In their own words: Day 8

Day 8 - Matt 19.27

Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’

A rich young man has come to Jesus, asking to follow him. Jesus has told him that to do so, he must give away all that he has. His great wealth will get in the way of his discipleship. The young man feels that he  can’t do this, and walks away.

The disciples are shocked at the demand Jesus seems to have made. It is Peter, as ever, who voices their thoughts. They have given up a lot to follow him – but is it enough, and what will their reward be for doing this?
Jesus answers that there will be rich rewards “at the renewal of all things”, but offers no short term benefits. If we follow him for what we think we can get as a result, we will be disappointed. The path of discipleship isn’t a bargain we strike with God, but something we was because it is right in itself.

Matthew was surely writing with his own audience in mind, the early Christian church, whose members suffered loss and persecution, and no doubt often asked the question, “What’s the point?”

Have there been times when you have wondered why you bother with faith or with God? What has kept you going?