What is in it for us?

Saturday 5-2-15 (Los Altares, Argentina)

Scripture reading:     1 Chron  16      Ps 106      Matt 19

S.  Matt 19:27-28a  Then Peter said to him, "We've given up everything to follow you.  What will we get out of it?"  And Jesus replied, "I assure you that… Vs 29-30 …everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will have eternal life.  But many who seem to be important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then.  NLT

O.  A wealthy man has asked Jesus what he has to do to have eternal life.  Jesus gives him a standard Jewish answer about obeying the laws of Moses.  “Oh that?  I already do all that stuff ever since childhood, so I qualify!”  Then Jesus adds an additional clarification: “Wonderful!  Now go and sell all you own and give it to the poor and come and follow me.” Jesus did not make this requirement of everyone.  He saw into his heart that his many possessions were possessing him.  Now Peter gets into the act with a little bragging.  “Look at us, Jesus.  We have left everything to come and follow you.  What’s in it for us?”   

A.  Say I have just moved my family to a new location.  Now let’s find a church. “Honey, here’s one on internet.”  “Come to our church here on the hill.  All the rich and well educated are here.  We guarantee you and your family happiness, health and lots of money!”  How does one choose a church anyway?  Probably in some cases it is ‘how will it benefit my business?’  Doctrine is not high on the scale of importance.  Most probably do the hit and miss thing.  A few Sunday morning visits to a variety of churches to get the feeling… and the one that feels best wins.  Maybe we are doing Peter’s, “What is in it for us?” 

P.  Lord, I might do the same thing.  We all want to find the place we are comfortable, maybe the least demanding and the one that promises the most for our family.  But Lord Jesus, I notice that You look a little deeper than most of us.  You look at our hidden idols and ask us to sell them and start giving away the proceeds.  About that time most of us are seeking a less demanding gospel on another corner.  Help us to examine our hearts and choose to become true, sold out Christians for You.  Amen.

Ralph