Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my name’s sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. (Matthew 19:23-30, NRSVue)
So as I read this passage for this devotional, a passage I have read at least 4 to 5 times to write devotionals for, given I have been writting these daily devotionals since 02/15/2012 and that is 14 years ago and on a three year cycle of daily readings that is at least 4 times, I read Peter’s reply as a selfish rant. “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” I left everything for you and now you’re telling us this? What am I going to get for all I have given?
Do we follow Jesus because of what we will get? Peter is the one whom the Roman Catholics say was the first Pope, the first head of the church, and he is a whiny little brat who is entitled and wants his due reward.
But you know what, this actually gives me hope. Hope for those moments I am thinking only about myself and what I have given up and what I am missing out on. When Peter is in this mindset, that means there is hope for me and all of us.
So never worry if you think what do I get, but remember we have already received the greatest gift, God’s love.
aSacredRebel 