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Do you feel tired of been a Christian? May be you feel you have not fully grasped what it means to follow Jesus. The rejection, pressure you face from the world around you seems overwhelming. Do you lead a ministry area in JPC and at this time you feel tired and you are wondering if you will be able to soldier on? Can I say welcome to church today because these are exactly the issues the disciples of Jesus were experiencing and Jesus fully understood their weakness and lack of understanding and set out to help them.

So, Jesus’ ministry is coming to an end and the ultimate reason he came to the world was about to be fulfilled. He was about to be crucified for our sake and that is what the Easter celebration reminds us of. The Easter period reminds us of our sins forgiven and resurrection reminds of the victory we have over death and sin. But Easter also reminds us the cost of following and serving Jesus. The world that did not spare our Saviour Jesus will not in any way spare us.

1. The True Greatness is Serving

Luke 22.24-27:

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

It is sad that Jesus was talking about his death, and so close to it and His disciples, his closest allies were far from it. They were arguing among themselves who will take what positions in Christ’s kingdom. Clearly the disciples thought the establishment of the kingdom is near and were contending for positions. It’s similar in a work environment where there is a new boss, everyone will be trying to position themselves to be in the inner caucus. Jesus rebuked them by drawing their attention to what true greatness looks like. Jesus made clear distinction between how his kingdom functions and how the world functions. Jesus did that by comparing what they are doing with what the Gentiles are doing. Gentiles are regarded as those who are not God’s people. Jesus said their rulers are authoritarians. They lord it over their people because they see themselves as benefactors. They like to receive credit for what they have done. He made a clear link between leadership and service. It is important to note that Jesus does not say there are to be no leaders at all rather he says that leaders are to serve.

Greatness is defined as service not authority. It is not found in the power to take or exercise control but in the ability to give and share Jesus’ point is that you should not live like that. It shall not be so among you. So our attitude should be in contrast. Jesus used the analogy of young and old. In the ancient world it was accepted that age gave privileges. The youngest was by definition the lowliest so in the same vain the leader must be as one who serves. Leaders are not to be something they are not but to lead without pretence of being more than they are. Jesus did explain that with his own life especially with what is about to happen to him. He is about to go to the cross to die not because of what he has done but because of our sins. He chose to be numbered among the transgressors for our own sake because of the love he has for us. So we lower ourselves and serve because Jesus lowered himself to the cross in serving us Jesus said I am among you as one who serves. Jesus wanted his disciples to learn from him. Jesus is God but chose to come down to our level and save us from our sins. He left his position to serve. And that is what Jesus expected from his disciples and that is what he expects from us.

For us we may be serving but just doing that for recognition, wanting to people to praise us and have high regard for us. We want to be seen, we want to be regarded as great, best: oh when I lead the bible study it is always better than everyone else. I am a better leader, better bible scholar, I do it better than anyone else. We need to repent and serve only to give Jesus Glory.

2. Why following Jesus is worth it

Luke 22.28-30:

You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel

Jesus knew how far his disciples had come in following him, they have forgone families, careers to follow him but he also knew how tough the journey ahead will be. He speaks of them as those who have continued in my trials meaning they have served faithfully with him throughout the hardships Jesus ministry involved. They had not shunned the difficult or lowly place. But sharing in the trials of Jesus will make us question, sometimes, ‘Is it worth it? Would it be better to avoid sharing in the trials of Jesus? I am losing friends, people are laughing at me or at worst what other Christians face in the part of the world that is so anti gospel- death, human rights taken away.

Jesus is saying you will in due course enjoy a place in my kingdom with banquet with me. The royal state they will enjoy is rather expressed in their sitting on the thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus speaks all this in the language of covenant which makes it certain because that’s what the end of his ministry will institute. For us serving God will not be easy, it will not be a walk in the park. May be you have been rejected and discouraged by friends or colleagues because you follow Jesus or maybe you think you can’t enjoy all the freedom your friends are enjoying - going to parties, getting drunk on Friday nights, not been able to fulfil your sexual desire -waiting until you are married. Or maybe you are a bit older like me and you feel you can’t falsify your tax return. You feel the pressure, you are thinking of giving up. Can I tell you today not to, it will be worth it at the end. We will be rewarded. Just as Jesus promised his disciples a place in his kingdom we will also enjoy a banquet of full redemption with him.

3. Jesus’ Promise of Protection

Luke 22.31-34:

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”  Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Many of us here would have Sunday names and there is a way your parent will call your name you would know that you are in trouble. Here Jesus addressed Peter by his other name and he called him twice: Simon, Simon. This shows the seriousness of what Jesus wanted to say to Peter. Victor! Victor! Jesus is God that’s why he knew what Satan is planning to do against his disciples. He knows if you get the shepherd then the sheep will scatter but he also has a plan on how to protect his own people. Simon, Simon Satan has demanded to have you that he might sift you like wheat. Peter will be an object of satanic attack. Why Peter? Perhaps because he has been the leader of the disciples so if I don’t get Jesus then let me try their leader Peter. So by exposing Peter the rest of the disciples will lose heart and scatter. Luke 22.31 said that he might sift you like wheat. This is like telling someone I will take you apart. Satan wants to bring Peter to ruin and leave him in pieces, exposing his lack of faithfulness. But the warning came with a promise:

But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail

Jesus came to Peter’s defence, I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail. What a good thing to know. It’s like knowing the full support of your father when you are going for a difficult exam. I have your backing son. Even if you fail, don’t worry I will support you all the way. I will keep you through the trials. Peter has the full backing of Jesus. Just note that Jesus didn’t stop Satan but rather he promised Peter of his support by praying for him. Jesus knew that Peter will fail but Peter’s faith is not dependent on that test but rather on Jesus. On what Jesus will go on to do by dying on the cross for Peter and all of us. He knows our failure and still extends his hand graciously to the believer who trusts him. However, Peter seemed not to get it. He is still relying on his strength. (Luke 22.33):

Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”

So Jesus gave him a pointer to be able to realise immediately when it happens (Luke 22.34):

Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

So Peter this is how you know when it happens. The rooster will not crow this day until you deny me three times. But he is still thinks that he will survive attacks by the enemy by his own strengths. Peter’s failure will be a failure of nerves not a heart denial of Jesus. Like many of us who have failed to stand up for the gospel in schools or at work. Remember Jesus has our backing. Do not be afraid. (Luke 22.33):

Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”

The only hope Peter or us have is that we will be upheld by Jesus. Peter will go to prison, Peter will be executed but that will be later in the book of Acts. But for now, Jesus will let Peter fail – only it will be a failure of nerves, not a heart denial of Jesus. Like many of us who have failed to stand up for the gospel in schools or at work. And here Jesus showed it by telling Peter that he has prayed for him. Which means I will back you up, I will protect, I will support you through it all.

Do you shrink back when asked about your faith? Some may ask you “I hope you are not among those that thinks that Christianity is the only true religion?” May be your response might be to smile and let it pass or to deny your faith entirely? Or at work you know if you make your stand clear on big issues that surround our society your chances of progressing will be slim and easiest thing to do will be o shrink back. Don’t let anyone know you are Christian. For youths you might be called all sorts of names because of your stance- But Just like Peter Jesus will not leave us on our own he has given the Holy Spirit. It will not be easy. We need to draw strength from the Holy Spirit not from self-determination or inner strength. And that leads me to my last point:

4. Facing Persecution during Evangelism

Luke 22.35-38:

And he said to them, when I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.  For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfilment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

As Jesus begins to change the disciples practice by going over God’s previous provision in the past, reminding them of their past missions. Jesus asks if the disciples lacked anything when they went out on evangelism without purse, bag, or sandals and their reply was Nothing. But now things will be different but not just because Jesus will no longer be with them but because the world that kill Jesus, counted him among the transgressors, brutally murdered him on the cross will not spare his followers. Jesus is beginning to prepare them for the tasks ahead, get ready friends. The idea of money bag, knapsack is not to take money or save as much money as possible or take your time to prepare but to be ready, to be on your feet. Jesus noticed that they have not fully grasped the reason he called them. They have just finished arguing who was the greatest and Jesus is telling them to be ready for what is to come: persecution. Luke 22.36b:

And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.

Here Jesus is now giving them full idea of what will happen when they go out to preach: it will be war-like, because sword signifies war. Was Jesus telling them to buy sword and fight back whenever they are persecuted? No! Jesus was not talking about physical war. It’s like telling someone that is about to go into a difficult meeting to put on his boxing Gloves. You are not saying to the person to go and have physical fight in the meeting but to be ready for what will likely happen. Few verses down Peter drew out his sword and cut off someone’s ear but Jesus rebuked him. Jesus is saying here the road will not be easy, the authorities will put you in prison, will kill you, get ready, and be prepared. Few years ago a woman was butchered in the northern part of Nigeria because she was preaching the gospel publicly. May be it is not as brutal as this in the UK but we do face opposition ranging from those that are forced to wed same sex couple or they lose their jobs and Doctors and Pharmacists been forced to give morning after pill. And finally they showed their ignorance again (Luke 22.38):

And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

The first time I read this I started thinking was Jesus really saying that they just need two swords? No it cannot be since he was not really talking about physical swords but was using swords figuratively.Two things I think Jesus was saying there:

1. How can you be saying two swords, don’t you understand what I am saying? That’s enough. Enough of that. Way of rebuke
2. Jesus might be saying I can’t say more any longer. It is enough for now. it is not making sense now but don’t worry when the time comes it will make sense then

I think it is the second of those. Just like the disciples we don’t really understand many things but when the time is right we will understand it. It will make sense. In conclusion, what we have seen this evening is how demanding and difficult it will be to follow Jesus, but we have also seen Jesus promise to protect us. He has given us the Holy Spirit so let’s keep going and not grow faint. The end will really be worth it.