Then an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest. 25 He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’; 26 but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. 27 For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the one who serves. 28 It is you who have stood by me in my trials; 29 and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 “Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” 33 He said to him, “Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.” 34 But he replied, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me.”
35 He said to them, “When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?” “No, nothing,” they replied. 36 He said to them, “But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, ‘He was counted among the wicked’; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment.” 38 Then they said, “Lord, look, there are two swords here.” But he replied, “It is enough!”
Jesus’ Last Supper discourse is the last time Jesus spoke to his disciples before his death. Jesus was instructing the disciples who were to become the leaders of the nascent Christian Church, the restored Israel. He explained that leadership and authority meant serving others (Lk. 12:37; Jn. 13:1-20) just as he did. The disciples were not presented in a good light as Jesus had to explain to them how they should exercise authority (vv. 24-27). In spite of that, Jesus conferred his Father’s kingdom upon them so that they may share in his glory and, “sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (vv. 28-30). Judging the twelve tribes means having leadership over the reconstituted twelve tribes (Judges 2:16)
Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail like Judas’ faith had failed (Acts 1:16-19) and that Peter would strengthen his brothers after the crucifixion (v. 32). Examples of Peter strengthening the early Church can be found in Acts chapters 1 to 11. Peter’s authority came from Jesus in his last words before his crucifixion, "Once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers (v. 32). No one who follows Jesus will be immune from Satan’s sifting (attacks) which will test the faith and loyalty of every Christians.
Jesus warned his disciples that circumstances were changing, and their opponents would become more hostile to their ministries and the Church. The warning was to all of his followers not just the twelve. The reference to buying a sword (v. 36) was not promoting violence but had a symbolic meaning for tough times ahead. By continuing to follow Jesus’ teaching they will experience tough times just as Jesus experienced persecution.
Almighty God, we praise you and we thank you for the protection you offer to all who love you. Strengthen our faith that we may persevere through our trials and complete the missions you entrust to us. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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