The rich young man went away sorrowful. His possessions meant more to him than the lowly Jesus. It is always sad when one who has had to do with the Lord, goes away sorrowful. The Lord would certainly have it otherwise, for it is His joy to bless. What greater privilege is there, what pathway more rewarding, than to follow in the footsteps of the blessed Saviour?
The Lord uses this occasion to illustrate the blinding effect of riches on those who would seek to enter the kingdom of heaven. “Verily I say unto you,” He says, “That a rich man shall hardly [with difficulty] enter into the kingdom of heaven.” He doesn’t say he cannot enter in, but it is with difficulty. How often does wealth or anything that gives a man advantage or position in this world prove a hindrance to the working of the Spirit of God in him. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” The disciples, who evidently were led to regard riches as a sign of God’s blessing on a Jew, are astonished at such teaching. They ask, “Who then can be saved?” But the Lord goes on to point out to them that what is an impossibility to man naturally is not an impossibility with God. “With God all things are possible.”
Peter then tells the Lord how they had forsaken all and followed Him and wishes to know what their reward would be. The Lord gives him a very blessed answer. “Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” The Lord will work a great change in this world in that day when He sits on the throne of His glory, and the disciples are to have a special place of honor in association with Him in it.
The Profit of Loss
Furthermore, nothing that a believer does or suffers for the Lord will be forgotten of Him in the day of His kingdom. “Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” Eternal life is the present possession of every believer, but it is also looked at as future as well. It dwells in the heart of the believer now, but here it looks on to the glory where it will be enjoyed in all its fullness. When speaking of sufferings for and with Christ, we are reminded of the words of the Apostle who endured sufferings in a way that perhaps none other has since the Lord was on earth: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:1818For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)). Again, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Phil. 3:7-87But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:7‑8)).
“But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first,” the Lord tells us, for it is not according to man’s estimate but according to the estimate of Him who has both called and chosen them.
Further Meditation
1. Why were the disciples alarmed when they heard how hard it was for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven?
2. What other rewards does the Bible say can be received by a believer?
3. To look at a time when rewards will be given consider reading The Judgment Seat of Christ: for Believers by G. H. Hayhoe.