Not So With You

In the pursuit of greatness, people are drawn to displays of pomp as a symbol of power and prestige. These displays of fashionable clothes, impressive modes of travel, and an abundance of self-confidence convey to the world that here is a winner. However, Jesus Christ introduced a radically different understanding of greatness. Jesus declared: “For 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” (Luke 22:27).

Absalom, David’s oldest son, had been brought back to Jerusalem after three years of exile and reinstated to his place. One would think that Absalom would be glad to be home and recognized by the king, but that was not the case. Absalom did not return with a humble attitude, but with the complete opposite. What is so strange is that Absalom was heir to the throne, but he never learned the value of delayed gratification. To wait for the time for his father to hand the throne to him was to wait an entire lifetime. He could not wait; he would not wait. He would make it happen in his time.

The reinstated prince took steps to develop his image. He needed a rebrand. “After this, Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him” (2 Samuel 15:1). The only purpose for all of this was to make Absalom look important and to impress the people. Chariots had no functional purpose in Jerusalem. But Absalom looked great parading with an escort of fifty men running ahead of him. 

“There is no problem with your complaint,” (2 Samuel 15:3).  Absalom would assure each person. “It’s a shame you won’t receive justice.” Why? Because “there is no man designated by the king to hear you”. The king clearly does not care enough about you to provide someone to see that your case is heard and dealt with. The point of all this was to provide a solution to everyone’s problem. Of course, Absalom was the solution!

Absalom had made some kind of bargain with the Lord while he was in exile. If the Lord would bring him back to Jerusalem and he was reinstated as the king’s son, then he would make an offering to the Lord (2 Samuel 15:7-8).

Absalom would be no one’s servant. He could only see himself as king. His outward expressions of submission to his father were insincere. If Absalom made a vow in Geshur, it was certainly not to serve the Lord.  Absalom requests permission to go to Hebron to make an offering to the Lord, and David grants it to him. Absalom was fomenting a revolt under David’s nose, and David did not see it. (2 Samuel 15:9).

Absalom’s methods had worked. He had won the people and stolen one of David’s chief advisors, Ahithophel, “And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing” 2 Samuel 15:12). This is the way of Absalom. Now listen to the way of Jesus. How different are the ways of Absalom from the ways of Jesus?

Luke 22:24-27 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But 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. For 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.