Then Peter answered and said to Him, “see, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” (Matthew 19:27).
This narrative is about a rich young ruler, a man who wanted to follow Jesus and maintain his wealth and status, but Jesus said to him, “if you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21). The wealthy young man went away sorrowful as he kept his earthly wealth but gave up heaven’s treasure! At this point, Peter said, “see we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” (Matthew 19:27). Before we examine Jesus’ answer, we must examine Peter’s statement. In his statement, he says, “see we have left all and followed You.” Peter is saying it is noticeable and apparent that they had given everything up in order to follow Jesus! The disciples had denied themselves, taken up their cross, and followed their Savior! That is the cost of discipleship- not first century discipleship, but 21st-century discipleship! Discipleship in any century demands total loyalty, total obedience, and to give up everything for Christ!
Peter then asks Jesus, “what shall we have?” (Matthew 19:27). Since they had given up everything, was there any reward? Jesus’ reply is amazingly comforting. He says, “assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matthew 19:28-30).
Pastor Don