THE REWARDS OF FOLLOWING JESUS

Passage: Matthew 19:23-30

Key verse: 29

NIV

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich(A) to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 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.”

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”(B)

27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you!(C) What then will there be for us?”

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne,(D) you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.(E) 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[a] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.(F) 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.(G)

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 19:29 Some manuscripts do not have or wife.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, (A)only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 (B)Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter (C)the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus (D)looked at them and said, (E)“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, (F)we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world,[a] (G)when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me (H)will also sit on twelve thrones, (I)judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 (J)And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold[b] and will (K)inherit eternal life. 30 But (L)many who are (M)first will be last, and the last first.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 19:28 Greek in the regeneration
  2. Matthew 19:29 Some manuscripts manifold
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. With God all things are possible (23-26)

Jesus was sorry when the rich young man went away. He commented on how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Indeed, it is impossible for any person to save himself. But with God, all things are possible. When we simply come to Jesus and follow him, trusting him for our salvation, he does not fail. He keeps his promises and gives life, peace and the kingdom of God.

2. We have left everything (27-30)

Peter and the disciples had left everything to follow Jesus. But they still had some things to leave--their selfish ambition, their pride, their own ideas. But still, they were disciples. They had committed themselves to Jesus, so they would receive the reward he promised. Someday we who belong to Jesus will reign with him; we will receive a hundredfold for all we leave for his sake. A sacrifice made for Jesus' sake and the gospel's is not a sacrifice. It is the only really safe investment.

Prayer: Lord, train me in faith until I can leave everything for your sake.

One Word: For Jesus' sake