THE DISCIPLES were some-1 Times very much surprised by what Jesus did and said, and one day His words made them “exceedingly amazed.”
They had always thought it was easier for rich people to be saved than for poor people. Now Jesus was saying that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
You see, the disciples had forgotten that a poor man only has God to trust in, while a rich man has his riches as well. Very often he trusts in riches and forgets God. It is a dreadful thing to trust only in riches and forget God, and it is only God who can so change a rich man’s heart that he turns away from his riches to trust in God, But God can do it. When the disciples asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus answered, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
Peter did a bit of thinking just then, and then he said to Jesus, “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore?” He wanted to know what reward they would get, would it be treasure in heaven, or treasure on earth, or both?
How graciously the Lord Jesus answered him. He knew they had all given up something already, and they would be found ready to give up more yet, even to laying down their lives for His sake and the gospel’s. The reward He prosed them would be great indeed: He promised them each a throne.
“Verily I say unto you,” He said, “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. And every one that has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
There were twelve apostles and there will be twelve thrones, but when Jesus said “every one,” He reached down to you and me. He promised that every one who gives up anything for His name’s sake will be rewarded, will receive a hundred times as much now, and eternal life for his inheritance.
But though Jesus answered Peter so graciously, He gave him a warning, and the warning is for us too. He said, “But many first shall be last, and the last shall be first.”
Go, labor on; spend, and be spent,
Thy joy to do the Father’s will;
It is the way the Master went;
Should not the servant tread it still!
ML-05/09/1976