Right Attitudes When We Break Bread

When Jesus met with his disciples for the first breaking of bread, he said these words to them. I want you to turn with me to Luke chapter 22. Luke 22 verse 24.

While they were sitting at the Lord's table, they knew this is the last night that we are going to be with Jesus, and still there was an argument among them, verse 24, as to who is the greatest. So just think of that, Jesus is going to be crucified, they know his time is over, and they are sitting there deciding who is going to take over. Now he is going, who is going to be the leader.

That's really amazing. And then Jesus had to correct them, saying in the world there are kings, who when the king is dying, they say who is going to be the next king. But verse 26, it must not be like this with you.

Your desire must not be to see who is the greatest, but who is the servant. You know that's what he said. Then he said who is greater, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves.

And I am among you as the one who serves. So our frame of mind when we come to the Lord's table is very, very important. That we don't sit here judging other people, and we don't think who is the greatest and who is not.

But the spirit of Christ who said I am among you as the one who serves, and to value even those who are not so perfect. You know this is a bunch of imperfect disciples. I think these disciples were worse than everybody sitting here.

Because they were fighting who is the greatest. Are you sitting here fighting with anybody for you are the greatest? I don't think so. These people were worse than all of us.

But yet the Lord says to them, you have stood by me in my trials. It's amazing. Listen to this.

Just as my father granted me a kingdom, I'm granting you. And one day you will sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. Is that how you talk to people who are fighting among themselves who is the greatest? What I see there is that Jesus had tremendous hope for them.

I know these people are like this now. But in a few weeks the Holy Spirit will come. And I believe these people are sincere.

They may not have light. That's why they are arguing about who is the greatest and getting offended so easily. But once the Holy Spirit has come, it will sort them all out.

And so I believe that one day you will sit with me in my kingdom. So it's wonderful to, when we come around the Lord's table, to have that type of attitude towards one another. And not to be suspicious.

Okay, people are a little weak and they have such thoughts. But Lord, you're going to make us one day share with you in your kingdom. And every one of these people who are sincerely seeking to live for you will be there.

And all the 12, I don't know, but they were all equally wholehearted. But he says all 12 of you will sit, verse 30, on thrones judging Israel. So it's good to have that spirit when we come together here.

Not to be suspicious of anyone. Not to look down on anyone. Not to think who is the greatest and who is the least.

What is the fault in that brother and what is the fault in that sister? At the breaking of bread, that is not the time. In fact, that should never be our business. Because Jesus said in another instance, in John's Gospel, chapter 16.

That is also at the Lord's table. At the Lord's table, he said this. John 16 was spoken at the Lord's table.

John 16. When I go away, John 16, verse 7. Middle. If I go away, the helper, the Holy Spirit will come.

And this is at the Lord's table he's talking to these people who are discussing about who is the greatest. When he comes, he will convict of sin and righteousness and judgment. That's his business.

To convict people of sin. It's not my business. My business is to share the word, to love people.

I'm not called here to go around convicting people of sin. This is your sin and this is your sin. That's the Holy Spirit's business.

And I must mind my own business. Like they say, mind your own business. That's not your business.

The Holy Spirit, he will convict the world of sin. Let him do that. But our duty is, meanwhile, just to love one another and be patient with each other.

And I see that spirit of Christ with all this conflict going on among them as to who is the greatest. See the wonderful way he speaks to them. And he tells them, I want you to know, John 17, 23.

This is at the Last Supper. That I pray the Father that these people will know one thing. John 17, 23, the last part.

That you love them just as much as you love me. And so, Father, I desire that you give them, they may see my glory with me. What a tremendous attitude he has to people who are still discussing as to who is the greatest.

So what I see there is, he had faith that they'll get over it. This is a temporary time and they're having this problem. So what has come to me is we must have faith for one another.

Okay, you see a problem there. Let's have faith that he'll get over it. He's going through a problem right now.

Have faith that he'll get over it. And so, we find that it actually happened on the Day of Pentecost. And the Holy Spirit came.

That they did get over it. There's a beautiful verse. I often ask children this question.

Who stood up and preached on the Day of Pentecost? And I think most of them will get the wrong answer. Do you know? But I'll tell you. Acts 2.14, the answer is there.

Peter, taking his stand with the leaven. Twelve people stood up. Peter was just the voice.

Twelve people said, Peter, we are behind you. That spirit of who's greater, are you greater, I'm greater, was completely gone. He stood there and eleven people said, Peter, you speak, but we are 100% behind you.

Have we come to that place? Do we support one another? That's what we are testifying in the breaking of bread. Lord, I want to do that. I see imperfection there, imperfection here, imperfection in myself.

But these are not perfect people on the Day of Pentecost. We know that later on Peter was afraid to eat with the Gentiles and Paul had to correct him. So they were not perfect people, but the Lord just blessed their ministry.

So I want to say to all of you who are here, bunch of imperfect people, including me, the Lord loves you. And he has great hope for you, even if you don't have any hope for yourself. So let's come to the Lord's table with that faith that I have somebody in heaven who has hope that I'm going to make it through.

And one day share the kingdom with him, not only with him, but with all the rest of us here. God bless you.