Day 290, October 17 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Mark 8:31–9:37; Matthew 16:21–17:23; Luke 9:22-48; Matthew 18:1-5
Executors of the Estate
When a person knows he will die, he often takes one or a few trusted individuals into his counsel to handle his estate, and these individuals can be surprised at what investments and property this includes. New revelations of the owner’s character and connections may appear.
Jesus chose disciples to be executors of his estate because he would soon die. He didn’t call them executors since he didn’t own property or other assets. Still, they would take over his spiritual ministry after his death, and because of this, he shared everything with them.
The Executors Privately Meet with Jesus
In today’s Bible reading, Jesus continues a public teaching and healing ministry to large crowds of people. They throng him everywhere, but Jesus also turns his attention to the private teaching of his disciples. To do this, he must periodically get away from the crowds to instruct the twelve, and in particular, he meets with three of his inner circle—Peter, James, and John.
Jesus’ estate, his ministry, is the mission of reaching people for the kingdom of heaven. He would soon hand this mission over to the apostles and later the church (Acts 2).Jesus says many things to the twelve to prepare them for coming events, and we’ll reveal them in several Bible studies.
Jesus Prepares his Disciples
When significant changes come to a family, group, or organization, what is most important must be introduced, discussed, and often repeated. Jesus begins to prepare his disciples for his death, burial, resurrection, and return to his Father in heaven.
The disciples don’t understand Jesus’ talk about dying. They were looking for a savior from Roman oppression. When Jesus refers to his coming death, he’s not reacting against the pressures of life, speaking from exhaustion or out of his mind. Jesus is serious. His death for the Jews and the rest of us is why he came into this world (John 12:27).“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring [us] to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18, NIV).
Being Executors Involves Total Commitment
The Lord needs loyalty from his disciples. He warns them, “If they persecuted me they will also persecute you” (John 15:20b, NIV). He also challenges them, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24, NIV).
What does Jesus mean? Just what he said—following Christ is challenging. We must deny ourselves —restrict our passions, desires, and will to follow his way. The disciples knew what the cross was (see more).Death by Crucifixion was a Roman capital punishment designed for the worst of criminals. The crucifix was in the shape of a cross. In a short while, the Roman government would crucify Jesus. Would the disciples continue to follow him or fall away? What about us—will we follow Jesus to our deaths, if necessary, or abandon him when times get tough?
All Jesus’ disciples initially abandoned Christ when the soldiers arrested him (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50-51). When Jesus rose from the dead, he forgave them. After the Lord returned to heaven and the Holy Spirit came, all his apostles were willing to lay down their lives for the gospel. Almost all of them died a martyr’s death.After Jesus introduced the topic of suffering and death, he wanted to encourage them concerning the Kingdom of God (heaven). Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” (Matthew 16:28, NIV).
What did the Lord mean? Peter, James, and John would see Jesus transfigured from his earthly form to his glorified body a week later. Moses and Elijah would appear with him, and somehow, the apostles would recognize them. The three apostles would get a peek at the glory of God’s Kingdom.
Jesus Reveals Himself to his Executors
Through the transfiguration, Jesus shows Peter, James, and John who he is, the Son of God who came from heaven, the one who will be king.
Why were Peter, James, and John the only ones to see Jesus in his glorified state? The three were leaders in the group of the twelve apostles and would later be leaders in the early church. They would become the executors of Jesus’ estate, taking over his ministry. For more insight into the transfiguration of Christ, see (more).Perhaps James and John misinterpreted why Jesus chose them and Peter to see their Lord glorified. They were not listening to Jesus when he talked about dying; they expected him to become king and deliver them from their Roman oppressors.
Later, there were arguments about positions in the kingdom. James and John wanted to sit at Jesus’ right and left side on thrones, ruling with him. They even got their mother to try to convince Jesus. The other disciples were angry and jealous. However, Jesus said that those who want to come into his kingdom must have the humbleness and faith of a little child.
Furthermore, it wasn’t Jesus’ responsibility to give kingdom positions but God, his Father. Then Jesus tells them they need to take a servant’s attitude as he himself is doing.
What about us? Have we accepted Christ as our Savior in simple faith? Are we greedy for gain or position, or do we humbly give preference to others, serving them?
Discussion
How were Jesus’ twelve apostles like executors of an estate?
