When the Servants Feast
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Analyzing both the trials and benefits of radical discipleship, culminating in a glorious feast at the Lord's Table.
Text: Luke 22:28-30
Date: 08/24/2025, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 207
Description:
After clearly establishing that true Kingdom Greatness is to be found in servanthood, Jesus now reminds His disciples of both the trials and the benefits of radical discipleship. He changes His tone from the sharp rebuke of the previous section to commend His disciples' faithfulness in abiding with Him through the trials and temptations of His ministry. But He emphasizes that just as the rewards of radical discipleship will be found in Him, the intense persecution of the church will be because of Him as well. But the benefits are profound. Returning to the imagery of the Lord's table, He assures His disciples that they will join Him in a glorious Kingdom Feast. But in the meantime He includes them in both the authority and the work of the Kingdom. We will analyze all of these deep thoughts and bring them together as we form a new image in our minds-- a gathering of Jesus with His beloved disciples, both in the "here and now" and the "not yet"; trying to visualize the glory of the fellowship, the love and the unity that exists at the Lord's Table-- when the servants feast!
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I. Introduction, Luke 12:35-37.
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 22:28-30.
A. Context
B. The trials and rewards of discipleship.
1. From rebuke to commendation, vs. 28.
a. Looking at the words.
i. "You are those", John 6:66.
ii. "Stayed with me", John 15:4.
iii. The temptations.
1) Trials and temptations, Luke 4:13, 11:4.
2) Noticing the pronouns.
3) The constant pressure, Luke 4:13; John 6:70; Matt. 16:23.
b. A dramatic call to radical discipleship.
i. It's all about Christ.
ii. A shift in satan's focus, Rev. 12:4,5,12,13,17.
iii. Digging deeper.
1) Abiding in Christ, John 15:4-6.
2) Becoming One with Christ, Luke 22:19-20; John 6:54.
3) Becoming the body of Christ, John 17:20-21; Eph. 4:15-16.
iv. Evil hates the Head of the body, John 15:18,20.
c. Summary, Luke 9:23.
2. Heirs to the Kingdom, vs. 29.
a. Looking at the words.
i. The meaning of "assign", Psa. 105:9; Heb. 9:16.
ii. The meaning of "kingdom", Gen. 2:15.
b. Understanding the covenant.
i. Only One King, Dan. 7:14; Rev. 12:5.
ii. Many Kingdom-dwellers, Eph. 2:19-20.
3. The table of the Lord, vs. 30.
a. Sitting on thrones.
i. Looking at the words.
1) The authority and responsibility of a throne, 1Kings 10:18,20.
2) A forensic "judging".
ii. Judging the tribes of Israel.
1) A complex answer, 1Cor. 6:2.
2) A logical approach.
a) Fulfilling God's plan of redemption.
b) The need for servants to continue the initiative.
c) A symbolic "Israel", Gal. 6:16; Rom. 10:12.
d) Judges of responsibility and work, Ex. 18:13; Rom. 8:29.
b. Servants at the table.
i. The Kingdom Feast.
1) In the "not yet", Rev. 19:6-7.
2) In the "here and now".
ii. The Servant Feast.
1) Remembering the Greatness of Servanthood, Luke 22:27; Mark 10:45.
2) Feasting with our Lord.
III. Application
IV. Conclusion, Rev. 3:20-22; John 11:25-26.
