"And Peter said, 'See, we have left our homes and followed You.' And He said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life'" (Lk 18:28-30).
These three verses provide an epilogue to Jesus' conversation with the rich young ruler (Lk 18:18-27). Christ's call to cash in his chips and follow revealed the man's idol: his own wealth. Jesus then pointed out how it's easier to smush a 1500 pound camel through the eye of a sewing needle that for a rich person to squeeze himself through the gates of heaven. The Lord pointed out that the only one capable of making that happen is God Himself.
At this point, Peter speaks up (v28). Let's face it, when Pete says something, there's a 50-50 chance he's going to make a fool of himself. Pastor Mike Lee says that it often seems like that the only reason Peter opens his mouth is to change feet. But here, Simon says the right thing.
In response to the rich ruler's retreat, Rocky speaks up for all of the twelve. It's just another example from the Bible of Peter's role as leader of the apostles. It's a role he will retain even in the wake of his betrayal of the Lord. He was part of Jesus' inner circle along with the Sons of Thunder. Peter was first among equals among Christ's twelve.
The Rock reminds Jesus of all that His own disciples have left in the rear view mirror in order to follow. "See we have left our homes and followed You." Actually the word "homes" is not in the original text. Pete actually says they have left "one's own" or “everything belonging to us" (Gr. adjective idios).
It is a reminder of how these twelve men walked away from not just their homes, but everything in order follow this amazing Man from Nazareth. Professional fishermen dropped their nets and left their business behind. A tax collector turned his back on his incredibly profitable occupation (and repaid with interest!). They had left it all behind.
Jesus responds to Peter's statement with an encouragement (v29-30). First, He talks about what they all have given up in more detail. These men have left their homes, wives, brothers, sisters, parents and children. And they didn't do it simply to hang out with some homeless and untrained Rabbi/Carpenter. They did it "for the sake of the kingdom of God." Somehow, someway they understood that something bigger was at stake. And they were willing to leave it all behind.
Jesus announces here that this call to leave it all behind is not just for these twelve closest followers. Are we willing to leave it all behind? I'm afraid that we Americans are more like the rich young ruler than the blue-collar bunch that Jesus' assembled. According to some statistics, 21st-century Americans are among the top 2% of the wealthiest people who have ever walked on the planet. How many of us are willing to leave everything to follow Jesus? House? Family? Job? Cars? 401k? I think it's time to move on. It's getting rather uncomfortable, don't you think?
After affirming everything that His followers give up, Jesus goes on to give an overview of the benefits package (v30). Those willing to forsake everything for the sake of the kingdom get unspeakable blessings, both in this life and the life to come. Don't miss that Jesus speaks of receiving "many times more in this time." Don't miss the math. God's blessings will be multiplied "many times more!"
I would hardily disagree with those preaching a prosperity Gospel that Jesus is promising earthly riches. It may happen. But the blessings of God are so much more than that, so much more robust than that, so much deeper than that. They include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Most importantly, it is the blessing of God Himself. He is our portion (Ps 16:5). He is our great reward.
Jesus alone is worth leaving all.
Then Jesus points us to the most mind-blowing retirement package the universe has ever known. He promises that we'll see those blessings continue once we pass from this life into the life to come. Much ink has been spilled on heavenly and eternal blessings. Christ is reminding His followers that it's worth it. It's VERY MUCH worth it. He doesn't deny that they've given up a lot. But they have only begun to scratch the surface on what's to come. And they don't have a clue of what will happen in the coming months and years. Their minds couldn't hold it all.
This passage reminds me of the statement that hands clinging tightly to earthly possessions are not open to receive the blessings of God. Too often we have a kung fu grip on things that have absolutely no eternal value.
Let it go. Put it down. Let the Lord fill your palms with His unspeakable and overflowing goodness. We can only receive when we loosen our kung fu grip.
These three verses provide an epilogue to Jesus' conversation with the rich young ruler (Lk 18:18-27). Christ's call to cash in his chips and follow revealed the man's idol: his own wealth. Jesus then pointed out how it's easier to smush a 1500 pound camel through the eye of a sewing needle that for a rich person to squeeze himself through the gates of heaven. The Lord pointed out that the only one capable of making that happen is God Himself.
At this point, Peter speaks up (v28). Let's face it, when Pete says something, there's a 50-50 chance he's going to make a fool of himself. Pastor Mike Lee says that it often seems like that the only reason Peter opens his mouth is to change feet. But here, Simon says the right thing.
In response to the rich ruler's retreat, Rocky speaks up for all of the twelve. It's just another example from the Bible of Peter's role as leader of the apostles. It's a role he will retain even in the wake of his betrayal of the Lord. He was part of Jesus' inner circle along with the Sons of Thunder. Peter was first among equals among Christ's twelve.
The Rock reminds Jesus of all that His own disciples have left in the rear view mirror in order to follow. "See we have left our homes and followed You." Actually the word "homes" is not in the original text. Pete actually says they have left "one's own" or “everything belonging to us" (Gr. adjective idios).
It is a reminder of how these twelve men walked away from not just their homes, but everything in order follow this amazing Man from Nazareth. Professional fishermen dropped their nets and left their business behind. A tax collector turned his back on his incredibly profitable occupation (and repaid with interest!). They had left it all behind.
Jesus responds to Peter's statement with an encouragement (v29-30). First, He talks about what they all have given up in more detail. These men have left their homes, wives, brothers, sisters, parents and children. And they didn't do it simply to hang out with some homeless and untrained Rabbi/Carpenter. They did it "for the sake of the kingdom of God." Somehow, someway they understood that something bigger was at stake. And they were willing to leave it all behind.
Jesus announces here that this call to leave it all behind is not just for these twelve closest followers. Are we willing to leave it all behind? I'm afraid that we Americans are more like the rich young ruler than the blue-collar bunch that Jesus' assembled. According to some statistics, 21st-century Americans are among the top 2% of the wealthiest people who have ever walked on the planet. How many of us are willing to leave everything to follow Jesus? House? Family? Job? Cars? 401k? I think it's time to move on. It's getting rather uncomfortable, don't you think?
After affirming everything that His followers give up, Jesus goes on to give an overview of the benefits package (v30). Those willing to forsake everything for the sake of the kingdom get unspeakable blessings, both in this life and the life to come. Don't miss that Jesus speaks of receiving "many times more in this time." Don't miss the math. God's blessings will be multiplied "many times more!"
I would hardily disagree with those preaching a prosperity Gospel that Jesus is promising earthly riches. It may happen. But the blessings of God are so much more than that, so much more robust than that, so much deeper than that. They include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Most importantly, it is the blessing of God Himself. He is our portion (Ps 16:5). He is our great reward.
Jesus alone is worth leaving all.
Then Jesus points us to the most mind-blowing retirement package the universe has ever known. He promises that we'll see those blessings continue once we pass from this life into the life to come. Much ink has been spilled on heavenly and eternal blessings. Christ is reminding His followers that it's worth it. It's VERY MUCH worth it. He doesn't deny that they've given up a lot. But they have only begun to scratch the surface on what's to come. And they don't have a clue of what will happen in the coming months and years. Their minds couldn't hold it all.
This passage reminds me of the statement that hands clinging tightly to earthly possessions are not open to receive the blessings of God. Too often we have a kung fu grip on things that have absolutely no eternal value.
Let it go. Put it down. Let the Lord fill your palms with His unspeakable and overflowing goodness. We can only receive when we loosen our kung fu grip.
Jesus alone is worth leaving all.
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