So what have I left? Have I left anything to follow Jesus? Would I give everything away? Would I give my life for him? So many questions ran through my mind as I was reading these scriptures. Does Jesus really intend for us to give everything away? Does he really want us to leave the people we know and love? The answer to me is yes and no. If he calls us and specifically tells us to leave or to give something up we should, but we can’t just leave everything to proclaim that we are following him if he did not ask us to do so. To me, Jesus’ directions for this man were literal and perhaps for others as well, but for all of us he is saying leave it, give it all away spiritually speaking. What I mean is that he is telling us do not cling to the things of this world; do not put even those we love before him. Jesus is telling us that although we obey all the rules, the commandments, that this alone does not pave the road to heaven. We have to let go of what we think is important, we have to hold loosely to the things of this world and hold tight to our Father, Jesus Christ. He is the only one who will never fail us, he is the only truth, and he is the only way through this world.
Everything belongs to Jesus anyway, so why should I worry so much about giving things up or giving things away---isn’t he the one that blesses me with all that I have anyways? Did you notice verses 29 and 30….. “I tell you the truth,” 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---and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. Isn’t he saying that he will just continue to bless us, not just continue but gives us even more than we had once we give it up? So why, why is he asking us to give things up? He doesn’t need anything that we have, but he wants to know that he is first; he wants to know that he is our one and only great love. He wants us to give up what we have so he can bless us by taking care of our every need. However, notice the last part in parenthesis… ‘and with them, persecutions’. I could not help but think of Paul when I read those words, we will be persecuted, we will face persecution in all that we do, but we have to stand as Paul stood with boldness and conviction. His words in II Corinthians remind me of his deep conviction and love for our Savior.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (12:9-10)
With all this we have to rest upon Jesus’ final words in this message to his disciples…. ‘’and in age to come, eternal life.’ Isn’t that our goal, isn’t that why we chose Jesus, isn’t that why Christ died for us? He loves us so much that he wants us to be with him in a home he has built for us for all eternity…has anyone loved you more?
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