Luke 22:28-30 (NIV) “You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
The disciples, even at this late hour, were still consumed by self-interest and self-promotion, trying to get ahead by dint of their own efforts. But, again, that is not the way of the kingdom of God.
Instead, God’s kingdom is a kingdom of grace and favor. No one will ever be allowed to seize or usurp power by force or might, because in God’s kingdom God alone is king. But He also delegates power, authority, and recognition to those who humbly submit themselves to His authority.
It is on the basis of that reality that Jesus could declare to His followers that they didn’t have to struggle and grapple with each other over the edges of the kingdom. Instead, as those who had stuck with Him through thick and thin, the power and authority of God’s kingdom was going to be graciously bestowed on them, not on the basis of merit or might, but on the basis of God’s grace.
This authority and power was symbolized by Jesus in His picture of the disciples eating at His table. That shows that the kingdom that they were to be given would not be their own, but would be a derivative kingdom. In a sense, they would serve as satraps, with authority to judge (not simply in the sense of a trial, but in the sense of ruling and leading, like the judges of ancient Israel), but ultimately subservient to the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords, Jesus Himself. Jesus, as the supreme ruler of God’s kingdom, retained authority to empower anyone He chose, and He was letting them know that they could relax about their future, because He was choosing them.
It wasn’t until after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, after the descent of the Holy Spirit on them, that they were finally able to understand what Jesus was telling them here. And it was only as they were filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit that they were able to successfully fulfill the roles that Jesus had called them to.
Father, this picture of authority and power was not just for those initial followers, but, through their ministry, it is for all of those who surrender to You, all who are filled by Your Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39). But we always must remember that our authority, and any power that we have, is not ours, but is derived through our relationship with Jesus, and therefore must be used to bear witness to Him, and to glorify His name. Help us to live out these realities today and every day. Amen.