Jesus has just finished his little speel saying, "If you really want to follow me, give up everything you have." Our friend Peter, being ever headstrong, elbows his way to the front and asks, face-to-face, in a way that most would declare ignorant and even foolish, "So we leave everything and follow you; now what do we get out of it?" Those around him gasp, others flinch, still some lean forward, waiting for God to rain fire and brimstone upon this infidel. Peter's eyes blaze: he has to know.
Jesus does not rebuke him, does not tell him to be more spiritual, does not chastise his deser's. Jesus says, "In the re:creation of the world, when the Son of Man will rule gloriously, you who have followed me will also rule, starting with the twelve tribes of Israel. And not only you, but anyone who sacrifices home, family, fields - whatever - because of me will get it all back a hundred times over, not to mention the bonus of eternal life. This is the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first."
What do we get out of it? Whatever we give up for God, he'll give it right back to us, with unbelievable interest. And we'll be able to enjoy eternal life: that doesn't just mean life lasting forever, but also life lived to the fullness. We won't spend eternity playing harps and singing in choirs in the clouds. We will dance, run, fly, swim, laugh in a new world, with new canyons and forests and oceans and wildlife. We will live a life of worship, a life of laughter in the Trinity, with no worries, no cares, no deadlines - only joy, happiness, excitement, fun. This is the reward of the one who follows Christ.
Jesus does not rebuke him, does not tell him to be more spiritual, does not chastise his deser's. Jesus says, "In the re:creation of the world, when the Son of Man will rule gloriously, you who have followed me will also rule, starting with the twelve tribes of Israel. And not only you, but anyone who sacrifices home, family, fields - whatever - because of me will get it all back a hundred times over, not to mention the bonus of eternal life. This is the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first."
What do we get out of it? Whatever we give up for God, he'll give it right back to us, with unbelievable interest. And we'll be able to enjoy eternal life: that doesn't just mean life lasting forever, but also life lived to the fullness. We won't spend eternity playing harps and singing in choirs in the clouds. We will dance, run, fly, swim, laugh in a new world, with new canyons and forests and oceans and wildlife. We will live a life of worship, a life of laughter in the Trinity, with no worries, no cares, no deadlines - only joy, happiness, excitement, fun. This is the reward of the one who follows Christ.
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