The Inverse Kingdom
Scripture- Matthew 19:27-30
Then Peter said to him, "We've given up everything to follow you. What will we get?" Jesus replied, "I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then."
Observations:
After watching what appeared to be a sincere seeker walk away from Jesus lost and confused, Jesus' disciples were astounded at how hard it must be for anyone to gain access to the Kingdom of Heaven. After realizing that this kind of access was beyond human ability Peter, concerned for his own soul, asked Jesus what he could expect to get out of following him. Honestly, that's a valid question we all have in the back of our minds. The thought, "is this whole Jesus thing really worth it?" Respectully Jesus used this opportunity to reveal an eternal principle- (the inverse Kingdom) in vs 28-30 "but many who are the greatest now will be the least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then."
Application:
Jesus makes no apology for the cost involved in following Him (i.e. giving up houses, family, relationships, etc.) for the sake of following Him. But at the same time He assures us that there is nothing in this life so valuable that we could ever sacrifice enough to not be worth our while. In fact, our sacrifices are in reality Kingdom investments that will enevitably pay incredible dividends (vs. 29) and on that day all of us will think much differently then about what seems so significant now and will value much more what now seems so insignificant.
Prayer:
Father, help us today to shift our focus from the temporary to the eternal and give us your perspective on the great worth in following Christ. Help us to value what really matters for the sake of your Kingdom and be willing to lay aside those things that keep us from surrendering all for your Kingdom's sake.
Then Peter said to him, "We've given up everything to follow you. What will we get?" Jesus replied, "I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then."
Observations:
After watching what appeared to be a sincere seeker walk away from Jesus lost and confused, Jesus' disciples were astounded at how hard it must be for anyone to gain access to the Kingdom of Heaven. After realizing that this kind of access was beyond human ability Peter, concerned for his own soul, asked Jesus what he could expect to get out of following him. Honestly, that's a valid question we all have in the back of our minds. The thought, "is this whole Jesus thing really worth it?" Respectully Jesus used this opportunity to reveal an eternal principle- (the inverse Kingdom) in vs 28-30 "but many who are the greatest now will be the least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then."
Application:
Jesus makes no apology for the cost involved in following Him (i.e. giving up houses, family, relationships, etc.) for the sake of following Him. But at the same time He assures us that there is nothing in this life so valuable that we could ever sacrifice enough to not be worth our while. In fact, our sacrifices are in reality Kingdom investments that will enevitably pay incredible dividends (vs. 29) and on that day all of us will think much differently then about what seems so significant now and will value much more what now seems so insignificant.
Prayer:
Father, help us today to shift our focus from the temporary to the eternal and give us your perspective on the great worth in following Christ. Help us to value what really matters for the sake of your Kingdom and be willing to lay aside those things that keep us from surrendering all for your Kingdom's sake.
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