What are Christ’s trials? He emptied his glory, and became a weak man, born in a manger, grown up in a corrupt generation, tempted by the devil, proclaimed king by men, prevented from going to the cross with opposition of his disciples, persecuted, despised, and rejected. Nevertheless, the disciples remained with him, condemned together with him. They all knew that danger lurked for them.
Jesus thanked his followers for their faithfulness, and made his will. What was this will? It was the kingdom, no more, no less. Christ bequeathed to them the very kingdom of God. He devised all the heavens, the stars, and the earth with all its humans and animals to them, because they followed him in his weakness, and believed in him as Lord, in spite of his humble human form.
He promised them, after their death, to sit with him in the other world, at his table, to partake of his joy, as they had partaken his distress on earth. There they will not only meet joyfully, but they will also serve. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the apostles will judge the twelve tribes of Israel, sitting on the thrones of the twelve fathers of their nation. All the chief priests, scribes, jurists, Pharisees, and Sadducees will appear before them, and they will judge them because they did not believe in the divinity of Jesus in spite of seeing him in his kindness and mightiness. Yet the fishermen of the Sea of Tiberias are not in fact qualified for this judicial office, but the Holy Spirit will fill them and make them humble scholars in the service of the Lord.
Likewise Jesus taught the future kings how to serve, fulfilling his promise: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Do you want to partake of the inheritance of the kingdom? Then be the least servant among your co-workers, and clean their shoes.