Gareth's Sabattical

The Greatness of Servanthood

Luke 22:24–30

Imagine the setting: Jesus has just broken bread with His disciples. He's instituted the Lord’s Supper, a sacred moment of remembrance and sacrifice. And yet, immediately afterward, a quarrel breaks out—not about how to serve or about the meaning of His words, but about who is the greatest.

This moment reveals something deeply human. Even in the presence of the suffering Savior, our pride still longs for recognition. But Jesus doesn’t rebuke them with anger—He redirects their ambition toward something holy.

A Word of Thanks for the Gift of Sabbatical

Before we start looking at today’s Gospel I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude for the extraordinary gift of a sabbatical. To be entrusted with such time and space is not something I take lightly, nor is it something I receive as a mere professional courtesy. A sabbatical is far more than a holiday or a pause from duties; it is an invitation into rest, renewal, and rediscovery. It is a chance to listen afresh to God, to my own heart, and to the needs of the community to which I am called. For all of this, and for the trust that has been extended to me, I say thank you.

A sabbatical is, in essence, a recognition of humanity. In granting it, you have acknowledged that ministry, like any vocation, requires energy, imagination, and resilience. These cannot be endlessly poured out without being replenished. You have given me time to breathe more deeply, to read more widely, and to pray with greater stillness. You have shown me that you care not only about the tasks I perform, but also about the person I am. That recognition is profoundly affirming, and I receive it with humility and joy.

Thank you for the kindness and generosity that lies behind this decision. A sabbatical is not cost-free for a community or an institution. It requires rearrangement of duties, the willingness of others to step forward, and the patience to accept that routines will shift. I am deeply conscious that my colleagues and co-leaders have taken on additional responsibilities so that I might step away for a season. Their willingness to do so is a gift of love and solidarity. I am grateful to each person who has said “yes” to filling the gaps, carrying the extra load, or offering encouragement along the way.

During this sabbatical I have had space to explore interests and questions that are difficult to address in the busyness of daily life. I’ve travelled, spending some time with the brothers at the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfirld, stayed with the Anglican Centre in Rome, studied with Cuddesdon, an Anglican College in Oxford, have been able to read slowly, not just for sermon preparation but for nourishment of the soul. I have been able to spend time in prayer and reflection without glancing at the clock.

I have been able to attend retreats, explore new places, and encounter God in unexpected ways. These are treasures that will not only bless me but, I hope, will overflow into the ministry I share with you. Thank you for giving me the freedom to pursue them. I’ve travelled to places such as Vigo, Barcelona, Valencia, Toulon, Florence, Rome, Algero.

I am also grateful for the way my sabbatical has affirmed the importance of balance. Ministry can so easily tilt toward relentless activity, the “always on” rhythm that leaves little space for rest. Yet the pattern of creation itself is one of work and Sabbath. By stepping aside for this time, I have been reminded that rest is not an indulgence but an essential rhythm of life. The sabbatical has given me permission to stop, to let go, to trust that the world continues to turn even when I am not busy. This is a liberating truth, and one I will carry with me into the future.

Thank you, too, for recognising the need for imagination. A sabbatical is not simply about recovery; it is about possibility. It has given me room to ask questions such as: What might the next chapter of ministry look like? Where is God calling us as a community? How can I grow in wisdom, compassion, and skill so that I may serve more faithfully? These are not questions that can be answered in haste. They require time, quiet, and openness. Your gift of sabbatical has provided exactly that environment. I have written

I also wish to thank you for the encouragement that has surrounded me during this time. Many have asked through Julie how the sabbatical is going, offered prayers, or shown interest in what I have been exploring. These gestures of support remind me that the sabbatical is not a solitary venture but a shared journey. I may have stepped aside from daily duties, but I have not stepped away from community. The ongoing care and encouragement I have received has made the sabbatical even more fruitful.

It is important for me to acknowledge, too, the spiritual dimension of this gift. A sabbatical is not merely a human arrangement; it is, I believe, an expression of God’s wisdom and generosity. In Scripture we see the call to Sabbath rest, the encouragement to let the land lie fallow, the reminder that renewal is part of God’s design. By granting me this sabbatical, you have aligned yourselves with that divine rhythm. You have allowed me to taste something of the rest that God desires for all creation. For that, I give thanks not only to you but also to the God who inspires such generosity.

As I return from this time away, I do so with a renewed sense of gratitude and a refreshed sense of calling. The sabbatical has not distanced me from ministry; rather, it has deepened my love for it. It has reminded me why I was drawn to this path in the first place. It has rekindled joy, sharpened focus, and restored hope. These are gifts I bring back with me, and I offer them freely in service to the community.

I am especially thankful for the trust you have shown. To grant a sabbatical is, in many ways, to say: we believe in your ministry enough to invest in it. That trust strengthens me. It reminds me that ministry is never a solitary endeavour but a partnership, a shared journey of faith. Your willingness to walk with me in this way is something I treasure deeply.

Finally, I want to express my thanks not only in words but also in the way I live going forward. Gratitude is not complete unless it is embodied. My hope is that the fruits of this sabbatical will be visible—in my preaching, my pastoral care, my leadership, and my presence among you. I want the generosity you have shown me to ripple outward, touching others with renewed energy and love. That will be my truest way of saying thank you.

I thank you for the gift of time, the gift of trust, the gift of rest, and the gift of possibility. Thank you for the support, encouragement, and sacrifice that have made this sabbatical possible. Thank you for recognising the humanity of your priest and for affirming the value of renewal. I am profoundly grateful, and I pray that the blessings I have received will be shared among us all as we continue the journey of faith together.

With deep gratitude and affection,

I. The Misguided Ambition (v. 24)

“A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.”

Jesus is hours away from the cross. The disciples are still caught in earthly thinking—status, power, recognition. They had left everything to follow Jesus, but in this moment, they are still wrestling with the world’s values.

We too, like them, can be swept up in comparison. We measure our lives by who’s ahead, who gets the credit, who gets the applause. But Jesus is not building a kingdom of self-promotion. He’s building a kingdom of self-denial.

II. The Radical Redefinition of Greatness (vv. 25–27)

“But you are not to be like that... the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.”

Jesus flips the world’s idea of power on its head. In Roman culture, greatness meant dominance Influence came through wealth, age, status. But Jesus says, “Not so with you.”

In the kingdom of God, service is not a stepping stone to greatness— it is greatness.

Christ Himself—God in flesh—says, “I am among you as one who serves.” Think of that The One who spoke the universe into being is the One who kneels to wash feet.

III The Reward of Faithful Service (vv. 28–30)

“You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom... so that you may eat and drink at my table…”

Jesus doesn’t just call His disciples to humility—He affirms them. Yes, they’ve failed in moments, but they’ve also remained. He promises them a place at His table, a share in His kingdom. True greatness in the kingdom is not about fame—it’s about faithfulness.

He doesn’t say, “Well done, you who rose above the others,” but “You who stood by Me in trials.”

Application… Living the Way of the Servant

I. In the Church: We don’t need more celebrities—we need more servants. A title is not what makes a leader—towels do. Serve where no one sees. God sees.

II. In the Home: Greatness in the home is not who makes the decisions, but who sacrifices in love. Parents, children, spouses—serve one another joyfully.

III. In the World: Let our lives be marked by a posture of humility. May people see in us not a desire to be important, but a desire to reflect Jesus.

Jesus didn’t avoid the cross. He embraced it. And in doing so, He redefined greatness forever. True greatness is not found in climbing higher but in kneeling lower.

So today, ask not, “How can I be great?” but “Whom can I serve?”

Because in the upside-down kingdom of God, the servant is the greatest.