Matthew 19:25-30

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, 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 fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. – Matthew 19:25-30

Dear Jesus,

Peter was just like me.  I worry that you might miss something and not see how devoted I am.  How silly.  You miss nothing.  I love your answer to Peter, “When you follow me in faith you receive eternal life and still get all kinds of blessings in this life.  You cannot lose when you follow me.”  It must have put his anxious heart to rest.  But then you reminded him that in your church all people are given the same grace and blessing.  The last will be just like the first.  If it were not this way it would not be grace.  I get it.  Help me to “get” grace when I am hanging out with your saints.  All people get the same grace from you.  So, all people will get the same respect and grace from me.  The least is as wonderful as the greatest.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

There are not good sinners and bad sinners in Christ’s family, only forgiven sinners.