Last shall be first
Mark 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
The rich young man left Jesus when he was told to give his riches to the poor, and to follow Jesus. Peter, who saw Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, speaks up that he and the other eleven had given up all and have followed him. All but Judas Iscariot who coveted money. It would be Judas' love of money that would cause him to betray the Lord.
Mark 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
Mark 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
You can't outgive the Lord. If we leave family, we will receive many more in their place. There will be no lack of houses to receive you. Also persecutions; to follow Jesus identifies us with the one the world hated and rejected, for no reason of his own, it was their sins.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
It will be worth it to leave all things for Jesus and to receive persecutions with the new family of saints. The reward is eternal life in the kingdom to come.
Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Mark 10:31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
Prominence in the world of church does not make one necessarily above a humble prayer person. God looks upon the heart and some who receive him at the last minute shall receive as much as a long time servant. God rewards in his way as in the parable of the laborers.
Mat 20:8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
Mat 20:9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
Mat 20:10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
Mat 20:11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
Mat 20:12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
Mat 20:13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
Mat 20:14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
Mat 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
Mat 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
If we are chosen we all benefit by the Lord's grace, not by our works but by his grace. If we are not truly his, we lose out. What is greater than following our Lord unto eternal life? Every good work for the Lord shall be rewarded.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
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