Read Luke 22:24-30. The Passover concluded with singing a hymn, the Hallel or Psalms 113-118. Having done this, Jesus and the Twelve, less Judas, leave and go out to the Mount of Olives. On the way, Jesus teaches about and discusses several topics. One of these topics was an issue that carried over from earlier in the Passover, namely, which one of the disciples was the greatest.
1. What did Jesus tell His disciple that the one who was the greatest and the leader among them had to do?
He told them that the one who was the greatest had to become like the youngest and the leader, like the servant.
2. What did He mean by this answer?
He is telling them that the one who would rule must first be a servant.
3. What did Jesus tell His disciples about the coming kingdom?
He told them there would be a kingdom, one that was granted to Him by the Father and that they would be rulers in that kingdom over the twelve tribes (the nation) of Israel.
4. What did Jesus tell Peter that Satan had requested? What does this mean?
a. He said that Satan had demanded to sift the disciples like wheat.
b. Whatever else it means, it indicates that Satan wanted to attack them in some way.
5. Was Satan’s demand denied him? What did our Lord tell Peter His response to the demand was?
a. It seems that Satan’s demand or request was not denied and that he did attack Peter and the rest.
b. Our Lord’s response was that He had prayed for Peter, in particular, that during this attack, Peter’s faith would not fail. He also told him to help strengthen his brothers after he had returned.
Read Matthew 26:30-35, Mark 14:26-31, Luke 22:32-38 & John 13:37-38. In His discussion with His disciples, Jesus told them that He would be arrested and that they would be scattered.
6. What was Peter’s reaction? Do you think he truly believed he would be willing to die with our Lord?
a. Peter’s reaction was that He would follow Jesus even to his own death.
b. While we cannot know if Peter was simply uttering empty words and knew it, I am convinced that he meant every word he spoke at that point. The problem is that while you and I can genuinely intend to do the right thing, we are all too weak, and our old nature will take over. What we intend, often as not, is not accomplished. Peter had overestimated his strength of character at this point.
Read Luke 22:35-38 & John 13:31-36. Luke and John both record things our Lord said to His disciple that Matthew and Mark omit.
7. Why do you think Jesus told His disciples in Luke 22:36, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one?”
While verse 36 of Luke 22 has been interpreted that believers were, following our Lord’s crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, to arm themselves against physical attacks of their enemies, this is most probably not the correct interpretation. The teaching of the New Testament is overwhelmingly to turn the other cheek and not resist those who persecute you. It certainly was not so the disciples could defend Jesus. One must note that He does stop Peter’s attempt to do so and heals the servant whom Peter wounded.
The answer seems to be related to the following statement Jesus makes recorded in verse 37 where He says, “...this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” They were to acquire a sword so that the Scripture might be fulfilled that He was numbered with the transgressors. Peaceful citizens in Jerusalem did not need to go armed. Thieves did arm themselves in order to subdue their victims. It seems Jesus had His disciples acquire two swords so that He would be apprehended by the Roman authorities, armed as would be expected of a criminal or a rebel against Rome. Having found two swords, Jesus tells them that that was enough. If they were to acquire them for protection, two would not be enough; however, if they were to have them for the purpose of “symbolically” being armed, it was sufficient.
8. John records that Jesus told His disciples, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him...” To what do you think He was referring, and how would God be glorified in Him?
a. Jesus was referring to His coming sacrificial death.
b. God would be glorified in the love and obedience of His servant, our Lord, up to and through His suffering and death, taking on Himself the sin of the whole human race.
9. The Old Testament commanded a person to love his neighbor. So why is the commandment Jesus gave His disciples to love one another a new commandment?
It is new in the standard of love we are to achieve. The Old Testament standard was that we were to love others as we love ourselves. The New Testament infinitely raises that standard and tells us we are to love as our Lord loved us.
The Applications:
What are the applications of these passages to our lives today? Identify as many as you are able.
1. Luke 22:31 is one of those verses that terrify me, and Luke 22:32 brings me immeasurable comfort. Our Lord is speaking to Peter and the rest of the disciples who were present since the Greek pronoun for “you” is plural in verse 31. He tells them that Satan has begged permission to sift them as if they were wheat in a sieve. While Satan has no power over a believer unless God grants him the leave to act, it is clear that God allowed Satan his request at this point with these disciples much as He allowed Satan to attack Job in the trial of his faith. Satan would attack them and toss them around spiritually just as wheat mixed with the chaff was thrown into the air. The chaff, being lighter, was blown away by the breeze, but the heavier wheat fell back into the sieve and through the holes in it to a container below. Our Lord does not tell Peter that He prevented this. He is telling Peter this testing is coming upon them from Satan.
As it was with these eleven disciples, so too it happens to us. God allows our adversary Satan to attack us, to try us. He allows him to toss us about, to sift us like wheat. That terrifies me, for I do not want this at all. The prospect that God will allow Satan to attack me as he did the disciples and as he did Job is very frightening, to say the least. The comfort is found in the next verse where Jesus, speaking just to Peter now, for, in the Greek text, the pronouns are now singular, says, “but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail...” The test was coming, God has allowed what Satan requested, but our Lord Himself has also requested something of the Father. He has asked for Peter that his faith not fail. This request also has been granted for Jesus tells Peter that when (not if!) he turns back to strengthen his brothers.
The test is coming. It will be bad for Satan will toss them about. Peter will sin, for our Lord tells him he will deny Him three times. But although he stumbles, he will not fall, for he will repent, turn back to God, and be used by Him to strengthen others.
As it was with Peter, so too it is for us. When Satan requests and gains leave to toss us about, there is another, more powerful, more beloved of God who also intercedes for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 8:34 states, “who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” There is another as well, just as powerful who prays for us for Romans 8:26 states, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Just as our Lord prayed for Peter individually, so He prays for you and me.
Whatever God allows Satan to do in his attack upon us, He also promises us that He will work it out for our good. Again Chapter 8 of Romans, verse 28: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”