The year that I last saw my mother alive was 2012 and I’ll never forget that she had a neighbor a few doors down from her. She told me one day that she was recently divorced and had two grown kids from the marriage. By the end of our conversation, I offered her an hour of coaching to help her with the loneliness and depression she was dealing with.
The next day in our coaching session, we got on the subject of the promises of God and I told her that I was accustomed to reminding God every day in my prayers about the promise I was believing in, which is the following:
“Then Peter spoke up, We have left everything to follow you!
Truly I tell you, Jesus replied, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
(Mark 10:28-31) NIV
What does it mean?
1. Following Jesus requires sacrifice.
Peter reminds Jesus that the disciples had left their careers, families, and livelihoods to become His followers. He’s essentially asking, “What will become of us?”
Jesus doesn’t disapprove of what Peter says. Instead, He acknowledges that following Him often requires costly obedience.
When you stand on a big promise from God, it also calls for a great deal of sacrifice. In my leaving Atlanta to relocate to Colombia, I didn’t know it at the time that I left, but it required me to leave all of my family members and friends, not being able to attend holiday parties and other special occasions; including funerals.
2. God rewards faithful obedience.
Jesus promises that those who give up family and things for His kingdom will receive “a hundredfold.”
This doesn’t necessarily mean becoming 100 times wealthier. Rather, it points to God’s abundant provision:
A new spiritual family in the body of Christ.
New opportunities and purpose.
God’s provision for every need.
Eternal life.
God is NOT a man that he should lie and he would never be in a position to owe those who trust Him.
3. Faith doesn’t eliminate hardship.
Jesus includes an important phrase:
“…with persecutions.”
I know from my own decision to follow God’s calling on my life, it doesn’t guarantee an easy life. I’ve experienced extreme opposition from the enemy in my marriage, family back home and in my finances. However, with every adverse situation I’ve had to face, I’ve also had God’s provision.
4. God’s kingdom reverses human values.
Jesus concludes:
“Many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
In God’s kingdom:
Humility is greater than status.
Servanthood is greater than power.
Faithfulness is greater than fame.
Obedience is greater than worldly success.
Those who seem insignificant in this life may receive the greatest honor in God’s kingdom.
God gives the promise. Faith takes the next step. Obedience is the bridge between the promise and the manifestation.
