What does Luke 18:29 mean?
The larger passage in which this verse is situated includes a comparison between a rich young ruler and the disciples. The young man is deeply invested in his earthly life. Some of that investment is noble: he is a good person to the people around him; he treats them right. Some of that investment is troublesome. He doesn't understand that to have eternal life in God's kingdom he will have to prioritize Jesus over his earthly goods (Luke 18:18–23).Peter has pointed out that the disciples have given up their lives. Instead of living in their homes with their families, earning a living at their jobs, they are following Jesus around, listening to Him teach. They have an inkling that in God's kingdom they will not only receive eternal life, but also rewards (Luke 18:28). Jesus affirms that if they have sacrificed their earthly life, they will be recompensed. They will "receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life" (Luke 18:30).
This "leaving" needs to be understood in context. Jesus is not commanding that all who follow Him must abandon our families and responsibilities. Nor does every Christian need to move to a foreign land to be a missionary. Nor is He saying that church and ministry workers should shun family, health, and relationships so they can work themselves to death. God has prepared good works for us (Ephesians 2:10). Jesus specifically called the disciples to make such great sacrifices (Luke 6:12–16). He will call some of us, too, but not everyone. There is plenty of work that must be done and that can be done while still caring for one's family. In fact, often caring for our families and ministering to others in our cultural context is the call. Wherever we are and whatever we do, we should be doing it for God's glory (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 7:17–24; Ephesians 5:21—6:9; 1 Peter 3:13–17).
