KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF LOVE || Lesson 8 

KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF LOVE

[With Reference to the Events Concerning Jesus’ “Passion,” note how Jesus’ love is amazingly displayed throughout and therefore ‘stand in awe of God, the Most High.’]

Lesson Eight

AT THE COENACULUM, name of traditional place of the Last Supper.

Text:  (NIV) Matthew 26:17-35 (Mark 14:12-31; Luke 22:7-38; John 13 & 14)

Events Relating to the Coenaculum (Cont’d):

Dispute Among the Disciples – Luke 22:24-30 – ²⁴Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ²⁷For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ²⁸You are those who have stood by me in my trials. ²⁹And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, ³⁰so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest (v.24) – See previous recorded instances of similar dispute: (a) Luke 9:46-48 – This was one to two years before.

(b) Matthew 18:1-6 – (V.1- At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  Note: Matthew 17:24-27 – ²⁴After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

²⁵“Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes–from their own sons or from others?”

²⁶“From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. ²⁷“But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

It is inferred from Mark’s account that they had been arguing among themselves before they asked Jesus. Mark 9:33-34 – ³³They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” ³⁴But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.)

© Matthew 20:20-28 – This was shortly before Passover.

Application:  Instead of disputing, let us ask the Lord to help us to heed the following.

Colossians 3:1 (AMP) – IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:1 (NLT) – Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

Colossians 3:1-4 (MSG) – 1 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides.  2 Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ–that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.  3 Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life–even though invisible to spectators–is with Christ in God. He is your life.  4 When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too–the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 10:24 – And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

You are those who have stood by me in my trials (Luke 22:28) – This is another instance of Jesus’ love being amazingly displayed.  Note:  Hebrews 2:18 – Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 4:14-15 – ¹⁴Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin.

See Hebrews 5:5-10.

(Luke 22:28-30) – ²⁸You are those who have stood by me in my trials. ²⁹And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, ³⁰so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Application: 2 Timothy 2:11-12a – ¹¹Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; ¹²if we endure, we will also reign with him.  …