27 “Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 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. 29 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. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:27–30 (ESV)
Jesus’ promises to the twelve disciples, excluding Judas Iscariot, were a direct response to Peter’s observation in vs. 27. What promises did Jesus make?
First, Jesus emphasized the truth, or reality, of what He said. “Truly, I say to you.” Second, there will be new world. New world (παλιγγενεσία; palingenesia) literally means renewal or regeneration. Third, Jesus said He would sit on a glorious throne stressing His authority, praiseworthiness, and supernatural power as God. Fourth, the disciples will also sit on twelve thrones occupying positions of delegated authority in the future kingdom.
However, Jesus did not exclude other believers in Christ from His future plans. He made additional statements for all disciples to keep in mind in anticipation of the future eternal state. Jesus provided a heavenly perspective on life and living.
Jesus acknowledged following Him would include sacrifice. This involves prioritizing all other human relationships as secondary to one’s primary covenant relationship with Christ. To leave (ἀφίημι; aphiemi) means to depart from, leave behind and abandon. This does not mean forsaking Christ-like behavior or family responsibilities (Eph. 5:22-6:4). It does mean that all other relationships believers have are secondary to, and framed by, one’s worship and service for the Lord. Our love for Christ should positively impact our love for others.
“This promise is for all who have in life chosen Christ above everybody and everything else, even above their nearest relatives and most cherished possessions. They have made the sacrifice, says Jesus, “for my name’s sake,” explained in Mark 10:29 as meaning “for my sake.” The “name” of Jesus indicates Jesus himself as he has revealed himself. See also on Matt. 6:9; 7:22; 10:22, 41, 42; 12:21,” comments Dr. William Hendriksen.
Jesus also said such a prioritized life would result in a hundredfold recompense or remuneration. In other words, a reward. Such followers receive the blessings indicated in such passages as Prov. 15:16; 16:8; Matt. 7:7; John 17:3; Rom. 8:26–39; Phil. 4:7; 1 Tim. 6:6; Heb. 6:19, 20; 10:34; 1 Peter 1:8.
When I became a Christian, my closest friends and family-like relationships became other believers in Christ. This change did not occur overnight but gradually and permanently. My greatest joys, deepest sorrows, and greatest concerns were, and are, shared with brothers and sisters in the Lord. Through these past 50 years since my conversion, this has remained a constant blessing. “The blessings of salvation far exceed anything that one must forsake to obtain them (I Cor. 2:9),” states Dr. R.C. Sproul.
The phrase “will inherit eternal life” means that what believers in Christ possess on earth in principle will be fully realized in heaven. “All the spiritual blessings that are bestowed upon God’s children in the present life “in principle” will be theirs “in full measure” in the hereafter. On and after the day of Christ’s return in glory material blessings will be added to the spiritual. They shall inherit them, in the present context implying that a. they are freely given to them, not earned by them; b. the gift is based upon justice: they were earned for them and are therefore theirs by right; and c. they are theirs forever,” explains Dr. Hendriksen.
Finally, the Lord evaluates recompensed rewards differently than humans. Honor in this present life on earth does not necessarily translate to a similar status in heaven. Often, the opposite is true. Jesus’ disciples are not called to be served, but rather to serve (Matt. 20:25-28). The kingdom principle of recompense is not based on worldly stature or success but rather upon divine grace.
“There does not seem to be any good reason for saying that Jesus meant that all of those who “shall be last” are going to be lost or outside the kingdom. Fact is: not only are there degrees of suffering in hell (Luke 12:47, 48), there are also degrees of glory in the restored universe (1 Cor. 15:41, 42). There will be surprises however. Not only will many of those who are now regarded as the very pillars of the church be last, but also many who never made the headlines—think of the poor widow who contributed “two mites” (Mark 12:42), and Mary of Bethany whose act of loving lavishness was roundly criticized by the disciples (Matt. 26:8)—shall be first on the day of judgment (Mark 12:43, 44; Matt. 26:10–13). The disciples, who were constantly quarreling about rank (Matt. 18:1; 20:20; Luke 22:24) better take note,” concludes Dr. Hendriksen.
Soli deo Gloria!
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