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Sunday, September 13, 2009
What about us?
Peter said to Jesus, "We left everything we had and followed
you. So what will we have?" Jesus said to the followers, "I
tell you the truth. When the new world is made, the Son of
Man will sit on his great throne. And all of you that
followed me will also sit on thrones. You will sit on twelve
thrones and you will judge the twelve family groups of
Israel. And every person that has left houses, brothers,
sisters, father, mother, children, or farms to follow me will
get much more than he left. And that person will have life
forever. Many people that have the highest place in life now
will have the lowest place in the future. And many people
that have the lowest place now will have the highest place in
the future.
-- Matthew 19:27-30 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
At first glance, Peter's statement and question seem very
self-promoting. The question, however, is more his looking for
re-assurance that they have indeed tried to follow him. They had, in
fact, left everything to follow him. While they had not always
understood or chosen the proper course, they had sacrificed everything
to follow him. We must not discount the great sacrifices these 12 had
made. When Jesus is crucified, it had to make their devastation all the
more severe. Jesus does not rebuke Peter. Instead, like he had done for
so many others who were desperate for his care and cure, he affirms
him. In the same way, if we truly surrender our lives in obedience to
Jesus Christ as Lord, he promises us very much the same kind of
blessing. Just as we cannot out sacrifice God, neither can we begin to
imagine his ultimate blessings for us who loved him and sought to
faithfully follow him!
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Almighty and gracious God, I trust in your promises. Please give me the
courage to live with radical faith in Jesus as Lord knowing that any
hardship here will not go unnoticed and unrewarded by your grace. In
Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Categories: None
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