I Confer on You a Kingdom

Luke 22:24-30

Key verse 29

“And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,”

1. Read verses 24-25. What were the disciples in dispute about? (24) What ideas do people generally have about the way to become great? (25) Why do those who exercise authority over others call themselves Benefactors?

2. Read verses 26-27. What did Jesus teach them about the way of true greatness? (26) What example did He give? (27, Mk 10:45)

3. Read verses 28-30. How did Jesus’ disciples participate in His service? (28) What did Jesus promise them? (29) How will those who serve faithfully be rewarded in His kingdom? (30)

I Confer on You a Kingdom

Luke 22:24-30

Key Verse 29

“And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,”

Introduction

People have always envied the person whom others serve. In ancient China, rich people sometimes grew long fingernails, so that they would not have to do anything themselves. But according to Jesus’ teaching, the people who are really great are the servants. If the Downey mayor took a month off, no one would really notice it. But if all the trash collectors in the country took two weeks off, we would notice at once. Jesus is trying to enlighten His disciples about how to be great before God’s eyes.

1. Read verses 24-25. What were the disciples in dispute about? (24) What ideas do people generally have about the way to become great? (25) Why do those who exercise authority over others call themselves Benefactors?

1-1, Read verses 24-25.

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.

1-2, What were the disciples in dispute about? (24)

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

• Jesus spent three years with His disciples. It was the final few hours before His betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. They argued about who was the greatest.

• As a matter of fact, it was a common topic of conversation among the disciples, for it was not the first time.

• When Jesus first foretold his betrayal in chapter 9, his disciples had also responded by arguing with one another regarding who among them was the greatest.

• When they didn’t welcome Jesus’ words when he spoke about suffering for God’s glory, they remained earthbound and argued about who was the greatest.

Luke 9:43-48 reads,

While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, 44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them,“Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

1-3, What ideas do people generally have about the way to become great? (25)

Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.

• Jesus could have rebuked his disciples harshly, but instead he chose to teach them about how to be great.

• First the world leaders exercise their authority and power in a certain manner, but all are ultimately self-exalting.

• “Kings of the Gentiles” can be understood as any ruler who do not fear God.

• Though the Bible teaches plainly that their authority comes from God, they do not recognize God as their God.

• They recognize themselves only and think they are the supreme power. They subdue people and exert their will.

• They dominate others in order to be served and to enjoy a sense of power.

1-4, Why do those who exercise authority over others call themselves Benefactors?

• Though they rob people of freedom and dignity, they call themselves “Benefactors;” they claim to do good for the people they conquer.

• King Herod murdered and terrified many. He did this so that they would obey him.

• At the same time, he called himself a benefactor by building the temple in Jerusalem. This is not just Herod’s story.

• This is the tendency of fallen men because of their sinful nature. Husbands can abuse power over their wives. Parents can do the same over their children.

• Employers mistreat their employees.

• Those who are popular despise the needy and outcast.

• When Satan works through these relationships, people can be badly damaged and even destroyed.

1. Read verses 26-27. What did Jesus teach them about the way of true greatness? (26) What example did He give? (27, Mk 10:45)

2-1, Read verses 26-27.

But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

2-2, What did Jesus teach them about the way of true greatness? (26)

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

• In that society, the youngest had no right to exercise authority over others.

• True greatness does not come from a position of authority; it comes from within.

the greatest among you should be like the youngest,

• It means that the youngest is the least powerful and least unnoticeable member of the community.

• The next sentence helps us to understand who is the youngest.

the one who rules like the one who serves.

• Although the one who has authority and power to rule, he or she chooses to serve instead.

• In this regard, the best example is our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Though he is in very nature God, he came down to this world and became a little baby who was placed in a manger.

• He took the lowest position on earth in order to dwell among us as our Savior and Friend.

• Jesus removed barriers of power and distance, be they political, economic or social in nature.

• Fallen men hide their corrupted inner lives behind positions and titles, avoiding any real relationship with others.

• But Jesus removed every barrier through his humble renunciation so that we might come to know him as he truly is.

• In this way Jesus shared the life of God with us. His living allowed us to experience the greatness of God within him.

John 1:14 reads,

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

2-3, What example did He give? (27, Mk 10:45)

For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

• We might think that Jesus should have settled the issue by pointing out that He was the greatest. Instead, Jesus answered their question by what He did.

• In Jn 13:3-5, Jesus washed their feet after supper, and He may have spoken these words about true greatness as He washed their feet, or after He was finished.

• In fact, the supreme patience of Jesus was displayed in His gentle correction of His disciples.

• Living as a servant really is the best way to live. We are no longer concerned for our own honor and credit.

• We don’t walk around with hurt feelings and disappointed expectations, because all we want to do is to serve.

• Don’t get wrong through. Jesus did not mean that if you serve in a lowly place, you will be always be given a great place.

• Rather He meant that in God’s eyes, the lowly place is the great place.

Mark 10:42-45 reads,

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

• Service is a sign of true greatness. Service is one hallmark of genuine fellowship with the Lord Himself.

• Although Jesus is the King of kings, He prefered to call Himself as “servant of servants” while he was on earth.

• Again His nickname in the book of Luke is the Son of Man.

1. Read verses 28-30. How did Jesus’ disciples participate in His service? (28) What did Jesus promise them? (29) How will those who serve faithfully be rewarded in His kingdom? (30)

3-1, Read verses 28-30.

You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

3-2, How did Jesus’ disciples participate in His service? (28)

You are those who have stood by me in my trials.

• In this awesome time of teaching, at the Last Supper, Jesus warns his disciples solemnly about leadership wrongly used, and now extends a wonderful promise to those who are faithful.

• First, he identifies his disciples as those who have stood by him in his trials.

• There is a sense in which the persecutions we face as his servants are not ours but His.

• In his epistle, Apostle Paul emphasized the same message.

Colossians 1:24 reads,

"Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church"

3-3, What did Jesus promise them? (29)

And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,

• Now He makes an amazing proclamation: "And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me"

• “Confer” means “grant or bestow a title, degree, benefit, or right”.

• Its synonyms are “present to, grant to, award to, honor with, give to, endow with.”

• The verb "Confer" (NIV) from Greek word “diatithemi”, "to make formal arrangements for something to be done or brought about, 'decree, ordain' ... to make disposition of something, 'arrange something'."

• The word is also used to arrange for disposition of property after one's death, "dispose of property by a will, make a will."

• Jesus is now involving his disciples in the actual operation of and administration of his Kingdom.

• It means that they had been observers so far but now they are actual participants with Christ in the Kingdom.

Exodus 19:6 reads,

"You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation"

1 Peter 2:9 reads,

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light"

Revelation 1:6

"... And has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father."

Revelation 5:10 reads,

"You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

Revelation 20:6 reads,

"Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years."

• So to confer on his Twelve Disciples a kingdom means that they will serve as agents of this kingdom, as officers, as leaders.

• They will reign "on the earth," as well as in God's heavenly kingdom.

• When, how, and where we do not fully know. However we believe that the scriptures clearly indicate that this conferring a kingdom does not apply just to the Twelve.

• Rather to each of us who seeks to serve Jesus daily as his disciples, in the middle of troubles and trials and in great joy.

• Praise Jesus and His wonderful promise through His death and resurrection!

John 15:14-16 reads,

You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

3-4, How will those who serve faithfully be rewarded in His kingdom? (30)

so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones,

• Jesus further offers his disciples the privilege of sharing his own table. Both verbs "eat" and "drink" are in the present tense, indicating continuing action.

• This isn't just a single meal, but an ongoing provision.

• We are reminded of 2 Samuel 9:7 in light of a special privilege afforded to Jonathan’s one and only surviving son, Mephibosheth.

• David said, "Don't be afraid for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table".

• Sitting at the King's own table meant that the King took on the responsibility of providing for your food -- free of any charge to you!

• But more than an eternal ticket that entitles one to sit at the King's own table, the disciples are offered a seat at the most important Feast of all the ages, that is to say, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Revelation 19:9 reads,

“Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

• This is the occasion when Jesus will be joined by the patriarchs of ancient times and will celebrate figuratively his marriage to his Bride, the church.

• We are now his betrothed, but when he returns, the marriage will be completed.

Luke 13:28 reads,

“People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

Luke 14:15 also reads,

“When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

• Jesus also promised to his disciples about their specific authority in his Kingdom -- to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

• The gospel of Matthew elaborates in this short phrase as follows.

Matthew 19:28 reads,

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

• So they will sit on "thrones," Greek thronos, "chair, throne."

• In Greek, "this word, related to seat and footstool, denotes a high stool with back, arms, and footstool.

• It is a seat for elders, teachers, etc., and is later reserved for kings and gods." The throne is a symbol for the high office they hold. Their role is judging.

• The present tense Greek verb is krino, a common word that can have a wide range of meaning, from "judge" to "decide" to "engage in a judicial process."

Revelation 21:12 reads,

“It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Conclusion

Luke teaches us to live as new covenant people. We do not remain the same after entering a new covenant with God. We no longer live according to our fallen nature. We are changed by the blood of Jesus. Now we can grow to be like Jesus. This is the fruit of the new covenant. The disciples would receive a unique reward, because they are the ones who have continued with Jesus in His trials. Jesus appreciated and valued the support He received from His disciples. The apostles will have special status in the Kingdom of God. They will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, and their names will be on the twelve foundations of the wall of the New Jerusalem. Being an unworthy servant does not mean that we are unrewarded. Quite the opposite! God’s greatest servants receive the greatest rewards. But a great servant does not serve for the sake of reward, but for the sake of God’s glory. Paul said, “...we are co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17). The world we live in is marked by tragedy and injustice. People are wounded, dreams are broken, and desires go unfulfilled. Hopes in this world always disappoint us. But Jesus promises a place in His kingdom of perfect peace, true joy, and eternal glory and honor.

One word: I confer on you a kingdom!

I confer on you a kingdom

Luke 22:24-30

Key Verse 22:29

“And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me”

Let us assume that you have to bear false accusation from someone whom you know very well. To be falsely accused is very painful because you are condemned by it, and others will speak ill of you without proper reason, and their relationship with you will be broken. If we assume those situations, how challenging will it be for us to bear false accusation. Probably we want to retaliate or make threats.

But suppose, you will be rewarded by such a large amount of money which will far outweigh your suffering, what will do you? Will you bear it? Probably you will.

The same truth was revealed in today’s passage. Jesus knows serving comes with trials, sometimes unbearable. But he promised great reward and his reward is far greater than the suffering of trials. So he encouraged his disciples to keep serving and become great man following his image.

My message has two parts. Part I. Which of them was considered to be greatest (v.24-27) Part II. You may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom (v.28-30)

Part I. Which of them was considered to be greatest (v.24-27)

Look at verses 24-27.

²⁴ A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵ Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶ But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ²⁷ For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 

It was the last Passover table, and Jesus’ death was within a day. But Jesus’ disciples could not understand what was going on in the heart of Jesus although he told them one of them would betray him. They were arguing about which of them was considered to be greatest.

Jesus’ disciples could not agree about who would be greatest among them. They all thought each one of them was the greatest. They all wanted to be considered to be greatest.

To them the final day of Jesus’ life would mean the coming of Jesus’ kingdom and they all wanted to be the prime minister of Jesus’ kingdom. But they could not agree with which of them was considered to be greatest. So a dispute arose.

What was Jesus’ response?

Jesus could have responded by saying, “You fool! Don’t you realize the meaning of new covenant in my blood? Don’t you know that I will be crucified in a day? Don’t you still realize it? How blind you are!”

Rather Jesus simply explained to them who was greatest in the sight of God by using the contrast.

First, Jesus explained the worldly concept of being greatest. ^“Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.” (v.25)

In the world, people in the position of authority such as kings and lords and presidents exercise their authority over those under them but they claim that they do so for the benefit of those under their authority. So they call themselves ‘benefactors’. Is it true that the people in the position of authority exercise authority over them for the benefit of those who were under their authority? Not necessarily.

For example, in Turkey, a few days ago, there was a military coup d'état.

Turkey’s president suppressed it. Then immediately he began to purge those who participated in the coup d'état. But does he do for the benefit of people under his authority or does he do for his own benefit? According to the news, there is great possibility that he would exercise his authority for his own benefit. But of course he calls himself as ‘benefactors’ for his people.

Politicians run for elected positions. In their campaign they claim they ran for the positions for their countries. Partly it can be true. But partly we know that they do for their own benefit, which is to exercise huge authority.

American president has huge authority. He has executive power, veto power against legislation. In addition he can appoint 6,000 federal positions and some of them requires Senate’s approval. For his executive branch he can also appoint 7,000 position in his government. He has such authority and power. Indeed American president is considered as the man who has the greatest authority among all men on earth. And some political leaders especially from under developed countries exercise authority over others for the benefit of themselves rather than that of people under them.

Secondly, Jesus explained the true greatness to his disciples. Verses 26-27 reads, “²⁶ But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ²⁷ For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”

Jesus taught his disciples that the greatest among them was the youngest, and the great man was the one who serves rather than the one who rules. This is opposite teaching of the worldly concept of being great.

Therefore, Jesus was teaching his disciples that they should seek more ‘service’ rather than ‘authority’ in order to be great.

What do we seek? Do we seek authority? Or do we seek ‘service’? Or do we seek ‘authority’ in the name of ‘service’?

What do you think is the main difference between the one who exercise authority and the one who serves? Probably the main difference is who gets the benefit.

The kings of the Gentiles and those who exercise authority over others call themselves ‘benefactors’. It means they claim that they give benefit to others. But we know many cases that is not true. The truth is who receives benefit should be determined not by those who claim but by those who receive benefit.

Jesus used the example of the one who sit at the table and the one who serves in order to teach who is greatest among them. He said, “Who is greater, the one who is at the table or the who serves?” Usually who is at the table? They are customers if the place is restaurant. They are owners if the place is house. At a restaurants or house, those who sit at the table receive benefits from those who serve. Those who serve are waiters or waitresses or servants or slaves.

Those who sit on the tables are greater because they exercise authority over waiters or servants asking them to bring this kind of food or that kind of food.

But Jesus said, “I am among those who serves.” In another words, Jesus set up an example before he taught them about who is greatest. Jesus revealed that greatest man is the one who serves.

Jesus said the same truth in Mark 10:45.

So Jesus said in Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus’ life as ransom sacrifice is ultimate service because all peoples on earth can receive the benefit of salvation through Jesus.

What is the main point which determines who exercise authority over others or who serve? It is ‘who gets the benefit.” Those who exercise authority over other call themselves benefactors. But that does not mean it is true. Those who receive benefit will tell it is true or not.

Why does serving others make us great? It is because we reveals the image of Jesus who did not come to serve but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. All believers received the benefit of salvation through Jesus’ service.

Surely those who serve are great men.

But to serve is not easy whereas exercising authority is easy. That was why the devil tempted Jesus to prove himself as the Messiah by jumping himself from the top of the temple rather than going through the crucifixion.

How nice and easy it would be for Jesus to jump from the top of the temple and prove that he is the Messiah! But he proved himself to be the Messiah by being crucified, going through the pain and suffering of death. He was abused by men.

Because he was abused we received the benefit of salvation. Only through Jesus’ service we all receive benefit, one blessing from another.

Now when we try to serve others through bible study and helping them to grow to be Jesus’ disciples we know how challenging it is to serve.

No one is perfect. So we all have weaknesses. So we can make mistakes. We can misunderstand others or be misunderstood. Sometimes we are falsely accused or blamed. And there can be many challenges which all includes pain and suffering. Sometimes those pain and suffering is too severe that we want to give up. It is as if Jesus might be tempted when people insulted him, saying “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross and prove it.” But Jesus did not come down from the cross. By not retaliating them and by not using his authority as the Son of God, he proved himself as the very Messiah. By dying as a weak and powerless man, by dying under great insult and humiliation and pain and suffering he proved himself as the promised Messiah.

When he entrusted himself to the Father, Father proved him to be the Messiah.

1Pe 2:21-24

²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ²² “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” ²³ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

So when you insult somebody by mistake and if the person does not retaliate and does not threaten you, you know he has the image of Christ. Christ did not retaliate when people hurled insults at him. When he suffered he made no threats to those who gave him suffering out of anger or pain. What did he do? He humbly entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

There is a person who judges justly. We need to believe he judges justly and he can establish justice. We cannot establish justice because no one is perfect. But our heavenly Father is perfect and he is the only perfect judge, and he will judge justly.

Part II. You may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom (v.28-30)

Look at verses 28-30.

²⁸ You are those who have stood by me in my trials. ²⁹ And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, ³⁰ so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Here Jesus said his disciples stood by him in his trials. Why did Jesus go through trials? It is because he served. If Jesus exercised authority for his benefit he did not need to go through so much trials. But since he served he went through so many trials.

Jesus’ trial did not end when he was crucified. It continued even when he was hung on the cross. People hurled insults at him. “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross and I believe you. You weak and powerless man. I regret I followed you.” But Jesus did not retaliate. He made no threats. He entrusted himself to God who judges fairly.

1Peter 2:21-24

²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ²² “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” ²³ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

If you hurt someone and if that person does not retaliate and if he does not make threat, that person is great. He reveals the image of Jesus Christ who did not retaliate, and make any threats. Rather he entrusted himself to God who judges justly. Indeed God judged justly and raised Jesus from the dead in three days.

If we are harmed and insulted and if we do not retaliate and make any threat, we reveal the image of Jesus Christ as well.

Jesus’ trials did not end in his own life. It continued in the life of his disciples. So he told them, “If the world persecute you, remember that it persecuted me first.” When Jesus’ disciples served others by following Jesus’ example, such as teaching the word of God, healing people, and raising up disciples, they went through a lot of trials.

So probably whey Jesus said, ‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials’ although they all ran away in his last trial. But they stood by Jesus in his eartly ministry.

To serve is not easy. It comes with a lot of trials. When Jesus taught the word of God, healing people, raising up disciples, there was a lot of opposition, troubles, pains and sufferings and trials.

Because Jesus knows serving comes with a lot of trials which he personally went through he also promised great reward for those who serve.

What would be the reward for those who have stood by Jesus in his trials? Great one. First of all they will eat and drink at Jesus’ table in Jesus kingdom. Jesus said,
“²⁸ You are those who have stood by me in my trials. ²⁹ And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, ³⁰ so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Conferring his kingdom on his disciples comes because his disciples stood by him in his trials although standing by him is by God’s grace.

Jesus would confer a kingdom to his disciples who stood by him in his trials.
“Trials” are challenging and it comes with pain and suffering. But it has great benefit. It is the basis of receiving a kingdom from Jesus.

Those who have stood by him in his trials will receive kingdom from him. It is just as the Father conferred one kingdom to Jesus. The blessing to receive the kingdom of God is great. It is unbelievable. In Jesus’ table in the kingdom of God, those people who have stood by Jesus in his trails would be present. They will eat and drink together with Jesus and they will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

In the table of King David, there were people who ate with him. Who are those? His own children and privileged people. So Mephibosheth was thankful when he was invited to eat at the king’s table because he knew he did not deserve.

There is such a song called, ‘To the table”. Greg Newmaster sang as a special song. I reveals grace to be invited to Jesus’ table and eat and drink with him.

In addition, Jesus’ disciples will sit on thrones and judge twelve tribes of Israel. There are thrones other than the throne of God.

Revelation 4:4

^“Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.”

Jesus’ disciples who stand by Jesus in his trials in the course of serving others will sit on thrones and judging others. In life, they were judged by other people. But in Jesus’ kingdom, they will sit on throne judging twelve tribes of Israel.

We all experience trails in the course of serving others, our bible students or our children or others. We can be misunderstood or we can be condemned or betrayed. But Jesus said in Mt 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Today’s passage reveals what is great reward in heaven.

Great reward in heaven also revealed in other parts of the bible.

Romans 8:18

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“[16] Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. [17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Therefore we should not lose heart or give up because of trails that comes from serving others. But rather we need to remember the promise of great reward for those who serve and even rejoice greatly.

Today we learned that serving others makes us great because it reveals the image of Jesus. Serving comes with trials but it bring greater reward.

One word: I confer on you a kingdom