Have you ever wondered why the disciples of Jesus were enthusiastic about quitting their jobs to follow Jesus? Honestly, they had no idea what they were getting themselves into at first. They thought that they had been called upon to start a political campaign for world domination. This is exactly why they closed down their businesses and started campaigning for Jesus.
We might have a similar reaction if we received a phone call from the president asking us to become Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, or Secretary of Defense. I know this is a stretch, but this is how they felt about following Jesus.
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he tried many times to turn their attention to the spiritual realities of what they were doing. I am sure that Peter felt like mutiny after Jesus called him Satan after Peter’s short outburst:
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16: 21-23)
Peter didn’t want to hear that Jesus was going to suffer and die–this wasn’t part of the plan. This is not what Peter signed up for, but Jesus had bigger plans for Peter and the disciples. It wasn’t until after the death and resurrection that things started making sense–the disciples honestly thought Jesus would be an earthly king and they were his royal subjects.
Looking back–we see how blessed the disciples were to be able to eat, sleep, and learn from the creator of the Universe. But they were blind to who Jesus was until after He was raised from the dead.
Being a Christian in the 21st Century might not put us in the Billionaire club, in fact it may cost us everything that we own. The day might come when we are called to give our lives for our faith. This might not be what many people want to hear, but the fact is that we are called to suffer with Christ.
However, this physical world is only temporary. One day the pain of this life will end. Those who have suffered the most for Jesus in this life will have eternal rewards in heaven that will never be taken away. Where is your heart? Where are your treasures?
Listen to the words of Jesus:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
~Stephen Beagles