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 persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

When I was a child many sayings were used. Parents would say "You live and learn!" when you climbed the old oak tree, and fell out of it. Or, "You don't have a leg to stand on", when you put forward a weak argument. "Don't let it go to your head!" when we were being conceited about something. Other idioms like "Don't split hairs", and "Don't tear your hair out!" were common. Another was "Pride goes before a fall!" In other words, do not be too confident. It's another way of saying "Don't get too big for your boots!"

In today's reading Jesus and his disciples are talking just after a rich young man has refused to follow Jesus because he can't leave his wealth behind (Mark 10.17-22). Peter compares himself to the man, for he and the other disciples have left their homes, families, and work to follow Jesus, but Jesus gives them a warning. Yes those who follow Jesus will be rewarded, but the future will also bring persecutions, and 'many who are first will be last'.

Going back to the saying: "Pride goes before a fall!", Jesus may well be warning Peter not to value himself too highly, but he is also warning us that those whom the world honours may not be judged in the same way by God. We should remember that the ultimate judgement of our worth is by God!

Lord,
may we not suffer from false pride,
but learn to judge ourselves
through Your lens,
for it is You that gives us the gifts
which we use in this world,
and which You call us to use
for the good of others.
May we be remember Your
hand in any success we have,
and give You praise.
Amen.