"Sitting on the Throne"
Watch
Listen
Read
You're in a line of people at a party, walking around in a circle while music plays. The music suddenly stops, and you scramble to find a chair. It's Musical Chairs! Will you find an empty seat, or be the one left standing?
As Jesus closes his words to the seven churches, he turns to Laodicea with a final promise to the victorious. His offer: a guaranteed seat when the music of life stops.
"The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne" (Rev. 3:21).
Sitting With Christ
Jesus invites us to sit with him on his throne. He welcomes us to the best seat in the house, not because we've earned it, but because of his love and graciousness. Jesus once told people at a party not to sit in the seat of honor, "But … go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:10-11). Will you hear those comforting words, "Friend, move up higher"?
Reigning With Christ
Sitting with Christ means sitting on the royal throne of heaven. Can you imagine a better place to sit for all eternity? Those closest to Jesus were often promised a more significant role in heaven, as "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'" (Matt. 19:28). What a fantastic thought that someday we'll be given such honor and responsibility by God!
Serving Like Christ
But remember when the mother of James and John asked Jesus, "Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." (Matt. 20:21)? Jesus answered her, "… to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father" (Matt. 20:23). Then he warned against self-exaltation, "… whoever would be great among you must be your servant … even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:26-28).
Someday we'll sit with Christ on his throne, but that doesn't mean we should become puffed up about it. Our job here is to humbly serve and give ourselves entirely to his will. Let us stand and serve today that we may sit and reign tomorrow.
