“Hyperbole”: a figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis, not to be taken literally.

That’s what I think I’m encountering as Jesus makes a point to His disciples in Mark 10. But within this hyperbole, I’m chewing on some reality.

Peter began to say to [Jesus], “See, we have left everything and followed You.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for My sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”

(Mark 10:28-30 ESV)

Houses and family and lands! Oh my! Whose not in for that deal?

Peter’s just been listening to Jesus tell a rich, young guy to sell all he has and give it to the poor and then he’ll have “treasure in heaven” (Mk. 10:21). And while the young guy walks away, Peter’s doing the math, “I’ve walked away from everything. Same deal me for me? Treasure in heaven?”

Cue Jesus and some hyperbole. He doesn’t dispute that Peter has left everything to follow Him. Instead, He tells Peter, “It’s gonna be worth it all.” You’ve left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for My sake? You’ll get it all back . . . and then some . . . like a hundred times some!

Jesus wasn’t promising Peter a hundred houses for the house that he barely lived in any more because he was always on the road with Jesus. Wasn’t promising him a family a hundred-times bigger than the family he rarely saw because he was following Jesus. Wasn’t promising him a hundred acres for every acre he could no longer tend because he was tending to matters of a land yet to come? Not literally, at least. That’s what hyperbole is, an exaggeration for emphasis. Peter, says Jesus, what you’ve left doesn’t compare to what you’re investing in! Its gonna be worth it all!

Okay. Let’s say you can go with that. But then there’s those two words that get thrown in there . . . with persecutions. Kinda’ sneaky, huh? And guess what? Not hyperbole. Not exaggerating. Persecutions come with the promises– it’s a package deal.

Persecutions. Harassment. Mistreatment. Misunderstood by your friends. Held in contempt by the world. So that’s the deal — a hundredfold yet with hostility. How’s that for some reality within hyperbole?

But guess what, Peter? It’s still gonna be worth it all.

Because, beyond all the “hundredfold” blessings of following Me now — even the blessing of suffering for My sake (Matt. 5:10-12, 1Peter 3:14) — in the age to come eternal life. And Jesus isn’t exaggerating! That’s more reality!

You’ve left everything? Hyperbole? Probably. But let’s not minimize the price you’ve paid for following Jesus.

You’ll reap a hundredfold? More hyperbole? Yeah, but how much family has come into your life because you’re now part of the family of God? How many homes have you been welcomed into? There’s certainly blessings to be known even now.

Persecutions now? Reality? Yes sir. Yes ma’am.

Still gonna be worth it all? I’m thinkin’!

‘Cause in the age to come eternal life! More reality!

By His grace. For His glory.