5 We have left everything
The rich young ruler had walked away from Jesus. His riches could not save him. Indeed Jesus had said that his riches had been an impediment: they had prevented him from entering the kingdom.
The thunderstruck disciples now considered themselves. If it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom, what chance did they have? Peter spoke up for them. He said to Jesus:
“We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” Matthew 19: 27 [NIV]
They had left their families, their jobs, their homes, their boats and some of them their reputations in order to follow Jesus.
Jesus still calls us to give up everything when we first believe. He tells us to take up our cross and to follow him: to die to our old selves and live only for him. But with our commitment, there comes a precious promise:
“I tell you the truth...,” Jesus said to them, “everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Verses 28, 29
Do you feel that you have had to make sacrifices to follow Jesus? Jesus promises that the riches of eternity will more than compensate.
William Booth founded the Salvation Army. When he was asked to explain the phenomenal impact of his life, he replied
"For the last eighty years, God has had all that there is of William Booth.”
Lord, please help me not to hold back, but to give you my all. I know that your grace and mercy will never disappoint me.
David Long
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