Leaving to Follow the Master You Love
length: 60:26 - taught on Aug, 14 2025
Class Outline:
Thursday August 14, 2025
Main idea: The reality of your salvation will cause you to leave the world and the flesh behind and you will be rewarded for it.
Quick look at the text
Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?"
The word “answered” or “replied” is not translated, but I think it emphasizes that Peter is responding to what was just said by the Lord.
“Behold” just like our “Look.”
“We” Peter uses the pronoun in emphatic way in Greek. “Look. WE have left everything and followed You.”
Greek literally says: “What will be to us?”
And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The regeneration is literally the “new genesis.” It is the renewing of the world in the age of the Messiah (Millennial Reign of Christ).
In TIT 3:5 it refers to rebirth.
Jesus speaks kindly to Peter. They will sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes during the Millennium. This idea, not as specific, is prophesied.
All disciples will be rewarded, and not appropriately. The hyperbole of “100” is not earning reward as a transaction, but receiving from God who is love and loves to give overabundantly.
Jesus uses “Amen” making the statement emphatic. The kingdom is coming to earth and no one deserves it (ISA 65:17; 66:22; 2PE 3:13; REV 21:1; REV 21:5).
The new age of the Messiah is not just in individual souls (reborn) but the whole cosmic order.
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.
All who have left for His name’s sake - His personality.
Left out are husband and wife because the two are one flesh. Houses, closest relationships, children (teknon - older) - at the appropriate time: not in mind only. You and I do not determine what time and manner is appropriate.
Many times as much (100 fold, and “in this age” in MAR 10:30). 100 fold could not be literal, but hyperbole, meaning the reward is not equal to the sacrifice, but much more as God is looking for faith - He doesn’t need work done that He couldn’t easily do Himself.
"But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.
The “last” is the servant (diakonos in MAT 20:26).
“Many” is disheartening. The judgment seat of Christ will follow for all believers and the great white throne judgment will follow for all unbelievers.
Commentary:
Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?"
You have to do a great deal of good to commit the sin of spiritual pride.
Peter believes “we” (emphasized) are greater than the rich man who wouldn’t leave his possessions.
Didn’t Jesus notice their self-sacrifice? It is hard / impossible for the rich man, okay, they are now poor - but it is funny that he doesn’t ask: “Will we enter?” but rather “What is there for us?”
Peter still has a house and a wife at the least (MAR 1:29; 1CO 9:5).
And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
“The regeneration” - the Millennial reign of Christ. The renewing of the whole world in the age of the Messiah.
ISA 65:17; ISA 66:22; 2PE 3:13; REV 21:1; REV 21:5.
That God is going to do this for us is an astounding blessing that no one deserves. He has already done it for you.
The same word “regeneration’ is used one other time in the NT.
washing [redemption - forgiveness of sins] of regeneration [rebirth] and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
By the Holy Spirit.
[click] JOH 3:5
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
At salvation, you have undergone a complete change of life to eternal life. That life is a way of life, the life of Christ, the life of heaven - and this is the reason to you to love (gracious, joyful sacrifice) as heaven’s citizen.
12 thrones. That the Millennium would have a government run by people is prophesied. That there would be rulers over the 12 tribes is prophesied, but not this specifically. ISA 32:1
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.
His name’s sake means that you love Him more than anything else. When things compete with His “name” = His way of life.
“Many times as much” probably went over everyone’s heads. But a parable is coming to clarify.
Just giving knowledge is the lowest form of teaching. (all the “on-line” courses generally only have this kind).
Leaving comforts, things, some people (usually not all people) at the appropriate time to follow the Lord is discipleship. It is a 180 from self and world.
Ways in which this can happen in time, but it will not be so for every person. Waiting for the kingdom of heaven is appropriate.
Inherit eternal life does not set works forth as a condition. Contrast to the rich man promised treasure in heaven. Inheritance is reward in the balances where on the other side is what you “left.”
A known inheritance is a source of present joy.
John looks to present - “have eternal life” while Matthew looks to the future. We need both due to our tendency to go to one end of the spectrum or the other (all now — all future).
"But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.
Now are the determination of firsts and lasts.
The last are they who follow. It is by faith, but due to their understanding of Christ’s person and work, their faith becomes the work they will and love to do.
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