And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:29
Imagine that for three years you put your life, family, and career on hold to follow Jesus. You have left everything behind for the chance of being a part of something much bigger than yourself. You have travelled, sitting on the edge of your seat, following a carpenter from Nazareth who offers words of hope and healing. Instead of having things that held you back, as the rich young ruler did, you went all in and didn't think twice. The original disciples were in this place. They left their fishing careers, tax collecting posts, families, and friends to follow Jesus.
After confronting the rich young ruler for his great wealth, Jesus made it clear to the disciples that it would be hard for those who are rich to enter into the kingdom of God. It isn't impossible, because God is able to rescue anyone, but it is difficult for those who have lots of money to put God first. Peter—hearing all that Jesus had taught—looks to Jesus and says, "We have left everything to follow you, what then will there be for us (Matthew 19:27)?" This is an honest question and one that Jesus honors. If Peter's heart and intent weren't sincere, Jesus would have called him out, but instead, He gave the disciples a promise. He looks to the future—when He would assume the throne and rule physically in the new kingdom. It was at that point that Jesus promised that anyone who gave up material possessions, relationships that held them back, or property for Him, would receive so much more in return. He also promised eternal life to those who followed Him.
The disciples are examples of people who went all in to follow Jesus. What would it take for you to be all in? Would it take putting on a posture of humility and jumping out of the rat race of materialism? Is there a relationship that you are still holding onto that is pulling you away from your Savior? Is there a piece of property that you are holding onto and the management is taking up precious time that you could be dedicating to the things of God? Maybe it is time to let go of some of these things and to follow Jesus as the disciples did. Don't hold back, be all in!
When you think about the example of the disciples, write out some ways that you are inspired by the sacrifice they made to follow Jesus. After you have listed out all the things that they gave up to put God first, think about some ways God might be calling you to follow Him. It will always cost something to follow Jesus.
Read Matthew 19:23-30 (NLT)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?”
Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.
©2024 Sagebrush Church
