Great Expectations (5)

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

Called to judge
What should we expect in this age of regeneration, when Jesus is ruling at the right hand of God? What does He hold out for us as great expectations for all who have left everything to follow Him in full faith?

He promises that we will rule with Him and like Him. Which is to say, He promises us the great and glorious privilege of serving others and judging the people of God according to His Word.

It seems strange, I suppose, that Jesus would hold out to us the expectation of judging others. After all, did He not instruct us not to do so (Matt. 7.1)? Well, not exactly. He warned us that we would be judged by the same standard we use in judging others (Matt. 7.2); however, Jesus also instructed us to judge with righteous judgment (Jn. 7.29). Who of us would not be willing to be judged by others according to such a standard of truth, fairness, mercy, and love? And how can we learn to judge this way ourselves?

Judges in Israel
The disciples would have heard Jesus’ words through the filter of their experience of judges in the nation of Israel. Those who were judges in Israel served the people of God primarily by the ministry of the Word. Judges were appointed in every city among the tribes of Israel, and their responsibility was to instruct, guide, protect, and oversee their community according to the Law of God, that is, according to God’s standards for liberty and love.

These judges, like Ezra (Ezra 7.10), were expected to devote themselves to daily reading, study, and discussion of the Word of God, laboring to understand the Scriptures and to make certain their own lives were in line with the will of God. Then they would join together in the gates of the city to teach and apply the Scriptures to the lives of the people. The story of Ruth and Boaz, in Ruth 4, is a perfect example of this system at work. The judges gathered – men of reputation and sound Scriptural learning – so that they could interpret the Word of God and apply it to a particular situation, with the result that the blessings of God abounded to all.

Thus by the work of the judges, their ministries of the Word of God, love for God and neighbor would obtain and prevail in all the cities of Israel.

Equipped to equip
This is what Jesus is calling His followers to do here and now. We are co-regents with Him, all of us who have left everything to follow Jesus. We sit on thrones with Him, metaphorically speaking, and we have been appointed to serve as teachers, enablers, and helpers of others according to the counsel and instruction of His Word.

But we need to work hard at fulfilling this high calling. We must be equipped for ministry by faithful leaders so that we can contribute to Jesus’ work of building His Church (Eph. 4.11-16). We can only do this, only fulfill our calling to judge the people of God, as we devote ourselves to the Word of God and keep alert to opportunities for serving others.

The followers of Jesus must study the Bible diligently and daily, but not merely with a view to learning its contents or gaining some “feel good” experience or some assuring word from the Lord. We are called to be equipped by Scripture for every good work, for only thus will we be ready to “make the most” of every opportunity for serving others that is presented to us each day (Eph. 5.15-17).

Jesus promises all those who have left everything to follow Him in full faith that He will give them authority, power, and abundant opportunities to “judge” the people of God, that is, to serve our fellow believers by the good works with which we are equipped through reading and studying the Bible. We must seek the Lord to make us zealous for such good works, and to equip us and make us ready for them (Tit. 2.14, 3.1). We must be devoted to good works of serving and judging (Tit. 3.14), so that we do not grow weary of doing good for others, beginning with those who share with us in following Jesus (Gal. 6.9, 10).

For it is in fulfilling this role as servants and judges that we will advance the rule of King Jesus and know the full and abundant life only Jesus can give (Jn. 10.10).

For reflection
1.  What does it mean to judge with righteous judgment? How well prepared for this are you at this time?

2.  The Bible can equip us for “every good work” (2 Tim. 3.15-17). We can glorify God in whatever we do (1 Cor. 10.31). How can we begin to see all our works each day as opportunities to do good and glorify God?

3.  Is the time you have in God’s Word each day sufficient – in duration and quality – to equip you for a life zealous and devoted to good works?

Next steps: Talk with a pastor, church leader, or another believer about how you might make better use of your time in God’s Word to equip you for every good work.

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.