“Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for My name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29)
Jesus’ disciples gave up a lot to follow their Master. They literally left everything. Jesus tells them they will by no means lose their reward. Every follower of Jesus will inherit eternal life. Moreover, they will receive “a hundredfold” of all they have given up for Jesus’ name’s sake. So, following Jesus is worth the cost!
Eternal life is not a ‘payment’ you earn when you sacrifice everything that is important to you. It is a free gift of grace. However, it can only be received by people who give their lives to God, deny themselves and follow Jesus. Eternal life does not exist outside of God’s presence. If we die with Him, we will also rise from death as He did (Romans 6:5) and live with Him forever.
Moreover, if we wholeheartedly serve the Lord, He will reward us for the work we have done.
This can be prayer, fasting, caring for the needy or showing brotherly love to fellow Christians, to name a few. And Jesus says we will receive a hundredfold what we have lost for His name’s sake, which is not really a ‘reward’ but more like a ‘compensation’ for our suffering.
What or whom did you have to leave for Jesus’ sake?