Even after the disciples argued about who was the greatest, Jesus promised them kingdom rewards. Luke 22:28 “You have stayed with me in my time of trial. 29 And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right 30 to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [1]
These disciples had followed Jesus for three years. They had seen miraculous healings and exorcisms but it had not been an easy life. Others had offered to follow but declined when Jesus told them about His life. Luke 9: 58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” [2]
God’s Kingdom is Different
Jesus had just explained that leadership looks different in His Kingdom. But, the disciples had trouble grasping the concept because it was unlike what they knew. Luke 22: 26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. [3] Jesus was the only leader they had seen serve others. In less than a day, Jesus, God in the flesh, would die to pay the price for their sins. This was upside down and backward to the disciples’ thinking.
Jesus had begun His ministry by announcing the Kingdom. Matthew 4: 23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom.[4] This was a spiritual Kingdom, not the political kingdom the disciples had anticipated.
This was also an eternal Kingdom, and Jesus made a promise to them. Luke 22: 29 And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right 30 to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [5] He was announcing this to His disciples, who would soon oversee the church and take the good news of Jesus to the world.
God’s Kingdom Today
We become part of God’s Kingdom when we believe in Jesus. James 2: 5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?[6]
We may be like the disciples and drift away from Jesus as we argue about earthly things. Yet, just as Jesus brought them back with the promise of the eternal kingdom, Jesus continues to call us back to Himself. Life isn’t easy, as we follow Jesus, there may be persecution. But, as believers, our destiny is to possess the Kingdom and live with Jesus forever. We can trust Jesus’ promises of Kingdom rewards.
To learn more about kingdom rewards, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/counted-among-rebels
[1-6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.