“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26) This was a question Jesus Christ asked, emphasizing the need for salvation. Now it is about time we turned this question towards Him and asked it this way, “For what profit is it to a man if he follows Jesus, and loses everything in life? Or what will a man benefit from following Jesus?
Rational human beings do not do something for naught. Every rational human being takes into account the costs and benefits before taking a step to do something. Being a follower of Jesus is no light matter, for it comes at a cost. But the point is, at length, what do those who follow Jesus Christ stand to benefit? If you have half a mind to ask such a question, stay put! No need to ask now for such a question has been asked already for all followers of Jesus Christ. And it was Jesus Christ Himself, the One who has called us, who was asked such a question and He responded accordingly.
Then Peter answered and said to Him (Jesus), “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” (Matthew 19:27) Also Mark 10: 28–30; Luke 18:28–30
So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:28, 29)
With regard to this Scripture, it should occur to us that the benefits of following Jesus Christ come in two folds; that is, they come in earthly benefits and eternal benefits.
In the days of Jesus, those who became disciples were obliged generally to forsake their homes to follow Him. At present, it is not often required that a disciple should literally leave them, except when his life is devoted to missionary service among unbelievers. The truth is Jesus has promised to make up for all the things that His followers part with in the course of following Him. No one who has left house, family, the comforts of this life, etc. shall be a loser in the long run; rather he shall be graciously and abundantly rewarded, receiving a hundred times as much recompense. How? This is not to be understood literally, for it may not be received in kind, but in value or in equivalence; that God will give such a disciple what will be worth a hundred times as much, in the peace, and joy, and rewards of following Jesus.
Disciples who have left families for Christ’s sake have found a father and a brother in every Christian; a mother and a sister in every holy woman. The love that the Lord Jesus has lavished on us, coupled with the love of our fellow disciples, supplies a hundredfold compensation to those who have to leave wife or children for His sake. In being accepted hospitably in the homes of loving brethren, disciples who have left houses have found a hundredfold houses in a sense; to be at home everywhere is a great gain. To put it briefly, Jesus promises to take care of such a disciple who has left everything, giving him earthly peace and joy, such as no sinner or unbeliever can have, and above all, “eternal life.”
What we stand to gain from following Jesus goes beyond this earthly life; Jesus has promised to top our earthly benefits up with the most precious thing, the treasure of the soul, called eternal life. Disciples have hope beyond this earthly life; they look forward to an endless, blissful afterlife in heaven, living with Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus Himself shared this hope with His disciples:
1 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:1-3).
Finally, let summarize a few of the blessings and benefits that accrue to a follower of Jesus Christ:
- To the followers pertains the promise of salvation. John 14:2-3
- Followers of Jesus receive hundredfold blessings for whatever they have lost. Matthew 19:27-29, Mark 10: 28-30; Luke 18:28–30
- Jesus regards his followers or disciples as His family; that is, they are mothers, brothers, and sisters to Him. Matthew 12:49
- Followers of Jesus Christ have the power to trample over all the powers of the enemy. Luke 10:19
- Followers of Jesus are empowered to cast out demons and heal all kinds of diseases. Matthew 10:1, Mark 16:17-18
- Followers of Jesus have Divine protection, i.e. ‘Nothing shall by any means hurt them.’ Luke 10:19
- Followers of Jesus receive the Holy Spirit. John 14:17, 26; John 16:7–13, Acts 2:4
- In following Jesus, the disciple has access to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:4 – 10.
- Jesus reveals the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven to His followers. Matthew 13:11
- In following Jesus, Christians or disciples come into many spiritual blessings, Ephesians 1:3
- Followers of Jesus Christ receive ‘rest for the soul’, Matthew 11:28-30.
- In following Jesus Christ, God takes care of your needs. Matthew 6:33
- Etc.
Conclusion
We say, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” (Ephesians 1:3). We should deem it a great blessing that we have been granted to become a disciple or followers of Jesus. Honestly, disciples of Jesus have to draw boast or inspiration from these blessings and benefits to serve God well, showing uncompromising loyalty.
Food for thought
- Which of these benefits are you enjoying as a disciple or follower of Jesus?
- Which of these benefits is your greatest priority? Why?
- If eternal life were the only benefit Jesus has to give His followers and nothing more, would you have still desired to be a disciple? Why?
- Is there something that can deny a follower of enjoying these benefits? If yes, mention them.