Peter: What Can We Learn From Peter's Life?Näide

"We Have Left Everything."

Jesus, once again, astonished His disciples when He stated that it is difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Why was this such a surprising statement? In Jewish culture at the time, it was thought that wealth was a sign of the Lord’s favour. The wealthy must therefore be close to God. In the minds of the disciples, it should not have been at all difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God.

Jesus had challenged a rich young man to sell everything he possessed, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow Him. While this would be a release of earthly treasures, it would produce treasure in heaven. The young man was incapable of rising to the challenge, but Peter pointed out to Jesus that he and the other disciples had in fact already followed this directive. They had left everything behind to follow Him: their livelihoods, their families, their hometowns, their way of life. Peter wanted to know more about the treasures in heaven that Jesus had spoken of. Was there to be a reward for their sacrifice?

Jesus spoke of a special role the disciples would have in His Kingdom, but also expanded His answer to include all who would sacrifice for His name’s sake. The reward was to be very great, with the ultimate prize being eternal life.

Following Jesus surely had many ups and downs for Peter. There would have been great exhilaration but also great challenges as he learned to think and act like Jesus while participating in His ministry around the country. Travelling with Jesus was a nomadic lifestyle that wouldn’t always have been comfortable. And not everyone was receptive to Jesus - He and his disciples dealt with opposition. Perhaps Peter sometimes wondered if it was worth it, or longed for the familiarity of his home and wife. But Jesus knew what He was asking of Peter and the others. It was no more than what He asked of Himself: to single-mindedly follow the call of God wherever that would lead and whatever that would take. Just as Jesus would be rewarded by the Father for His obedience (Philippians 2:8-11), so Jesus promised reward to all who would follow in His footsteps.

Reflection:

What are you willing to sacrifice to follow the call of God on your life?