Written ~ 01-25-2024
Read Matthew Chapter Nineteen
Matthew 19
First off in this chapter we see in verses 19:1-12, the Pharisees trying to trip up Jesus by asking Him some difficult questions. I love how Jesus responds to them, if you notice He answers with Scripture. The truth of God’s Word is the best defense when the enemy is trying to trap you into doing or saying something wrong. The rest of the chapter Jesus is talking to His disciples. When little children are brought to Jesus to be blessed and the disciples try to shoo them away Jesus used it as a learning experience for them. The disciples thought the children were being a nuisance, but Jesus pointed out that all of us should come to Him as little children, innocent and full of wonder. In verse 19:14, “Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Then in verses 19:16-26, a rich man comes to Jesus and asked what he must do to have eternal life. When Jesus gives him the answer he was disappointed, he wasn’t able to do the things Jesus required and sadly walked away.
Now look at verse 19:27, I just love Peter, it seems he is always the first to speak and ask questions when he is unsure of the point Jesus is trying to get across.
Matthew 19:27,
27 Then Peter said to Him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?”
When the rich man was unable to sell off his possessions and give up everything to follow Jesus that’s when he walked away from following the Lord. Now it seems Peter is thinking about himself and the other disciples, they did give up everything to follow Jesus, so I can completely understand his curiosity by asking Jesus this question.
And here is the response Jesus gives His disciples (and to us! Vs 29)
Matthew 19:28-30,
28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon is glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
So, as we consider what is important to us while we live our lives in this fallen world, let’s ponder over what Jesus said in verse 19:30, “…many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then…”
If we look at the world today, men and women who pursue wealth and power here on earth but disregard their need for Jesus will miss out on the glory of heaven! They are getting their glory and prestige now when it doesn’t matter. When the wealthy are asked what they want from life, their answer is usually, “I want more,” their wealth has consumed them. If you were to ask any one of the billionaire men or women to give up everything they have to follow Jesus, how many do you think would actually do it? Celebrities and athlete’s make millions of dollars for entertainment and sport, but if they don’t know Jesus would they give it all up to follow Him? These are the people who get a lot of attention… billionaires who make incredible progress in technology or gain wealth in real estate or a product that has been in their families for generations. Actors, musicians, social media influencers, athletes, for example, they all make a tremendous amount of money for our entertainment, they are exalted as being the best in their field, their celebrity is worshiped. But without Jesus all of it is meaningless! Without Jesus, “…many who are the greatest now will be least important then…” If their hearts, minds and souls can’t be turned to Jesus, all of the wealth earned here on earth will not go with them when they die! And they will not inherit anything in the Kingdom of Heaven.
So who does Jesus say will “…receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life…”
Those who come to Him as little children… verse 19:14.
Those who give up their earthly possessions and follow Him… verse 19:21
Jesus reiterates this in verse 19:29, “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.”
So, for those of us who may not have what the world would consider wealth to be, if our hearts, minds and souls have been completely given over to serving the Lord and only serving Him, we have gained an eternity of treasure. And that treasure, the wealth we find in Jesus is so much more fulfilling than anything we can find to fill the void in our lives while here on earth.
My goal in life is to be one of “…those who seem least important now… but will be the greatest then…”
~AMEN~