MARK 10:28-3128Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. (Mark 10:28‑31).
WHEN Peter heard what Jesus said about riches, he said to Jesus, “Lo, we have left all, and have followed Thee.” Jesus then began to show them how much was to be gained in doing so. He said, “Verily I say unto you, there is none that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
Just think, dear children, “a hundredfold now in this time,” and in the world to come eternal life! What a wonderful gain! Is it not worthwhile, then, to follow Jesus? There may be persecution; but that will soon come to an end, and then an eternity with Jesus! But even in this life Jesus promises a hundredfold gain, along with the persecutions. If persecution comes, Jesus is with us in it, and sustains us, and fills us with “joy unspeakable and full of glory” in the midst of it. See 1 Peter 1:6 8. The unbeliever does not know anything about this. He does not understand how a Christian can suffer for Christ, and be happy in it. But the believer understands it, when he has proved the truth of it by being faithful to Christ among His enemies.
Trials may come, and will come, if we are faithful to Christ; but we need not fear. Jesus can deliver from the trial, or if He sees it best that we should suffer it, He will sustain us in it, and fill our hearts with comfort. And when all the trials here are over, He will take us where He is, where the joy and the glory exceed all that tongue can tell. Oh! we cannot measure the unspeakable blessedness we shall have with Jesus. Let us, then, dear children, own Jesus as our Saviour, and follow Him, till He takes us to be with Himself.
ML 03/30/1902