As I read this morning, this caught my attention. So, I backtracked and across the page on my digital reader was v28 – Peter began to tell him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you’.

Look – it’s a word I’ve seen a lot as I finished preaching The Revelation. It is

in Revelation as Jesus says, “look, I am coming soon…” It is also in 2 Corinthians 5:17 when it states that In Christ… a new creation… old has passed away, SEE (look) all things are new. It’s a word, idou that means to behold, pay attention, and here, Peter is using that word as he talks to Jesus.

Often times, we look at our experiences through jaded perspective and think that perhaps God doesn’t see it as he should.

Jesus had just encountered the “Rich Young Ruler”, in Mark 10, and then explained to his 12 Students, how hard it is for those with wealth to enter the Kingdom. He told them it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.

Really? Well, understand he is referring to a small sheep gate, just big enough for a sheep to pass through, and though not impossible for a camel, was difficult. And the disciples reply, then who can be saved.

Jesus replies… all things ARE possible with God.

That’s when Peter began to TELL him… It’s always funny when we want to tell God stuff – but to Peter’s defense – this word – lego – does mean to “agree” – So, Peter was just sort making an affirmation – “yes Lord, you are right” and of course “we are on the GOD-side.

But it strikes me that he says, Look – idoe – pay attention. Lord we have LEFT – aphiemi = leave, forgive – “we have turned around” – from all and followed – akoloutheo = take a road – “we have made a 180 and taken your road Lord.

And then Jesus says, Truly – AMEN – those who aphiemi – left – anything for MY SAKE and for the SAKE of the gospel…

“For the Sake” – heneken = on account of – I do think it is important that we always check our reasons for the big sacrifices we make… but be SURE – Don’t Worry – God keeps a good “ledger”, and his return is always greater profit.

v30 – will receive 100 times more… NOW… with persecution… wait what?… and eternal life in the age to come

v31 but many who are first will be last, and the last first…

God’s accounting is different than ours, but always to eternal overflow.

All of that, and THEN for me, v32 is what caught my eye to start this today. They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples (the 12) were astonished, but those who followed (other followers) were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside, he began to tell them the things that would happen to him.

Here we are, in 2026, a few weeks away from Celebrating his Death. So, too was Jesus heading Up to Jerusalem to Die for Our Sins.

Fear and Astonishment

Jesus tells them that he will be handed over, mocked, flogged, killed, and will rise after three days. I believe Jesus is always telling us that “Following me is Amazing and Frightening”

We have plans… and he says, it will be better than you can imagine, and more difficult than you assumed.

Then immediately, James and John are asking for favored status in his Kingdom. Jesus tells them “you have know idea what you are asking”. Then think they do, and he affirms, yep you WILL go through much of what I’m going through… but…

Then he redirects their desires, big plans, and aspirations.

v44 whoever wants to be first among you, will be slave to all

v45 even the Son of Man did not come to BE served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for all

Refocus our Ambition.

Jesus was heading up to Jerusalem to die, and he was leading them, knowing what he was about to face. Knowing all we will face, he still is in the lead. Be amazed, be not afraid, lead others, always knowing that we are just following him.

Jesus was going to Jerusalem, fulling committed, not trailing sadly behind, but leading triumphantly in front.

The Reality is Frightening…

…but the Return is Forever in our Favor