When Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the German church door in 1517, many scholars say he not only protested the Church selling forgiveness at a price, he inspired people to pursue science, capitalism, and democracy—all values we cherish today. But if we are not careful we will overlook that Jesus Christ places His followers into a community called the Church. He expects us to function as brothers and sisters who care for one another. That was the point Jesus made in His answer to Peter, found in Mark Ch 10. Peter wanted to know what he and the other disciples would get since they had given up so much to follow Christ. Jesus replied, “I assure you that everyone who has a given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.” Jesus tells Peter and us that we belong to a community where brothers and sisters care for one another; and even though we may suffer persecution because we are committed to Christ, in the world to come we will receive far more than we gave up to follow Him.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
