LUKE 22:28-30 APOSTLES TO BE JUDGES

APOSTLES TO BE JUDGES

LUKE 22:28-30

Luke 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations³⁹⁸⁶.

Susan: The word translated as “temptations” in the King James Version would be better rendered “trials” or “adversities.” The apostles had stood with Jesus despite the hostile enmity of the Pharisees and Sadducees. A select few of the religious leaders came to know and trust in Jesus as their Messiah, but the majority of the Jewish religious elite plotted to kill Him.

Susie: The apostles had walked many miles with Him, slept under the stars, and weathered storms at sea (which He calmed) as they followed Him.

Luke 22:29-30 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Susie: Although Jesus will not and cannot tell the disciples which ones may be the greatest, He does assure them of prominent places in His future kingdom. They will sit at the table with the Lord of lords and King of kings and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

Susan: Before the kingship was instituted in Israel, the judges were the final authorities in the land. Deborah, Gideon, and Samson were three of the judges.

Susie: Israel fell into a pattern of rebellion followed by a judge who would deliver and guide them:

Judges 2:11 & 16 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim . . . Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.

Susie: The point is that the term “judge” did not just refer to someone who made rulings in a court of law. A judge was a wise leader sent to deliver the people of Israel and guide them in the ways of the Lord.

Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Susan: Jesus promised the apostles that they would each have a position of responsibility and privilege within His kingdom. Of course, this would not include Judas, the son of perdition, who never believed in or trusted in Jesus.

Susie: However, there would still be twelve thrones and twelves judges, one for each the twelve tribes, because after Jesus ascended to Heaven, the apostles prayed and chose a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:15-26):

Acts 1:24-26 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Susie: Choosing a replacement for Judas fulfilled many prophesies in the Psalms. The clearest to us was:

Psalm 109:8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

Ponder this and Apply it: It is not important to gain honor and prestige on this earth. Jesus rewards those who serve others in humility no matter what their socio-economic status. Those who surrender their lives to Jesus and seek to honor Him by lives of service will be rewarded when His kingdom is established upon His return.