Then Peter said in reply, "Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" (Matthew 19:27)
What’s in it for me?
It sounds strange hearing that from Peter. Peter is the rock, the foundation upon which the church would some day be built. Peter is Jesus’ closest disciple, isn’t he? When Jesus said, “Follow me,” Peter immediately left everything behind and did just that. But here he wants to know, what’s in it for me?
This is an example of “transactional faith” where discipleship, or following Jesus, is a transaction. It’s like buying a house, or a car, or a pack of gum; I give you my money, you give me a house, or a car, or a pack of gum. Quid pro quo. What then will we have?
The funny thing is, Jesus promises they will get theirs, “a hundredfold,” and “eternal life.” Sounds like a pretty good deal. But then Jesus adds, “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” That sounds like less of a good deal, especially if you are among the first. It’s not very transactional.
Peter will figure it out, eventually. It won’t be easy. First, he will run away, deny, and hide. But through his encounters with the risen Christ, he will come to understand faith and discipleship is its own reward, worth a hundred times its cost. He will discover that faith is like love and the more you give, the more you have.
What then will we have for following Jesus?
The most precious gift of all. A full and abundant life!
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