Matthew 19:27-30 In the New World
Format for Your Devotions
Instructions: Do not read my example devotion until you have completed your own devotional time in the scriptures. Reading my thoughts first may limit your own understanding. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you alone before looking to see what anyone else has to say, whether it is me, a Bible commentary, or a friend. Let God speak to you before you let another person speak to you. I have provided a format, but modify it to fit your needs. For example, I usually combine my application and prayer together talking to God about the application to my own life. You can go through this devotion process mentally, speaking out loud, or in writing as you wish. Don’t worry if you are not following this process exactly. Sometimes, I add extra information and sometimes I emphasize one part more than others. However, you should always think about what you learn about God from this passage.
Step 1: Pray–Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance first of all and that God may reveal the lessons that He wants you to have that day. Request that God protect you from Satan’s distractions (and the devil will try to distract you whether it is pinching the baby or putting you to sleep). Ask to see God more clearly as you read and think about the passage.
Step 2: Read the passage–Read to get an overview of the information first. Then start looking at specific parts after the first reading. You may read a larger or smaller section than I have here because you do not have to follow my organization at all.
Step 3: Understand the passage–You can summarize, ask and answer your own questions about the passage, visualize the story, analyze the characters, and relate this passage to other scriptures and personal experiences.
Step 4: What does this reveal about God?–What do you learn about the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit from this passage?
Step 5: Apply this to your own life.
Step 6: Prayer
My Example Devotion: May 30, 2019 Matthew 19:27-30
Note: In the devotion examples, I leave my questions and thought processes in the text because I am trying to demonstrate that a devotional time is a dialogue with God about what you are reading from His word. As such, any questions or ideas that you have should be explored by talking it out with God. These example devotions are not my attempts to teach you what the meaning of a particular scripture is. They are an attempt to teach you the process of devotions, which is a combination of prayer and Bible study where you explore ideas with God as you read His word.
Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
(Understanding the Text) Peter’s question is flawed, but Jesus answers him with positives anyway because Peter’s love for Jesus is true. The flaw in Peter’s question is that he focuses on what he has given up to follow Jesus, as if the leaving everything is the point, not the following. Jesus rewards Peter not because of the giving up but because of the following.
Jesus points Peter to the rewards of the new world. The disciples will have power in the new earth. They will be judges and have thrones; however, the reason that they will be judges is that they learned the humility of being apostles first. They, more than anyone else, learned to follow Jesus wherever He led and the principles of His kingdom. They did give up everything for Jesus, but they learned that they gave up nothing compared to loving Him. Their qualification for being judges in the new earth is that they loved God totally.
Jesus was making the point that in this world, being rich or powerful or famous or admired is not a recommendation. The only recommendation a person has is how close their relationship is with Jesus. It is the character that forms from close association with Jesus that is a recommendation for the new earth.
(Revelation of God) I think it’s interesting that Jesus refers to the new world, His glorious throne, the twelve thrones of the disciples, and their judging the twelve tribes of Israel. These are insights into the new earth and the structure of government there. Why does Jesus say that His throne is glorious? Do the twelve tribes of Israel represent all humans in the new earth or a subset government among many there? Are there twelve literal thrones or is this a symbolic use of the word indicating leadership and power in the government of the new earth? The SDA commentary seems to indicate that Jesus’ reference to His glorious throne is a reference to when He is the total ruler of this world and the universe itself. Rulership of this world devolved to Satan when Adam subordinated himself to Satan’s “truth” rather than God’s. Adam chose to follow Satan; thus, the world that Adam ruled became Satan’s to use and abuse. Jesus took back the world at the cross, but the process is not finished. There are many steps left to accomplish. Why it is necessary to take so long for those steps, I don’t understand, but I trust that it is necessary or God would have had mercy on us long ago and gotten rid of sin and Satan forever.
Note: The following paragraph represents my thinking at the time of this devotion. I have since had confirmation using Bible principles that Paul is definitely not the twelfth apostle. He fulfilled another role in God’s plan. Also, I have gained a fuller understanding of the role of judges, and I don’t believe that their main job will be settling disputes. On the other hand, what do I know? I am still in the process of increasing my understanding of these topics. I will wait until the future to find out what will happen when we are all on the new earth.
(Understanding the Text) Anyway, I guess Jesus was saying that when He had total control, the twelve (someone will replace Judas; It will be interesting to see if it is Paul or the disciples’ choice. I suspect that it will be the disciples’ choice, but some people think Paul) will be Jesus’ right hand men judging the world. Judges were leaders who decided disputes. I think that we will still have disputes that need someone else’s mediation. We will just not be angry and hateful about them or resentful if the other person wins the dispute. Our disputes will probably be different from what I imagine right now though.
(Application) I understand the lesson for myself. God values relationship and not actions. Actions are because of the relationship, not the cause of it. I am giving up nothing that will not be replaced with better and best. I need to focus on following Jesus and not what I have done in order to follow Him. What I don’t understand is the glimpse of the new earth that Jesus gave.
(Prayer) Help me to always remember that I am not giving up anything worth keeping and to keep my eyes on Your beauty and the place where You are taking me. Help me to remember that You want me to have the best and be the best that I can be and to trust the process that You are leading me through.