Mark 10:23-31 — Reductions & Rewards

Mark 10:23-31
And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 
And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult 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.” 
And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 
Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 
Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Comments:

Jesus shocked his disciples with this teaching about the difficulty of the rich entering the kingdom of heaven. Why is it so hard for the rich? Because they have so much that they can see, touch, and taste, here in this life that it is hard to see beyond it, to have eyes of faith to believe in what they cannot see. 

Why is it so hard for those who trust in riches (be it wealth, health, or influence)? It is hard because they place their hope in what they have. They haven't come to the end of themselves, the end of their resources, yet. 

Unfortunately, their currency is of no value in the next life. Jesus made the case so strongly that the disciples thought that no one could be saved. Jesus then replied that men cannot save themselves, it is impossible—but with God all things are possible.

Peter, in wanting to justify himself and distance himself and the other disciples from the spiritual handicap of riches and possessions remarks, in verse 28, "See, we have left all and followed You." 

Jesus did not dispute the fact that they had "left all" but instead spoke of the reward they would receive even in this life for setting aside the things of the world to serve the Lord. We will receive up to 100 times what we give up… v. 30 "with persecutions" (gulp!). 

But praise the Lord the persecutions are contained only in this life for in the age to come we shall receive eternal life. But the timetable is in God's hand.