JESUS had told the disciples the great and wonderful good news that God had made the impossible possible, and provided a way that sinners could be saved from eternal damnation. Peter is still worried. His mind is still with the words of Jesus to the rich young ruler about giving all his money to the poor and coming and following Jesus. In his concern Peter answers Jesus by reminding him that he and the other disciples had left everything to follow Jesus.

Peter is seeking assurance. He wants to know whether he will be saved eternally. Jesus gives him and the disciples the assurance that they crave. He tells them that when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, they will sit with him on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. It must have been wonderful for Peter to receive such assurance, but what do the words of Jesus signify and mean?

Plainly Jesus is speaking of his eternal kingdom, after his return to judge the world, where he will be reigning over the heavenly realm. The disciples are being told that they will receive a position of great honour at that time.

But is this assurance and honour a reward for good works i.e. giving up the world for Jesus. On the surface it seems to be this, but when we think a bit more deeply, we see just what Jesus is saying.

In verse 21 Jesus was not telling the young man that he could earn eternal life by his action of giving all his money away. Rather Jesus was speaking of giving his money away to point out to the young man that his claims of keeping the whole law from his youth was false. He had not loved, and was not loving, his neighbour as himself, because he had the means to do so much more but had not done it. Jesus was showing the young man that he loved his own comfort and not his neighbour, and by this Jesus would teach him that he had not kept the law perfectly, and his works were defective. Jesus was showing the young man that by works no one can save themselves.

In the same way we must not understand following Jesus as a work which earns God's favour, but as it really is – which is to come in faith and trust, and commit our whole life to Jesus that rest may be found in him, and in such trust placing ourself under the authority of Jesus to lead us and direct our paths. Following Jesus is to surrender in faith and trust to Jesus in obedience in all things, whatever this may be, even the giving up of our most treasured aspirations or possessions. This is the life of faith. This is the faith that saves the soul, for by believing in Jesus in this way all that Christ won by his work on earth is our possession in Christ, and so we are saved by him. This is the grace of God in Jesus Christ which saves the soul.

When Peter said he had left everything to follow Jesus this is in essence what he had done. He had left his fishing, etc. and depended on Jesus for his life and livelihood, but this was not the focus, which was that he had trusted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. In such a faith all our possessions and even our life itself belongs to Jesus, so that he has the right to use it as he wills. This may mean giving away all our money if Jesus tells us to do so, but Jesus may not require this from us. However we must be ready in faith to obey if he did at some time in the future.

In verse 29 Jesus presses home that faith in him in this way will never be in vain. All who believe on Jesus in this way will, through the work of Jesus for us, receive eternal life. Let us notice in particular that the promise is not that eternal life is earned, but rather that eternal life is received, that is given as a gift, which by faith the believer receives.

The gospel is plain and sure. Whosoever believes on Jesus will be saved. He who comes to Jesus and trusts in him will find rest for their soul. Jesus has earned this blessing, and he graciously bestows this gift on his believing people.

Jesus ends with a warning. We must not evaluate these things and saving faith by human standards. Many we think shall be first because their lives seem so committed to Christ, will be found last; whereas some we hardly think are saved will be found to be first. How God evaluates is not as we do, and it is in what God sees that we will find our reward in heaven.