30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 18 18-30 FOLLOWING JESUS TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE 17 The outcome of following Jesus
📖 Luke 18:18-30
14Oct2020 - *The outcome of following Jesus* - _Luke 18:18-30_ - FOLLOWING JESUS TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE 17 – Bible reading: _Matthew 19:27-29_
How do we understand the statement that Peter made? _Luke 18:28 Then Peter said, *"See, we have left all and followed You."*_
Matthew adds to the statement of Peter, as a question. _Matthew 19:27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?"
Were they hoping to benefit out of forsaking all and following Jesus? Surely, they had eternal life but was there a hidden desire in the heart of the disciples? We will address this matter soon but for the time being, let us focus on the response that Jesus gave to Peter and to the disciples.
_Luke 18:29 So He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, (30) who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life."_
Jesus is telling us that following Jesus will cause a revision in relationship priorities.
This does not mean that as disciples of Jesus, we are to break away from our closest of relationships. The call is to now see all relationships from the perspective of our foundation, who is Jesus. The Lord promises us that as followers of Jesus, our relationships will gain, in all aspects, multiple times more in this present time. We will also have eternal life in the age which is to come.
The Levites were those who chose to be true to God and not participate with their brethren as they grumbled, complained and quarrelled with Moses at the waters of Massah and Meribah.
_Deuteronomy 33:8-11 And of Levi he said: "Let Your Thummim and Your Urim be with Your holy one, Whom You tested at Massah, And with whom You contended at the waters of Meribah, (9) Who says of his father and mother, 'I have not seen them'; Nor did he acknowledge his brothers, Or know his own children; For they have observed Your word And kept Your covenant. (10) They shall teach Jacob Your judgments, And Israel Your law. They shall put incense before You, And a whole burnt sacrifice on Your altar. (11) Bless his substance, LORD, And accept the work of his hands; Strike the loins of those who rise against him, And of those who hate him, that they rise not again."_
_Mark 10:29-30 So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, (30) who shall 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._
Mark adds that besides gaining much in the present age, we will also experience persecution. _Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."_
Matthew shows us an exciting picture. We will be judging with the Lord in His kingdom. We will have roles and responsibilities and therefore, let us be ready, for we have much work to do in the next age.
_Matthew 19:28-29 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (29) And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life._
The call is to realise that those of us who intend to play it safe, by saving our life here and also benefit from eternal life, are in a for a rude shock. _Mark 8:35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it._
*Thought to ponder*
```Are you ready to say, “Christ is enough for me”?```