Mark 10:28-31
Peter began to say to
him, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you." Jesus said,
"Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or
sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the
gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and
brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and
in the age to come eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the
last first."
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What's the best
investment you can make with your life? The gospel presents us with a
paradox: we lose what we keep, and we gain what we give away. When we lose our
lives for Jesus Christ, we gain a priceless treasure and an inheritance which
lasts forever. Whatever we give to God comes back a hundredfold. Generosity
flows from a heart full of gratitude for the abundant mercy and grace which God
grants. Do you give freely and generously? And why do you give, for reward or
for love?
Right after a wealthy
young man refused to follow Jesus, Peter, somewhat crudely wanted to know what
he and the other disciples would get out of it since they had freely accepted
Jesus’offer to follow him unconditionally. Jesus spoke with utter honesty:
Those who left all for him would receive a hundred times more now, even in this
life, as well as unending life in the age to come. Jesus’disciples can
expect opposition and persecution from those who are opposed to Christ and his
gospel.
Should we be
surprised if we lose favor and experience ridicule, intimidation, and injury
when we take a stand for truth and righteousness? In place of material wealth,
Jesus promised his disciples the blessing and joy of rich fellowship with the
community of believers. No earthly good or possession can rival the joy and
bliss of knowing God and the peace and unity he grants to his disciples. The
Lord wants to fill our hearts with the vision of heaven and with his joy and
peace. Do you know the joy of following the Lord as his disciple? Ask the Holy
Spirit to fill you with the joy of the gospel and the knowledge of God’s
personal love.
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"Lord Jesus, I
want to follow you as your disciple and to love you wholeheartedly with all
that I have. Fill my heart with faith, hope, and love that I may always find
peace and joy in your presence."
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