke 22.24–34 (Day 342)

Pray

Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.

Read

2 Chronicles 8 3 John 1 Habakkuk 3 Luke 22

Daily reflection: Luke 22

This long chapter contains most of the lead-up to Jesus' crucifixion, ending just before he is taken before Pilate. It has his betrayal by Judas, the institution of the Lord's Supper, and his arrest. Things are rushing towards their conclusion.

In this context of impending doom, verses 24–30 are almost absurdly out of place – but very human. At the Lord's Supper itself, 'An argument broke out among the disciples as to which one of them should be thought of as the greatest.' When all their attention should have been on Jesus, it was on themselves and a petty struggle for precedence. Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial in the next few verses shows how well he understands the limits of his followers' loyalty in the face of overwhelming fear. They will be tested again in Gethsemane, falling asleep instead of watching with him.

At this most critical moment, the disciples are again found wanting. We like to contrast their fearfulness at this time with their confidence after Pentecost, and there's certainly truth in that; but Spirit-filled disciples sin and make mistakes too, and none of us is perfect. So perhaps this chapter tells us, among many other things, more about God's grace. The squabbling, frightened, self-centred disciples, who let their master down at the point of his greatest need, will 'sit on thrones to rule over the twelve tribes of Israel' (verse 30).

Even at our worst and most disappointing, God doesn't reject or abandon us. We are loved, understood and restored.

Pray

God, thank you for your grace to me. Thank you that even when I let you down in the worst ways, you restore me.