The disciples were with Jesus in the upper room of a house, eating the Passover meal which Jesus had just modified, calling the cup “the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (20) He thus fulfilled the prophecy declared by Jeremiah. “The time is coming when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah…” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
However, the disciples did not make the connection at this time. Instead, they were too interested in taking the highest seat of power in what they believed would be Jesus’s earthly kingdom. They quarreled about who was the greatest (24). Perhaps Peter said, “I am the rock Jesus is going to build his temple on” (Matthew 16:18). Of course, Nathan would respond, “I am the purest of all my siblings. Nathan, after all, was a prophet to the king” (1 Kings 1:22-23). They did not know what they were talking about.
Jesus interrupted their dispute by teaching them the principle of his new covenant kingdom. His kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world (25-26), where the rulers are served by others. Most in today’s congresses of the world benefit from ruling at others’ expense. The rulers and judges of Jesus’ kingdom are like the servants of the world’s kingdoms (26).
Jesus served the disciples and others (27). He served them at his new blood covenant Passover by washing their feet (John 13:1-17). Jesus expects his disciples to follow his servant example. Serving Jesus is serving others. Apostle Peter later wrote, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
The disciples were with Jesus in the upper room of a house, eating the Passover meal which Jesus had just modified, calling the cup “the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (20) He thus fulfilled the prophecy declared by Jeremiah. “The time is coming when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah…” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
However, the disciples did not make the connection at this time. Instead, they were too interested in taking the highest seat of power in what they believed would be Jesus’s earthly kingdom. They quarreled about who was the greatest (24). Perhaps Peter said, “I am the rock Jesus is going to build his temple on” (Matthew 16:18). Of course, Nathan would respond, “I am the purest of all my siblings. Nathan, after all, was a prophet to the king” (1 Kings 1:22-23). They did not know what they were talking about.
Jesus interrupted their dispute by teaching them the principle of his new covenant kingdom. His kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world (25-26), where the rulers are served by others. Most in today’s congresses of the world benefit from ruling at others’ expense. The rulers and judges of Jesus’ kingdom are like the servants of the world’s kingdoms (26).
Jesus served the disciples and others (27). He served them at his new blood covenant Passover by washing their feet (John 13:1-17). Jesus expects his disciples to follow his servant example. Serving Jesus is serving others. Apostle Peter later wrote, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
