Topic: Gain Through Loss
TEXT: Mark 10:28-34
28. Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
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,
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.
But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them; and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,
Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles;
And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him; and the third day he shall rise again.
KEY VERSE:
“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… for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time… and in the world to come eternal life.” – (Mark 10:29,30)
Message
The story is told of an artist who visited a female friend. He met her weeping and asked why. She simply showed him her highly treasured handkerchief that had been ruined by a drop of indelible ink. The artist requested for the handkerchief and left with it. Several days later, he returned it to her by mail. She could hardly believe her eyes when she opened the parcel. The artist, using the inkblot as a base, had drawn on the handkerchief a design of great beauty with India ink. It had become more beautiful and more valuable than ever.
The thrill felt by this lady for her recovered handkerchief is nothing compared with the joy and fulfilment of Christ’s followers. A rich young ruler had just burst the chance of being His disciple because he could not afford to lose his wealth. In response, Christ declared how difficult it would be for the rich to enter into God’s kingdom. Peter reflected on this and on behalf of other disciples, requested from the Lord what their prospects were who had left all and followed Him. Christ’s answer underscores the fact that the decision to follow Him may cost loss of material wealth and family ties but the gains here and hereafter far outweigh the losses.
Many unbelievers have been kept from taking the most important step of deciding for Christ because they fear that becoming a true Christian will make them losers. The experiences of true believers prove such fear as unfounded. There have been cases of believers that were once rejected by family members for their faith but eventually became instrumental in the salvation of those family members.
Do not be afraid or ashamed to lose friends and relations for Christ’s sake. Whatever you lose on earth is incomparable to the joy you will gain in heaven. You are not a loser but an ultimate gainer.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Every loss for Christ is heaven’s gain.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Nehemiah 5-7
DCLM Daily Manna 6th August 2021 Deeper Life Devotional Message was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
