Here is the link to Matthew Chapter 19, and the text from verse 27.
Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
Once again, the word everything makes its prominence felt.
When I last met with Sr. Agnes Marie, I told her I was having problems with Peter. She reminded me how nice it is to have someone so very human as an apostle. If Peter finally got it, it gives us hope for ourselves.
I have the advantage, I suppose, of being able to look back at a history Peter was unaware of. He was living in the moment, and it can be difficult to understand what’s happening around us as it happens.
On the other hand, by this time Peter has already witnessed enough that he knows who Jesus is. Jesus has performed multiple healing miracles, fed the five thousand, walked on the water, and been transfigured. In Matthew 16, Peter has already confessed to Jesus that he understands Him to be the Christ.
Peter is privileged to be best friends with the Christ as He walks upon the earth.
But that doesn’t seem to be enough for him.
He is not content without knowing the future rewards for leaving everything behind to follow Jesus.
I’m actually surprised at the answer Jesus gives.
I expected Him to say something like “You’re already with Me. What more do you need?”
Instead Jesus affirms for Peter that he will have a place on a throne of judgment when the time comes, and He indicates that those who sacrifice for His sake will be repaid a hundred times over and will be rewarded with eternal life.
As for me, I wish no place on a throne. Nor do I wish repayment a hundred times over for whatever portion of everything I manage to give up.
All I want is to be in the presence of Jesus.
Now.
And then eternally.
It seems such a simple thing.
Yet it remains, in the now, elusive.
Peter seems to take for granted the very thing that I would gladly sacrifice everything for.
The simple ability to just dwell in the presence of Jesus.