The Way Things Are

11.25.2012

Matthew 20.23 23 He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” NASB

If there is one big lesson we can take away from the life of Jesus Christ, it is this: Jesus was submitted. Jesus did what the Father told Him to do and He didn’t take shortcuts to do it.

Jesus had previously told His men, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matt. 19.28 NASB) So, they already had it in their minds that something was coming for them (although I don’t think they really had a clue of what they’d have to go through to get to those thrones). But when they started to demand where their thrones were to be placed, Jesus rebuked them and flatly stated: that isn’t My call!

Jockeying for position is a common human character flaw. To us it is mostly all about performance, position, and power. We humans don’t really trust each other all that much – and why would we, we’ve seen what man can do to man.

The Lord made it very plain that position, power, and performance are not considerations in the Kingdom of Heaven. The one who really wants to succeed in Heaven must be submitted to the will of the Father in every circumstance and situation. Where thrones are placed is of no consideration – that thrones are placed is what’s important. And the ones who sit on those thrones are the ones who follow the Lord Jesus in every way and walk as He walked: submitted to the will of the Father.

If Jesus was an earthly king, He could’ve and probably would’ve passed out favors and waivers for His sycophants. If Jesus was an earthly king, He would have lied about whose throne went where, and when the least throne was propagandized as the best, He would have looked like the Hero. But Jesus wasn’t (and isn’t) an earthly King. Jesus was and is submitted to the plan the Father worked out long before Adam and Eve shared the first bite.

My life, my devotion, my discipleship all depends on my being submitted to the way things are, not the way I would have them to be. If I get a throne and where it is placed is all up to how I handle what the Lord gives to me now: not in power, performance, and position, but in faithfulness, joy, gratitude, and submission: have Thine own way Lord!

Jesus, You could’ve made the decision to put those thrones anywhere You wanted but You were far above that: You gave all the glory to our Father and accepted His plan for You. Lord, may that be the hallmark of my faith and walk as well: to follow You in faithfulness and submission, all the days of my life. Amen.