TEXT: MARK 10: 28-30
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.
Apostle Peter came to Jesus and asked Him what they will receive for leaving all they have to follow Jesus. This opened the door for our Lord to enlighten him what he has never considered. If for Christ’s sake we lose all that we have, it is not in vain. Many are not growing and maturing in their Christian journey as they should because they still have what they have left behind in their hearts. They are lingering because of these! They are behaving as Lot’s wife behaved and suffered a great harm. Though she was saved from the fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah but she turned to salt because she had the city in her heart. Many do not have total commitment and absolute surrender because of what they have left behind.
To you who are still lingering, Jesus is saying to you, do not turn back. If you have left a friend for the kingdom’s sake, there is no wise that you would not be rewarded. Though things in this world may be against us, there is this hope that we have that Christ will make things right and what we lose because of Him will be given back to us in hundred folds.
This is the reason why we must not turn back. This is what kept Peter going. He followed Jesus to the end because he was told that anything that he has given up for the necessity of following Jesus would not be in vain. They would all be given back in manifolds. This was his hope and not only him but also all the apostles. Reading the history of our beloved church, we will see that Justin Martyr, Ignatius, Perpetua, Felicitas, all counted the cost and thth paid. They followed Jesus knowing that whatever they lose here will be given back in manifolds. Oh, do not turn back for there is a greater reward for you. Your decision to follow Jesus is not in vain. Persevere in tribulation for it is working for your good. No turning back to the world and do not have what you have left behind in the bosom of your heart. Allow them to go and focus on whom you have believed. Empty the heart so Christ will feel at home. Do not be like Mrs Lot who had the city in heart, doing that will drag you back. If you wish to receive the crown, let them all go and persevere. Do not turn back.
Return To Christ 