Hundred times more

You will receive a hundred times more.

28 Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel 30 who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. 31 But many that are first will be last, and [the] last will be first.”-Mark10:28-31

Peter was bold enough to say, “We have given up everything and followed you.” In other words, the disciples of Jesus left everything to follow Him, so what's in it for them? Will there be a reward? For me, one should not ask for a compensation or a reward just because a person sacrificed much for Jesus. The call of Jesus alone is already a privilege, a high recognition, a rare gem these days. In the Gospel, Jesus comforts His disciples and future disciples that their response to the call will never go unnoticed. One shouldn't worry about mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, lands, etc. left behind because Jesus generously gives many mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, lands, and so much more to all who answer His call.

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The Big Yes

Somebody's calling you.

14 After John had been arrested,[a] Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

16 As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. 19 He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. 20 Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.-Mark1:14-20

The call is so mysterious. Indeed, why did Jesus choose common folks? Were there not an abundance of learned men during His time? Were not Pharisees, Sadducees, Elders, Scribes or "more deserving people" in abundance during Jesus' active ministry? God's ways are indeed not our ways. God's thoughts are not our thoughts. God has planned it all way ahead of time. God has already pre-destined men and women for a role they are to fill later on. The plan is there. The destined role is there. The stage is there. All that is missing is our Yes. Our "Yes" to God is not so difficult to give as exemplified by His disciples' response.

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Somebody's calling

The Summoning.

13 He went up the mountain[a] and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve [whom he also named apostles] that they might be with him[b] and he might send them forth to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons: 16 [c][he appointed the twelve:] Simon, whom he named Peter; 17 James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, 19 and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.-Mark3:13-19

Calling indeed is a mystery. In the same way, our choice for a partner for life is also a mystery. Last Sunday, I met with some friends, and I was a bit surprised to see my friend's husband for the first time. I never imagined she would marry a man who looks a bit older and not exactly a "prince charming" material. But then, love is a mystery. So, too, God when He calls. During the time of Jesus, fisher-folks, a tax collector, a pacifist, an extremist, and impetuous persons are not exactly good material for religious life. But our ways are not God's ways, our thoughts are not God's thoughts. Jesus saw more than what meets the eye; He sees the heart; He sees God's predestined plan for each and everyone of us. When God calls, what will our response be?

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And the Cost?

Follow Jesus!

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.-Mark1:14-20

"Come, follow me." When Jesus called His first disciples, it was clear that they immediately left their boats, nets, father and hired men behind. In short, they left everything for Jesus. However, following Jesus has a certain cost. No, you're not going to pay for it, rather, a follower/disciple of Jesus must "deny himself, take up his cross and follow Jesus." Easier said than done. To deny oneself means saying no to pleasures and desires of life. It means living like Jesus - seeped in poverty, servant of all, celibate, chaste, forgiving even to the unforgivable and so on. If necessary, to live without anything to lay one's head on. To take up one's cross means enduring joyfully the absence of many pleasures and desires of life. Isn't it painful to say no to our favorite food? Isn't it painful to deny one of an addiction? Isn't it painful to reconcile with a sworn enemy?

Isn't it painful to forgive one whom we vowed never to forgive? Denying oneself and carrying one's cross will free us of many baggages and chains in life, and will make us free to follow Jesus. Isn't it easier to walk without any bag to carry around?

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