When the man from the crowd commands Jesus “tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me,” there’s more than a touch of irony in our Lord’s response. When Jesus says, “man, who made me or judge or arbitrator over you,” He presents this as a rhetorical question, as a way of saying “this is not my business.” And yet, at the same time, Jesus is most certainly judge over this man. God the Father has made it so. On the Last Day, this man, like every other man, will have to stand before Jesus Christ and give an account for what he’s done.
But, of course, that’s precisely the point. Yes, Jesus has authority over everyone and everything, which means you can bring everything before your judge. He will hear any complaint you bring before Him. But what do you want to bring before Him?
You have a limited amount of time in this life. You have a limited amount of words to speak, a limited amount of grievances to make. Do you really want to spend those on perishing things? Do you want to complain to your Lord that you were robbed of the stuff that would have pulled you further away from him? Do you want to beg Him to pour out His condemnation on those who didn’t give you enough poisonous mammon to destroy your soul? Do you really want to beg Jesus to force the world to give you more of the things that will feed your pride, your selfishness, your anger, your restlessness, your unbelief?
Flee from temptation and the things that invite it into your life. And when you go to your judge in prayer, ask for more of what you need to find true happiness. Ask your judge to give you more forgiveness, more mercy, more salvation. Ask him for more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything you truly need in this life, your Judge will give you.