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 NLT
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.
Related Scripture Readings
- Luke 22:25-30
- 1 Cor. 6:1-2
- Rom. 8:18
About This Devotional
What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.
What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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