Mark 10:27-31: a reflection

27Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.” 28Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left all and have followed you.” 29Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, 30but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

When Peter, a little anxiously, points out that he and the others have left everything to follow Jesus, Jesus responds with a lavish promise. There is no one who has left house or family or lands for my sake and the gospel, he says, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and family and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come, eternal life. Whatever we give up for Christ, he promises to repay abundantly, a hundredfold, both now and forever.

Notice the generosity of the promise, and its honesty. Jesus does not pretend that following him costs nothing; there is real leaving, real sacrifice, and he even names persecutions as part of the present package. But he insists that no one out-gives him; what we surrender for his sake is repaid a hundredfold, in a new family of faith, in provision, in the fullness of life with him now, and in eternal life to come. Christ is no one's debtor; he repays what is given up for him beyond all measure.

That is worth holding when following Christ asks something costly of you, a relationship, a comfort, a security, a plan you must give up for his sake. The giving up is real, and Jesus does not minimize it. But neither does he leave you the loser for it. He promises a hundredfold return, now and forever. You cannot out-give God; whatever you surrender for Christ, he repays abundantly. When following him costs you something, remember his promise, and trust that he is no one's debtor. What you give up for him, he will repay a hundredfold.

Lord Jesus, you promise that whatever we give up for your sake will be repaid a hundredfold, now and in eternal life, and you are no one's debtor. When following you costs me something real, a comfort, a relationship, a security I must surrender, help me not to count myself the loser. Thank you that you do not minimize the cost, and yet repay it beyond all measure. I cannot out-give you; help me give up gladly what you ask, trusting your abundant repayment.