“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Promises. Take them to heart. Our sacrifices for the name of Jesus and his gospel are seen by God and rewarded in this age (our earthly world) and into eternity.

At times when I have seen those who take shortcuts in life — they conveniently ignore the truth, deceive others to gain for themselves, or malign those who call out righteousness — I can feel like life is not fair or just. But Jesus tells me here that this is not the case.

Justice will eventually prevail. People who serve and give to those in need will see returns on their efforts. Their faithfulness to the gospel will be honored by God. He will come to their rescue and reward them. Their rewards will be 100X what they sacrificed.

When I think of “100X”, it seems hard to fathom. That is a 10,000% return on the initial sacrifice. God pays out great spiritual dividends for our faithfulness and steadfast belief in him. And he will also grant us eternal life.

Lord, thank you for your truth in this passage. May I view all current efforts to serve you, in the midst of challenge, to be a small sacrifice in the grand scheme of your plans to greatly reward your faithful children who relentlessly serve you.