Multiplying heavenly rewards
Jesus > Family
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Then Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, there is no one who has left home or wife or [siblings] or parents or children for the sake of God’s kingdom who will not receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.”
Luke 18:29-30 (NET)
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Is following Jesus worth it?
Maybe it’s easy to say yes for those of us living in free countries.
Yet throughout church history -- and even today -- untold numbers of Christians risk their jobs, their families, even their very lives because they follow Jesus.
They all say He’s worth it.
Here, Jesus steps in to the uncomfortable reality of what it may mean to follow Him. The high cost, the ostracization and even exile from family and friends, in order to serve Him.
Not only does He tell us that it’s worth it, but He tells us that our eternal rewards for doing so would be so much greater than the things we gave up.
Even from a heavenly perspective, Jesus is worth it.
Of course, that requires faith on our part.
Faith enough to trust that He was, in fact, telling us the truth.
But more than that:
Faith enough to actually obey Him.
The apostle James talked about displaying our faith by the works we do.
Not a works-based salvation -- Jesus already took care of all of that on the cross -- but fruit that shows to all the world that I am a follower of Jesus Christ.
I show people my faith by the good works I do in His name.
No matter the cost, He’s worth it.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2026 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
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