In these verses we once more join Jesus and his disciples as they sit at the table where they’ve just enjoyed the Passover meal together. Jesus’ warning about a betrayer among them surprisingly turns into a dispute among the Twelve about which of them is the greatest. Jesus’ gentle, patient and gracious response calls them to embrace a radically different way — one that stands in sharp contrast to the way of this world. As he prepares to go to the cross, he readies them for the responsibilities he is entrusting to them in his in-breaking kingdom. We too, are invited to embrace this radically different way — the way of serving others — just like Jesus who has served us by laying down his life for us.
