27 Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” 28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.”
Discipleship often surfaces one’s insecurities.
The twelve had just concluded that eternal life was not only difficult for the wealthy to attain, it is impossible for anyone to enter into apart from God’s doing. Where did that leave them, they thought. Their lack of wealthy was, at least in part, the result of walking away from earthly financial security to follow Christ. Their concern was natural. Peter, once again, was the spokesperson.
All who sacrifice for Christ at times wonder if it has been worth it. The obvious comfort and pleasure seen in the wealthy reminds the disciple of his lack and can bring doubts. We can learn from the psalmist’s struggle, “… My feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:2-3). That is, “Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end” (Psalm 73:17).
Jesus didn’t rebuke His disciples, like other times, “You men of little faith” (e.g. Matthew 8:26). Instead He acknowledged their great sacrifice and encouraged them with promise of their coming reward. Clearly rewards were not the motivation for following Christ—that would be self-serving to say the least. Peter expressed their motive this way, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Rewards are meant for the encouragement of those who are already following the Lord, to help them carry on in their sacrifice.
Awaiting the disciples was a privileged place in the kingdom, sitting on twelve thrones with Christ, in authority over Israel. As disciples their earthly place was low, but their reward will be exalted. Sacrifice now is nothing to be compared to the eternal glory coming (see 2 Cor 4:17). What a disciple gives up to follow Christ will be replaced with something far better, even here on earth. Flesh and blood family may reject him, but he will gain a spiritual family far greater. God’s ordering of things will be reversed of what seems intuitive now.
Lord, thank you for the prospect of eternal rewards with You in eternity. That gives me encouragement when I think of what I have given up here.
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