Seeking Reassurance

Scripture: But the disciples were astonished at His words. Again Jesus said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” So they were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.” Peter began to tell Him, “Look, we have left everything and followed You.” Mark 10:24-28

Observation: As Jesus responds to questions about the rich young man who will struggle to get into heaven, Peter jumps in with an interesting statement. Jesus has said it is hard for the rich to get into heaven - the lesson being that it is difficult for rich and prideful people to set aside what they have in order to practice faithful living - when Peter points out that the disciples have all given up everything they had. Some had been ... at least not poor. We know Peter owned a fishing business.

So Jesus says, "the rich will struggle," and Peter immediately jumps to justifying his own worthiness by indicating that he, along with the other followers, have given up their riches. What Peter is really doing is seeking reassurance of his salvation. Jesus says, "it is hard for the rich to get into heaven," and Peter says "look, we're now poor" in the hopes Jesus will next say, "yup, you'll get into heaven then." (Note: He doesn't directly say that next.)

The point is that even Peter - not just a disciple, and not just one of 'the twelve', but one of the three inner-circle disciples who just witnessed the transfiguration days earlier - would like a guarantee that he is doing the right thing to earn his way into heaven. He doesn't get that guarantee because ... one cannot earn their way into heaven, other than to follow Jesus and believe I him. Discussing rich versus poor misses the point. It is the act of faith that matters.

Application: We all want guarantees about heaven, and honestly ... guarantees aren't forthcoming. Paul later encourages our "hope" in salvation. And while he repeatedly points out how confidently we can hope in salvation through faith in Jesus, that's as far as he goes.

And this is the great mystery of faith! God doesn't walk into my office, sit down, shake my hand, and say that now that I've met him obviously I believe in him. And Jesus didn't sit with the disciples and say, 'yes, you follow me, so you're in.' Instead, they both say ... 'Your salvation is a matter of faith in God through your belief in Jesus, and I expect your actions to align accordingly.'

It is reassuring to me to know that even Peter couldn't get a direct guarantee while standing eye to eye with Jesus. I am confident in my faith, and confident in my hope of eternity, just like Peter was.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your assurances and your love. I seek to do your will every day, and may I leave behind whatever I need to leave in order to follow you. Please be with me today, and especially this evening in my service to you. Give me your words and your heart tonight. Thank you. Amen.