27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, 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 children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”
In our verses for today, Pete boldly pipes up with the question I am confident the other eleven desired to know the answer to as well. Isn’t it great to have a Peter around to ask all the uncomfortable questions we are afraid to ask yet curiously desire to know the answer! To be sure, our Lord’s reply confirms one cannot out give God. Whatever “measly” pittance we give up in this earthly life will be so richly rewarded we will certainly end up being overwhelmed – wide eyed and open mouthed. Jesus tells us similar Words in Mark:
29 “I tell you the truth,” 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 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Mark 10:29-31 (NIV)
Paul also declares to us these enticing words in 1 Corinthians quoting from the Prophet Isaiah:
9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” -- 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. 1 Cor 2:9-10 (NIV)
In God’s economy, He considers the investing of our resources, time and talents in the eternal as being far superior to our merely tinkering with the temporal. No matter how alluring the world may appear, it’s a bad deal compared to the kingdom of God. The former will one day vanish like smoke, the latter will inherit all wealth and it is a wealth that is everlasting. It is like desiring to own a small sandbox (and one that is fleeting) in lieu of owning the seashore (and one that is eternal) – no comparison. Yet we appear to be bent on pursuing earthly pleasure and baubles at an alarming rate. There is always bigger and better and more and more and more - ever wearing ourselves out and being sucked into the abyss of tarnished excess. In Mark, Jesus uses a penetrating rhetorical question – presented in economic terms - to demonstrate to us the folly of living for what will one day perish compared to the supreme value of the eternal:
36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36-37 (NIV)
“The greatness of a man’s life is the power of his surrender.” William Booth
On the other hand, “things” in and of themselves are not intrinsically bad either – it is our overwhelming insatiable desire for them that is wrong. God gives us all things for our enjoyment and pleasure yet He clearly does not want us to live (and die) for them. He wants us to have the correct perspective on them - living life with open hands – not grasping hold of anything or anyone too tightly rather loosely. It is the Lord’s prerogative to give and it is His to take away - always for our good and His glory. Do we use what He bestows upon us as tools to glorify Him or simply as tools to make our heaven here? We should always be grateful for all the many blessings He has given us but even more grateful for knowing God Himself for He is the far greater blessing – our infinitely worthwhile Treasure Who lavishes imperishable gifts upon us all.
“The world seems very little to a soul that contemplates the greatness of God.” Brother Lawrence
“Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth!” Jim Elliot
“He is present and precious to His own.” Hudson Taylor
These gifts cannot be taken away and they are immediately accessible - the greatest gift being the precious Holy Spirit. Our hearts are where our treasure is furthermore any treasure deposited in heaven can never be lost, stolen or destroyed. In the Sermon on the Mount our Lord teaches us:
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:19-21 (NIV)