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Text: Then answered Peter and said unto him,
Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? Matthew 19:27
Everyone who has taken the
decision to follow Jesus in life and death has a sacrifice to make. Everyone
that served Him in ancient times all left certain things behind. This same
principle applies to receiving from God.
In our text, Peter asked a very
vital question. The answer he got that day kept his faith strong, and he was
more determined and encourage to keep following the master. Believers today
find it difficult to comprehend the reward of the sacrifice and this why they
leave God’s spirit out of some aspect of their lives.
Men of old enjoyed closer walk
with God because they willingly sacrificed many things. And this willingness to
let go of anything for God made them models that study about.
Abraham was a friend of God, even
God vouched for him. He came closer when he was willing and showed readiness to
offer up his only son to God. And the bible says in the book of Romans that all
this things were counted as righteousness unto Abraham.
Elisha wasn’t a pauper; neither
was he a wretch before meeting with Elijah. The Bible records that he was
ploughing on his farm with a yoke of twelve oxen when Elijah saw him and cast
his mantle on him. But, right at that instant, he ran after Elijah, and off he
started. We all know how big he eventually became. 1Kings 19: 19-21.
Joseph sacrificed fleshly
pleasures and its desires while in the house of Portiphar. Had he not fled that
act, it could have been the last time his name would be written in the Bible.
That sacrifice of self denial edged
him closer to fulfillment.
Daniel was another man whose
success story was basically centered on self denial, Daniel 1:8. He got the
earthly reward; an outpour of excellent spirit came upon him.
Even the Apostle of Christ left
all; I mean all! Jesus made them realize that “birds have nest, foxes have
holes, but the Son of Man has no abode”; despite this, they were not moved.
They abandoned their professions, their being. Even Jesus made us know that if
any man will follow Him; he/she must be ready to deny himself, take up his
cross and follow in the footsteps of Christ. (Matthew 16:24).
Remember, there’s nothing as pleasant as being in the service of Christ, there are rewards for this.
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