With Jesus in His Trials

Luke 22:24-30

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

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

You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

The first twelve apostles were instructed regarding their dispute about which of them should be considered the greatest. The instruction did not advise them to stop wanting to be the greatest. It was, instead, advice on how to both measure greatness and attain it.

The process included being servant of all, staying with Jesus through His trials, and through those processes being established as honorable with a place at the table of Jesus and enthroned beside His throne.

Even Judas was promised a throne, and even though his peers condemned him in his failure, Peter was not condemned for an equally disgusting disownment of Jesus, and Jesus is never quoted in the Book as changing His mind about this promise to Judas.

Let’s stop looking at difficulties and insults and accusations as anything other than opportunities to fellowship with Jesus outside the camp, so that when He reenters the gate, we are nearby and walk in with Him in the same triumph.