THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

190“Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.”Whatever form our idol takes, it must be given up.WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED? (18:26-27)Luke points out that those who heard this conversation asked a very reasonable question,“Who then can be saved?” (18:26) If such a sincere religious man cannot be saved, then whocan? Jesus counters with, “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (v. 27).A RICH REWARD AWAIT THOSE WHO SACRIFICE (18:28-30)In his typical fashion, Peter makes sure that Jesus knows that he and his fellow discipleshave sacrificed for Him:“We have left all we had to follow You” (v. 28).Jesus responds to Peter by pointing out the rich reward that await those who havesacrificed on His behalf:“’I tell you the truth,’ Jesus said to them, ‘no one who has left home or wife orbrothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will failto receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.’”(18:29-30)From an eternal perspective, it pays to serve the Lord.APPLICATIONIf we hope to follow Jesus we must be let go of our idol, we must be willing to give upeverything. We may not be wealthy, but if there is someone or something that possesses us, thenwe must be willing to give it up. Either it is our way or His. If we insist on our way, then that iswhat we will have. But if we want to follow Jesus, then we are following the One who said:“I am the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6).It is either our way or His!