The word "manifold" intrigues me -- not only because it offers definitive clarity to the same word used in other scriptures, but it also offers an assurance within our hearts that when we spread the good news gospel message of Jesus' love to others, the Word will take hold. And that, as Luke 18:30 points out, the "manifold more" can be received IN THIS WORLD AND THE WORLD TO COME -- LIFE EVERLASTING. This understanding, in and of itself should give us hope and confidence, knowing that the Lord Jesus adds a multiplier to the preaching of the Word and similarly, the good deeds that we do in His Name, and the fruits that come thereof. Let me explain.
According to the dictionary, synonyms for the word manifold include: many, numerous, multiple, multifarious, legion, diverse, various, several, varied, different, miscellaneous, assorted, sundry, and myriad. The word can be used as a noun or adjective. The easiest analogy I can find is that of carbon paper that was formerly used in offices. Obviously, this was prior to the advance of the photocopy machine. Still, the concept was the same. When a person would write on a sheet of carbon paper, multiple copies of the very same were made.
In a biblical sense, it serves as a reminder of the disciples who left everything they had -- to follow Jesus. Not only in their hearts, but in their minds too -- there was no turning back. In fact, after Jesus' death and resurrection, the disciples continued to preach the same good news gospel that the Lord Himself had for three plus years taught them when He walked this earth. Consequently, believers became disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Eleven disciples became 70, and soon after 120 praying in the upper room, and then, on the day of Pentecost 3,000 souls saved. (Acts 2:36-47)
Note that these disciples did not become preachers or priests (as observed within the modern day religious culture) but every single person that the Lord had chosen and ordained, became real disciples pointing to Jesus as both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) No other mediator stood between these disciples faith in their Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. In this context, we have all heard people who liken and reduce Luke's manifold reference to earthly constructs. But as we understand from comparative scriptures, wherein the same word is used, this falls short of the intended message.
From the first example found in Luke 18, Jesus is speaking to a certain rich ruler, who wants to know from Jesus what he needs to do to inherit eternal life. It is a straightforward question and one that Jesus does readily answer. That is, even though the ruler had kept the law (or at least the commandments cited, which, as an fyi, quite notably makes no reference to the first two commandments -- to love the Lord with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love one another), he lacked one thing.
Jesus said, "Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven, and come, follow Me!" As we know, the ruler who was rich and Jesus who wanted to give this ruler the riches of the kingdom of God, were both very sorrowful. Upon witnessing the conversation, the disciples then asked Jesus, "Who then can be saved?" And Jesus answered saying, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." (Luke 18:18-27)
Subsequently, Peter points out -- "Lo, we have left all and followed Thee." Jesus answers by saying unto them, "Verily, I say unto you. There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting." (Luke 18:28-30)
Herein, Jesus is speaking specifically about leaving (if necessary) house, parents, brethren, wife and children for the kingdom of God's sake. Not for financial gain because the Lord's constructs are not of this world but rather that in our hearts, we have decided to leave the earthly things behind us to follow the Lord Jesus in our hearts, minds, souls, and strength. Our heart desire being to abide in Him so that He can abide in us in everything we do. And, as well, to know that the world has nothing to offer in comparison to the unsearchable riches of Christ. (Ephesians 3:8)
These unsearchable riches? The manifold grace of God which surpasses all human understanding. (I Peter 4:10) The knowledge that God loved us so much to willingly become our Saviour. "After the kindness and love of God our Saviour ..." (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16; II Corinthians 5:19)
"The mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints; to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:26-29)
Why is this important? So that our hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgement of God -- [both] of the Father and of Christ -- in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3)
Furthermore, "... which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time ... wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations, that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than that of gold (though it be tried with fire) might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [Him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of your souls." (I Peter 1:3-9; I Corinthians 15:20; Colossians 1:5; John 10:28-30; Matthew 5:12; II Corinthians 4:17; James 1:2-6; Romans 2:7; I John 4:20; John 20:29; II Peter 1:21; Ephesians 3:10)
In other words, even in the heaviness that comes through manifold [multiple and diverse] temptations, we can stand firmly attached to the Rock, knowing that there is no greater treasure that can be found in this world -- outside of knowing the Lord Jesus as our personal Saviour. He is our hope and joy, the lover of our souls -- if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (I Peter 2:3) And we are His beloved, when we, through Jesus have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 2:18)
For this reason we are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner [stone]. In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord -- in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot; who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you" (I Peter 1:18-20)
And "to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God ... according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him." (Ephesians 3:10-12)
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