Luke 22:24-38
Day 1: When Greatness Becomes a Distraction
Passage: Luke 22:24–27
“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.” (v. 24)
Reflection:
Right in the middle of one of the most sacred moments in Jesus’ life—His final meal before the cross—the disciples get into a childish argument about who’s the best. It feels absurd. But isn’t this just like us? Even in our holiest moments, pride creeps in. We want to be seen. We want to matter. We want to win.
Jesus patiently redirects their ambition, not by crushing it, but by redefining it. “Let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.” True greatness, in His kingdom, isn’t found in being above others—it’s found in stooping low.
Questions to Ponder:
• Where do I see pride showing up in subtle ways in my life—comparison, envy, defensiveness?
• What would it look like today to be “as one who serves”?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You didn’t come to be served, but to serve. Teach me Your way of humility. Help me value people over position, and service over status.
Day 2: Pride’s Hidden Root
Passage: Luke 22:31–34
“Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” (v. 33)
Reflection:
Peter’s boldness feels admirable. But Jesus sees something deeper: not strength, but fragility. Peter’s pride is a mask for his insecurity—and Satan is ready to exploit it. Pride often grows in the soil of fear and self-doubt. We boast because we’re scared we’re not enough.
Jesus doesn’t shame Peter. He prays for him. And He knows Peter’s failure is coming. But He also sees Peter’s restoration. “When you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus is never surprised by our weakness. He’s already made provision for it.
Questions to Ponder:
• Is my confidence rooted in Christ… or in my own strength?
• Where might God be calling me to be honest about my weakness?
Prayer:
Father, expose the pride that hides my fear and insecurity. Teach me to rest, not in my promises to You, but in Your promises to me.
Day 3: The Path to Humility
Passage: Luke 22:35–38
“Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.” (v. 36)
Reflection:
This is one of those verses that makes us scratch our heads. Why does Jesus tell them to get swords right after teaching servant-leadership?
The clue is in verse 37: “He was numbered with the transgressors.” The disciples still don’t get it. They’re arming up for battle when Jesus is preparing to suffer. Luke keeps showing us that even the best followers of Jesus are confused, afraid, and often wrong. That’s the point: Jesus died not just for obvious sinners, but for proud, mistaken, self-reliant disciples.
Questions to Ponder:
• Where have I misunderstood what it means to follow Jesus?
• Am I still clinging to worldly ways of power or control?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for being numbered among the transgressors—for me. Help me surrender worldly ways and follow You with a humble, trusting heart.
Day 4: What Pride Can’t See
Passage: Luke 22:28–30
“You are those who have stayed with me in my trials… and I assign to you a kingdom.” (vv. 28–29)
Reflection:
Jesus gives a remarkable promise to His disciples: a seat at His table in the kingdom. But they don’t yet grasp the road to that throne goes through a cross. Pride makes us obsessed with the reward while blind to the cost. But Jesus still gives the promise.
Even though they’re proud and confused, Jesus affirms their faithfulness. Grace doesn’t wait for perfect disciples—it meets us in our stumbling.
Questions to Ponder:
• What kingdom reward am I most focused on—and is it eclipsing the call to daily self-denial?
• How does Jesus’s grace toward weak disciples shape how I view my own failures?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for assigning me a place in Your kingdom. Help me walk the road of the cross with honesty, humility, and hope.
Day 5: Deep Roots, Lasting Fruit
Passage: John 15:5 (in light of Luke 22:24–38)
“I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Reflection:
Jesus told His disciples to “abide in Him” because only then would they bear fruit. Pride produces fast growth with shallow roots. It impresses, but it doesn’t endure. Humility doesn’t look flashy, but it digs deep. It clings to Christ. It confesses need. And in time, it bears the lasting fruit of endurance, service, and joy.
The invitation of this whole passage is to trade self-confidence for Christ-dependence. Only then will we be shaped into the kinds of people Jesus can use: not the proud, but the humble.
Questions to Ponder:
• Am I relying on Jesus daily—or just occasionally?
• What would “digging deep” into Christ look like in this season of my life?
Prayer:
Jesus, root me in You. Let me draw strength from Your grace, not from my ability. Grow in me the fruit that lasts. I want to live humbly, love well, and serve like You.