Great Expectations (4)

Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19.27, 28

The essence of truth
We know that Jesus often spoke in parables and metaphors. He did this, not to confuse His followers, but to open up their imaginations to realities and possibilities they’d either never considered or never observed.

When we remember that Jesus’ answer to Peter’s question relates to the time in which we presently live – the age of regeneration, when Jesus is ruling from His throne in heaven – we have to conclude that His comments about thrones, judging, and the twelve tribes of Israel are for this time, and for all who follow Jesus as His disciples (Matt. 28.18-20). Thus, we must conclude that His specific words to Peter are intended to be strictly metaphorical, to suggest rather than explicitly to describe.

Yet just because Jesus’ words are metaphorical doesn’t mean they aren’t true. What is the essence of truth Jesus wants His disciples to gather from this metaphor?

It is simply this: On earth, among the people of God, those who have left everything to follow Jesus are called to serve.

Servant-rulers
Recall the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet in the upper room (Jn. 13.1-15).

That story is introduced by our being told that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to Jesus and that He was about to ascend His glorious throne. All rule and power was given to Jesus at that moment. His throne and glory awaited Him, following the humiliation of the cross and the triumph of the resurrection.

So how did Jesus celebrate this great achievement and endowment? By washing His disciples’ feet. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and told us that just as we had seen Him do, we must do for one another as well.

Even now, at the right hand of God, the Lord Jesus is employed in daily intercessions for His people (Heb. 7.25). He serves as our Advocate and Intercessor, and He rules all things by His Word of power to bless and care for us, His flock. Further, He sends out His Spirit and His holy angels to attend to our needs and protect us on our journey. He upholds the cosmos and makes all things His servants (Heb. 1.3; Ps. 119.89-91). Paul tells us that Jesus is putting everything in heaven and earth under His feet, at His disposal, for the sake of caring for His people, His Church (Eph. 1.22, 23).

Jesus, our King and Savior, is working on our behalf as He reigns at the Father’s right hand. What a strange way to think about a King, as the Servant of His subjects! Yet this is how we must think of Jesus, and this is how we must think about our own callings as His followers, here and now.

We must expect, that is, that Jesus will fit and deploy us in works of love to serve others, following His own example, and in His own power and Word.

Serving like Jesus
We who have left everything to follow Jesus are seated with Him on His royal throne. So what should we expect to be the nature of our own activity as “rulers” and “judges” among the people of God? We, like Jesus, are called to serve. If you are a follower of Jesus, you have been appointed to serve. In our former lives we only ever asked, “What’s in it for me?” In the regeneration and Kingdom of Jesus we ask only, “How can I serve others with the love of Jesus?” Knowing that we are not fit for service, and must be equipped, we turn daily to the Word of God and seek the Lord earnestly in prayer, that we may be fitted for every good work and empowered to do whatever our Lord commands (2 Tim. 3.15-17; Matt. 21.22). And we look to leaders and Christian brethren to help us in becoming better equipped to serve others with the love of Christ (Eph. 4.11, 12; Heb. 10.24).

If serving others by the ministry of the Word of God is not what you have embraced as the life of faith, then it should be evident that you are not where Jesus is, and not where they are to whom He holds out the great expectations of our text.

You are not living full faith in Jesus unless serving others in His Name defines your daily walk with and work for the Lord.

For reflection
1.  What gifts has the Lord given you for serving others? What opportunities for serving are you presented with each day?

2.  What are the greatest obstacles we have to overcome to live as servant-rulers?

3.  How can Christians encourage and assist one another in this great calling (Heb. 10.24)?

Next steps: Meditate on Philippians 2.5-11. What did Jesus give up in order to become a servant? What are you called to give up in order to follow Him in this way? Talk with a pastor or church leader about these questions.

T. M. Moore

This week’s study, Great Expectations, is Part 2 of a 10-part series, Full Faith. You can download Great Expectations by clicking here. Your gifts to The Fellowship of Ailbe make this ministry possible. It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.