What’s In It For Me?
Main Point: At times following Jesus might not feel like the best investment, but in the end it will be the best thing you could do with your life.
Matthew 19:16-24 — The Rich and the Kingdom of God
To everyone else this man lacked nothing. But Jesus could see the one thing that he was missing.
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” —Matthew 19:25-26
Our hope of salvation can never be tied to what we do, instead it is anchored in what Jesus has already done.
Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” —Matthew 19:27
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. —Matthew 19:28
The rewards of following Jesus won’t be on our schedule.
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. —Matthew 19:29-30
The rewards of following Jesus won’t be what we expect.
Matthew 20:1-16 — The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
The rewards of following Jesus won’t be what we think is fair.
Takeaway: Follow Jesus regardless of what it costs you or rewards you here on earth - it will all be worth it!
Discussion Questions:
- How does the concept of a cost-benefit analysis apply to the decision of following Jesus?
- In Matthew 19:16-24, what was the one thing the rich man lacked according to Jesus, and why was it so significant?
- Why do the rewards of following Jesus not align with our personal schedules and expectations? What can we learn from the lives of the disciples about this?
- How does the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard illustrate the unpredictability and apparent unfairness of the rewards of following Jesus?
Table Discussion Question: How does this section of scripture encourage Christ-followers to view the challenges and rewards of following Jesus in their daily lives?