Conclusion of Jesus And A Rich Young Ruler

"In the re-creation," Jesus promises "when the Son of man sits down upon his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also yourselves sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Yes, Jesus is showing that there will be a re-creation of conditions on earth so that things will be as they were in the garden of Eden. And Peter and the other disciples will receive the reward of ruling with Christ over this earth-wide Paradise. Surely, such such a grand reward is worth any sacrifice!

However, even now there are rewards, as Jesus firmly states: " No one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news who wil not get a hundredfold now in this period of time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, with persecutions, and in the coming system of things everlasting life."

As Jesus promises, whereever in the world his disciples go, they enjoy a relationship with fellow Christians that is closer and more precious than that enjoyed with natural family members. The rich young ruler apparently loses out on both this reward and that of everlasting life in God's heavenly Kingdom.

Afterward Jesus adds: "However, many that are first will be last, and the last first." What does he mean? He means that many people who are "first" in enjoying religious privileges, such as the rich young ruler, will not enter the Kingdom. They will be "last." But many, including Jesus' humble disciples, who are looked down upon by the self-righteous Pharisees as being "last" -as being people of the earth, or 'am ha-'a'rets-will become "first>" Their becoming co rulers with Christ in the Kingdom. Mark 10:17-31; Matthew 19:16-30; Luke 18:18-30.

Next time: Workers In The Vineyard

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991