Thoughts for the Day

Peter began to say to Jesus, 'Look, we have left everything and followed you.' Jesus said, 'Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age - houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecution - and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.'

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

For many people it is important to have a good job, a lovely home, and everything needed to help the family live a happy life. Year's ago we called it 'Keeping up with the Jones' - everyone seeking to outdo everyone else and get the newest and best gadgets, and general lifestyle. But we now know that this is a synthetic way of living and has no real meaning. Covid 19 has taught us that what is important is good health, food and clean water, friends, loved ones, and faith. I have put these here in no particular order, and indeed would want to change the order significantly for myself. But the point is, if we have these things then we have all that is needed for a good life.

Jesus says the first will become last in the age to come. Those who have served only themselves, who have lived only to buy the latest things for themselves, have got it wrong. God's Kingdom needs those who have put themselves second and the things of God, and of their neighbour, first. Peter and his fellow disciples got it the right way round and no doubt received their reward in Heaven.

Lord Jesus,
teach us how to desire You
and for the things of God,
rather than the things of this world,
so that we may meet You face to face one day
knowing that we have done
all that we can to follow in Your footsteps.
Amen.