It hits me as another of those “Really?” sayings of Jesus. You know, I believe it because Jesus said it . . . but do I really believe it, because I’m not sure it’s really real.

Then Peter said, “Look, we have left what we had and followed You.”

So [Jesus] said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left a house, wife or brothers or sisters, parents or children because of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more at this time, and eternal life in the age to come.”

(Luke 18:28-30 CSB)

Receive many times more at this time. Really? At this time?

I get the leaving all to follow Jesus. Not that I’ve had to do it, not that many of us (at least in this land) have had to do it, but that it’s clear that Jesus saw how needful it was to be willing to do it. After all, that’s what prompted this exchange between Peter and Him. Jesus had just told a guy who was pretty rich, “You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” (Lk. 18:22)

And I get the reward in the age to come. Giving up your life here and now for the life that will never be lost there and then. Or, as Jesus told the rich young ruler, storing up treasure in heaven for withdrawal at a later date. More to come in the future? Counting on it.

But that those who would leave everything for the kingdom of God now would receive many times more now? Really?

I’ve always thought of this as the replacement of natural family left behind, because they refused to believe, with the spiritual family gained through the company of others who have decided to follow Jesus. A family of a few dozen, perhaps, replaced with a family of thousands and thousands throughout the world — brothers and sisters in Christ, the body of Christ.

But this morning, I’m wondering if there isn’t something more in view here. Something more than just family in mind. And it was my reading in 2Timothy which got me to wondering.

At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me.

(2Timothy 4:16-17a CSB)

Okay, here’s someone, Paul, who’s left everything to follow Jesus. And here he is towards the end of his life. And what does he have to show for it? Where are the things he received many times more at this time in exchange for all that he’s left over time?

Oh, he’s anticipating a “crown of righteousness” which “the Lord will give me on that day” (2Tim. 4:8), but that’s reward in the age to come. What about now? What about now in a Roman prison? What about now after a body repeatedly beaten over years of persecution? What about now after looking back and seeing your life as but being “poured out as a drink offering” (2Tim. 4:6). What about at this time when, having “fought the good fight” and having “finished the race”, there’s nobody there as you approach the finish line because, says Paul, “Everyone deserted me.” So, where’s the many times more at this time?

The Lord stood with me.

There it is, says Paul this morning.

I left my family. But the Lord stood with me. I left my religion. But the Lord stood with me. I left the comfort of my rank and position. But the Lord stood with me. I left safety and security. But the Lord stood with me.

The Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of God, Second Person of the Holy Trinity. God and fully God who created all things and sustains all things. The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords who rules from on high today and will one day take His throne on earth and then, in the new heavens and new earth. The Lord stood with me.

The Lord. Immanuel. God in flesh. The Lamb of God come to pay the debt for my sin which I could never repay. The One who loved me and loved me to death (literally) so that I might have life. The One risen from the dead, ascended into heaven. The Son of God is with me at this time.

That’s the prize, says Paul! Jesus is the prize!

That’s how I am to do the accounting. Jesus is the many times more at this time. He is the fulfillment of the promise which makes being willing to leave it all behind in order to follow Him palatable, and more than palatable, incalculably profitable.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
All its joys are but a name;
But His love abideth ever,
Thro’ eternal years the same.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Sweetest comfort of my soul;
With my Saviour watching o’er me,
I can sing, tho’ billows roll.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Let me view His constant smile;
Then thro’out my pilgrim journey
Light will cheer me all the while.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
In His cross my trust shall be;
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see.

Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above!

The Lord stands with me. That’s the prize at this time.

Oh, the richness and abundance of His abiding grace.

To God be the glory.