For the last few days, we have been considering an interaction between Jesus and the rich young man who desired to know how to have eternal life. When he assured Jesus that he had kept all the commandments from childhood, Jesus called his bluff. Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and join the team of disciples. But…the man could not leave behind his god of money. The conversation caused Peter to make an assertion. The disciples had left everything to follow Jesus. Peter had left a thriving fishing business, so what would be the disciples’ reward?

Can you relate to Peter? “Lord, look at all the sacrifices I have made for you. What’s in it for me?”  Here’s Peter’s statement and the Lord’s response.

Mark 10:28-31
Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Jesus assured Peter that his sacrifice would be rewarded. For now, all the sacrifices of family would be multiplied with all the blessings of Christ’s Body—the Church. In the future, there would be eternal life. And…along the way, there would also be persecution. Jesus’ point to Peter was clear—all sacrifice would be rewarded now and “in the age to come.” The eternal scene will look like this: Those who stood in the front of the line during their days on earth will move to the back of the line. And those who sacrificed much during their lifetimes will be moved to the front of the line.

Years ago, I heard a story about a missionary couple who returned from years overseas. They both had sacrificed much to serve far from home. As the ship pulled into the harbor, they saw a great crowd. A band was playing, and balloons filled the air. For a moment, the couple thought the celebration might be for them, but they learned that the crowd had gathered for a wealthy celebrity. “That’s about right,” the husband said to his wife. “We have sacrificed everything for Christ, and there is no one to greet us. The self-serving celebrity goes on one trip and returns to this.” As discouragement crept into their hearts, they heard God’s still small voice whisper, “Cheer up. You’re not home yet.”

Father, remind us often that the sacrifices and sufferings of the present do not compare to the glory we will know and experience forever…when we are finally home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.