Contrast, 12

~ Contrast: Human Relationships vs. Divine Relationships ~

 

Series Comment ~ The Scripture contains many contrasts.  In this series we look briefly at some of them.  Just like in our “Binary” series many of these contrasts represent a choice of this or that.

 

Scripture ~ “So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, 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 lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first’” (Matthew 19:28-30).

 

“So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,  who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time — houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions — and in the age to come, eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Mark 10:29-31).

 

Comment  ~  In some cultures confessing Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord can cause you to be totally cutoff from your family.  I knew a young man whose family actually held a funeral for him after cutting him off from all relationships.  Being disowned by family can also be much more subtle – but not necessarily any less painful.  In these two parallel passages Jesus is assuring us that any loss we experience for Him will be made up for many times over! 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW 

 

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