June 27th, 2017

Luke 18:28-30 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” 29 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.”
 
PETER and his fellow disciples have quickly become anxious. Surely a few minutes before this, they were feeling satisfied as they heard Jesus tell a wealthy man, “Sell everything you have and give to the poor. Then come follow me.” That is exactly what they have done! Peter and his brother Andrew left the family fishing business as did James and John. Matthew left his prosperous tax-collecting business. Peter also left his wife for a time. But he did not abandon her. Later she is with him as he ministered the gospel. They gave it up for Jesus. Surely they were on the right path to the kingdom of God!
    But then Jesus said one more thing: Luke 18:25 “Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Do you feel the disciples’ anxiety? Is there suddenly something more?
    Do you ask the question, too? You listen to the Bible and obediently “leave” things of this world you enjoy to more closely follow Jesus. you strive to be faithful and be a good disciple. But little changes. Life goes on with its struggles and battles. Even reading the Bible or perhaps these lessons, you might anxiously feel, “There’s always something else I need to do.” How do you know you are truly following Jesus?
    The answer comes when you ask, “Why am I Jesus’ disciple?” Jesus assures his disciples that they have, indeed, demonstrated a true faith as they gave up “home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God.” This heart sacrifice is the true path to abundant eternal reward. Other than Judas Iscariot, who did not give up himself, the disciples follow Jesus “for the sake of the kingdom of God.” They have given up their former lives to step into a new life in Christ.
    As in other gospel teachings, Jesus calls us to the first commandment: Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.” The Living Word means what he says. No family relationship is to determine our relationship with him. Even in this, Jesus is your example. He left his own brothers and mother to minister the gospel “for the sake of the kingdom of God”.
    Many men and women whom God has called have heard from family and friends, “Don’t do that. It is foolish to give up all you have worked to accomplish.” But isn’t it true? Giving up becomes your life for Jesus transforms into abundant reward. Your call may be on a factory floor, in an office, on a farm or traveling the road. You may be in a classroom, in an athletic arena or on a desert plain. Wherever God leads you, be committed to tell him, “Yes, Lord. I give up myself to follow you. After all, you have given up your life for me.”
 
Prayer: If I have not given up all for you, Lord, show me. In Jesus’ name, amen.