Crumbs 120 Kingdom Values
Scripture Mark 10:24-31 NIV 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” 28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
This sample of Jesus’ teaching is challenging on different levels. Then as now the measure of a person’s success was financial.. Jesus attacks this notion and in so doing drives His followers to the conclusion that salvation is impossible for anyone. Jesus gives a great hint of grace to come “ all things are possible with God.”The brokenness of humanity is monumental but the coming, death and resurrection of Jests shows us the lengths to which God who is love is prepared to go to save our wayward species. .
In verse 30 we are introduced to a different realm; the age to come. The age of the senses of scientific data is not the only one. In the spiritual realm priorities are inverted. We judge folk by different yard sticks, wealth, good looks, academic success, good connections.
The rewards that Christ promises his followers are of two types; there are providential ones, homes and fields and there are relational ones. The compensations in following Christ are many ,but Jesus adds persecutions. This is true today. In northern Nigeria and other places it can be a death sentence. That should drive us to our knees. In the UK it can bring derision and the possibility of job loss. Loved one may be hurt or perplexed. The Gospel turns every thing upside down. But Christ remains constant.
Questions
How should this passage affect our attitude to wealth and to those who possess it ?
In what ways does the spiritual realm differ from this current one?.
3. How should kingdom values revealed in this text affect our attitude to today’s problems
