COUNTING OUR LOSSES!

Thursday, April 2, 2020

COUNTING OUR LOSSES!

Mark 10:28-31

28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,

30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

           The calendar collision of Pandemic and Passover has changed the landscape of our religion this year. It now appears that we will not be able to meet in our houses of worship on the most holy of days. We deeply feel that loss and those of us who are healthy feel a deep frustration as well.

           Peter, responding to the encounter with the one we call the “rich young ruler” points out that his little ban had “left all” to follow Jesus. Verse 27 of the NASB asks: “What then will there be for us?”

           Jesus assured His disciples that no one who follows Him will ever lose what is really important, either in this life or in the life to come. However, He adds that this will be “with persecutions.”

           Jesus now attempts to prepare His followers for the events that will lead to The Cross and The Empty Tomb. It was too much for them to comprehend. We only understand it because of hindsight. To them it was incomprehensible. The Resurrection was an impossibility. What a horrible loss this would be? They had forgotten Jesus’ words “and in the world to come eternal life.”

           Later, the Apostle Paul would comment on his own losses in Phil 3:8. “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”

Dear Lord, many of our flock have suffered losses during this time. Some have lost their jobs and one couple have lost their home. You have promised that we would have everything we need – and in the world to come eternal life. Thank you, Lord, for your provision, your comfort, and for your promise. AMEN