April 4, 2015

“Disputing”

Blessings folk!

We see so much of ourselves in the disciples.

Jesus and the disciples are having a meal.
Their last meal together...He knew it. They did not.
(Not a Passover meal proper. That would be the next day. Jesus would be the sacrificed Lamb of God of the Passover later in the day. This meal “instituted” the new covenant.)

1Co 5:7
Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.

What were the disciples doing?
Disputing over who is the greatest.

Luke 22:24-27
24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.
25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’
26 But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.
27 For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Jesus tells the disciples that the kings of the Gentiles lord over people.
Those in authority carry titles.

Such is not with true believers.

Yet, sadly it is more often the case than not.

I could go through example after example of those in leadership who…

• demand attention
• “lead” be dictate and mandate
• expect strict adherence to personal and/or denominational interpretations of man-made structures
• dismiss those who are not “team players”
• constantly manifest the ways of the world rather than the Life of God
• confuse manipulation and witchcraft with true biblical leadership
• “lord over” rather than serve
• reject the humble heart of God

The balance of the Body of Christ is not much better.

We…

• seek the position, the title, the adulation
• desire to be called the greatest
• turn to man rather than God
• demand a “vision” by man rather than simply walking in the Word of the Lord
• etc. etc.

May we quit disputing.
May we quit all the stuff that we do “in church” and simply be The Church.
The Lord has shown us how.

When will we begin?