The Gospel of Mark: The Last will be first

Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” ~ Mark 10:28-31


As much as the disciples often don't get it, Peter has a point here.

They have literally left everything behind.

I'm not sure if Peter is exasperated here with Jesus or if he's simply stating a fact.

Either way, it does feel as if Jesus is offering him both reassurance and a caution.

Reassurance that this isn't all for nothing. That even though family has been left behind, a new family has come in its place.

That there is still a home. There is still meaning.

But then there's that little bit added in: persecutions. Yes, along with a new life, there will be persecutions.

Even that, however, is not the end.

That reminds me that the gospel - the good news itself - always comes with both reassurance and caution. The good news is comforting. But it also challenges us. It also expects things of us.

It tells us that there will be suffering. But in the midst of that, also eternal joy.

Holy God, thank you for the gospel - the good news - of your Son. Open my mind and heart to this good news and enliven me with your Spirit of servanthood that I might share this good news with a world in need. Amen



Engagement Question:


How do you feel both comforted and challenged by the good news of Jesus?

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