I prayerfully considered whether to pen anything on these pages concerning the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Most of Lambchow’s audience, after all, is not American or connected to our political strife. However, Charlie is a good example of something Jesus told His disciples.
“Peter began to tell him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, who will not receive a hundred times more, now at this time—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and eternal life in the age to come. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:28–31, CSB)
This is the last of three parts, which began with the question of the rich young man. What must I do to inherit eternal life? After Jesus’ memorable statement about rich men, camels, and the eye of a needle, Peter volunteers what they gave up to follow Jesus.
Jesus makes a three-fold promise. What you give up for the kingdom will be returned a hundred-fold. Not in some future windfall, but right now. Promise number 2 is more sobering and only Mark’s Gospel includes it: there will be persecution. The final promise is eternal life in the age to come.
There are many for whom accepting Christ means separation from family, friends, and others. That hurts. But there is also the gain of a large group of brothers and sisters in Christ. Many of those relationships become closer than blood. Jesus’ statement is not about money but relationships and purpose.
Persecution may come with that gain. Mark was writing to a persecuted church in Rome. The degree of pain varies greatly, from the mockery of a friend to being a martyr for Christ.
And lastly, there is the unfathomable gain of eternal life with Christ. It is this last promise that anchors our faith when faced with separation and persecution. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, CSB)
Charlie Kirk experienced all three of these promises. For those who don’t know Charlie, he was a young man with a family. He was unabashedly faithful to Christ and stood on the conservative side of American politics. He started a movement that went to college campuses to engage in discussions with everyone. “Prove me wrong,” he invited, and willingly put those who disagreed with him at the front of the line. Even when the discussion was about something cultural, his questions and answers often found a way back to faith in Jesus.
I’m not sure what Charlie gave up for the Kingdom; only he could answer that. But he did gain thousands of relationships and influenced millions. He also faced persecution of many types. From what I’ve seen, he never responded with anger but held fast to grace and truth. Many of those discussions are online and in the pubic record. On September 10th 2025, he was killed by an assassin’s bullet while engaging in conversations at a college campus. In that hour, he entered the fullness of eternal life with Christ. I’m sure that Charlie was a sinner, we all are, but he followed hard after Christ in his life, loves, and purpose.
Jesus concludes with the observation that many who are first will be last, and the last first. This is a humbling thought. Many who think they are something are really far from the top of the list. Many who consider themselves as nothings are at the top of the list. This should humble and encourage us all.
- Essential Worship – A Worship Map - March 4, 2026
- Proverbs – Anxiety - March 2, 2026
- Essential Worship – Sprirt and Truth - February 25, 2026
