(24 thrones of Rev. 4:4)Thoughts: Often we think about how the disciples ran away from Jesus, betrayed Jesus, or let Him down. But here Jesus points out how they stayed by Him. From the beginning religious leaders were criticizing him, questioning him, and the disciples sometimes bore criticism too. They were criticized for picking grain on a Sabbath, for not fasting, not washing their hands, not healing the sick. Certainly there was real danger to the disciples when he was arrested to be crucified. Peter pointed out that he had left everything to follow Him (Mt. 19:27). So, Christ awards their faithfulness. Many fell away when he refused to be king yet claimed divinity (Jn. 6:66). So our task is to be faithful to Him, even if all fall away from the faith around us. Christ does not ignore the prices we pay to follow Him truly.
Prayer: Lord, you have been faithful to me. Help me to remain faithful to you.
John Calvin abridged: The disciples seem to demand a triumph from their warfare before they have finished fighting. Let us learn how our Lord soothes the bitter cup of this world with his hope. Christ tells them that the glory of his kingdom was about to be revealed. There were twelve apostles to gather the people scattered from the twelve tribes and would sit on the thrones at the end of history. We should learn a lesson from Christ who was worthy of kingly honor but humbled himself (Phil. 2:7).
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