Daily Devotional – Thursday, December 9, 2021
Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”
Mark 10:28 (NKJV)
“Is your life not very boring, Jeff?” Tyson asked. “How can you live without liquor, drugs, gambling, women and other goodies of life? You are missing out on a lot, my friend!”
“I don’t think so,” Jeff replied. “It is you who is missing out on the really important issues in life. How do you live without genuine peace, love, faith hope, love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control and faith?” (Galatians 5:22-23).
For a moment, there was heavy silence. Tyson the bully was in deep thought.
Jeff continued. “What hope do you have beyond the grave? Of what benefit will it be if you gain the whole world but lose your life eternally? I rather miss out on your-so-called goodies of life and inherit everlasting life.”
That was the last time Tyson mocked Jeff. Not long after, the bully surrendered his life to Jesus.
What are the advantages of following Jesus?
The question of the advantages of following Jesus Christ vis-à-vis enjoying the pleasures of the world is not new. Jesus answered it in response to Peter’s statement, “See, we have left all and followed You.” (Mark 10:28).
Among the disciples were fishermen who had left their boats and nets to follow Jesus. Matthew had forsaken the lucrative office of tax collector for the service of Jesus Christ. Each of Jesus’ followers had sacrificed something or someone important to serve in God’s kingdom.
The Lord’s message, therefore, must have reassured them:
“Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall 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.” (Mark 10:29-30).
Key Lessons for Christians
- There are rewards in this life for the followers of Jesus. Ours is not supposed to be a miserable, survivalist life as we await Christ’s return. Jesus came that we might live abundantly (John 10:10).
- Christians will face persecution. As long as we live by values that contradict those of the sin-filled world, we will undergo trials (1 Peter 4:12-16).
- The most important and enduring reward for becoming a disciple of Christ is eternal life (John 3:16).
In essence, if you follow Christ faithfully, you are a winner in this world and the one to come.
Lord Jesus, I am taking up my cross and will follow You wherever You lead.
Timely message thank you… I’ve got friends like Tyson I’ve got a message to share with them now.
Indeed Christ promised us an exemplary life as Christians, joyful , abundant life it’s the enemy who wants to dissociate us from that life with things that do not really satisfy but leaves us empty.. true satisfaction & fulfillment we can only find in Christ.
We cannot loose when Jesus we choose.. winners today and forever.
Amen, Charles. Indeed, anything we do out of Christ is vanity and willnnot last. We should seek His kingdom first because He will givr us all the other things.