Matthew 19: Kingdom Counsel (6)
Pray Psalm 110.1-3.
The LORD said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
Your people shall be volunteers
In the day of Your power;
In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,
You have the dew of Your youth.
Sing Psalm 110.1-3.
Aurelia: The Church’s One Foundation
“Sit by Me at My right hand,” the LORD says to my Lord,
“Until I make Your foot stand on all who hate Your Word.”
The LORD sends strength from Zion: “Rule all Your enemies.”
While those who Him rely on go forth their LORD to please.
Read Matthew 19.1-30; meditate on verses 27-30.
What scenes or images do “last” and “first” suggest to you?
Prepare.
1. When does “the regeneration” begin?
2. What will happen at that time?
Meditate.
Peter’s question prompted Jesus to provide a critical insight relative to the coming of the Kingdom and its character and purpose (v. 27). We note that Jesus did not rebuke Peter for asking about what they should expect who have left all to follow Him. Of course we have expectations! But just what should they be?
The ascension of Christ and His enthronement at the right hand of God mark the beginning of the historical period Jesus referred to here as “the regeneration” (v. 28), the new age of the Spirit, when multitudes are being regenerated in Jesus—born again into eternal life. Notice what Jesus says about this time, the historical moment in which we live. First, those who follow Jesus will be established as rulers to bring His judgment into the household of God (v. 28). As He showed us in chapter 18, all believers are to learn and wield the Word in helping one another to hate sin and live in the righteousness, peace, and joy of the Kingdom.
Second, as followers of Jesus, we are part of a worldwide family of brothers and sisters (v. 29). All the resources of the household of faith are available to us, just as we devote all that we have to Jesus to use as He will in making disciples, building His Church, and advancing His Kingdom. The first believers understood this perfectly well (cf. Acts 4-6), and they lived in abundant peace, blessing, and fruitfulness. We should expect the Kingdom to be made up of communities like those we see in Acts and the rest of the New Testament.
Finally, it’s the last, the least, the humble, the ready-to-serve who are the leaders in these communities. Those who seek power, prestige, and prominence as Jesus’ followers will be lagging far behind the true leaders, those who understand that Kingdom greatness comes to the humble, the servants, and those who learn, obey, and teach God’s Law. Such are the expectations we should embrace as followers of Jesus.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Expectations founded in Jesus Christ—some sooner, some later, but assuredly—will always be experienced.
‘Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for He Who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10.23).
Now to Peter. Albeit Jesus did not rebuke him for his question, this seems to be another situation where Peter said the quiet part out loud. He was the one who could always be counted on to speak the pervasive thoughts of all concerned. On their behalf, they were still expecting mighty forces to take down, on the spot, all those who troubled them. Justice now from the Romans. A regular “No kings protest” come to fruition.
But that was, and is, not the way of the Kingdom of God. It is an other-worldly Kingdom lived in the here and now. With our leader Jesus, at the helm. As it was said about the early believers, so it should be said about us: “…these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another King—
Jesus” (Acts 17.7).
And as for the “first last and last first” dictum: all will do well to follow Jesus first, last, and always.
“He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor” (Prov. 21.21).
Following Christ gives us the security all souls long for:
The assurance of hopes fulfilled.
The promise of life—now and eternally.
The purpose of Kingdom work to do.
The forgiveness offered for forgiveness given.
The guarantee of the Holy Spirit.
All expectations worthily anticipated to be experienced—
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13.8).
The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation, by water and the word:
From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride;
With His Own blood He bought her and for her life He died.
Yet she on earth hath union with God, the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with Thee.
(Samuel J. Stone, 1868)
Kingdom experiences experienced.
Just as we expected.
Reflect.
1. To whom is God sending you as a servant today? How will you serve them?
2. How do you contribute to your church being a sharing and caring community?
3. Do you expect to realize more of the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God today? What will that look like?
Our Lord added, that everyone who had forsaken possessions or comforts, for His sake and the gospel, would be recompensed at last. May God give us faith to rest our hope on this His promise; then we shall be ready for every service or sacrifice. Matthew Henry (1662-1714.), Commentary on Matthew 19.30
Pray Psalm 110.3-7.
Pray that the Lord will fill you with His power and send you forth today to seek and advance His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Sing Psalm 110.3-7.
Aurelia: The Church’s One Foundation
Your people in Your power, arrayed in holiness,
like dew of morning’s hour shall serve like youth refreshed.
The LORD has sworn and never will He His promise check:
“You are a priest forever after Melchizedek.”
The Lord is at Your right hand to execute His wrath,
and judge all kings and all lands—doomed sinners in His path.
Then, all His foes defeated, He takes His hard-won rest,
in glorious triumph seated with us, redeemed and blessed.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: Our Read Moore podcast continues readings from the book, The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart. Our Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing a series on the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column is working through a study of the role of reason in the life of faith. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
