reward of following Jesus Christ

767 reward for following jesus christ Peter asked Jesus: 'Behold, we left everything and followed you; what will we get for it?" (Matthew 19,27). We have left many things behind on our spiritual journey - careers, families, work, social status, pride. Is it really worth it? Any reward in store for us? Our efforts and dedication are not in vain. God inspired the Bible writers to write about rewards, and I am confident that when God promises a reward, we will find it to be of immense value far beyond what we could imagine: "But to him who can do exceedingly beyond anything we ask or understand, according to the power that is at work in us" (Ephesians 3,20).

Two time periods

Let's start with Jesus answering Peter's question: "You who have followed me, in the new birth, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you will also sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And whoever forsakes houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive it a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19,28-29).

The Gospel of Mark reveals that Jesus speaks of two periods of time: "There is no one who leaves home 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 hundredfold: now at this time houses and Brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields in the midst of persecutions - and in the world to come eternal life" (Mark 10,29-30).

God will reward us generously - but Jesus also warns us that this life is not a life of physical luxury. We will have persecutions, trials and suffering in this life. But the blessings outweigh the difficulties by a hundred to one! Whatever sacrifice we make will be amply compensated.
Jesus does not promise to give 100 extra fields to everyone who gave up a farm to follow. Jesus thinks that the things we receive in the next life will be worth a hundred times the things we give up in this life—measured in terms of real value, eternal value, not passing fads of physical things.

I doubt the disciples understood what Jesus was saying. Still thinking of a physical kingdom that would soon bring earthly freedom and power to the people of Israel, they asked Jesus, "Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel at this time?" (Acts 1,6). The martyrdom of Stephen and James may have come as a surprise. Where was the hundredfold wages for her?

parables

In several parables, Jesus indicated that faithful disciples would receive great credit. In the parable of the workers in the vines, the gift of redemption is symbolized by a day's wages: "Then those who were hired came about the eleventh hour, and each received his penny. But when the first came, they thought they would receive more; and they each received his penny” (Matthew 20,9:10-2). In the parable of the sheep and goats, believers are allowed to inherit a kingdom: "Then the king will say to those on his right hand: Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world!" (Matthew 5,34). In the parable of the pounds, the trustworthy servants are given power over the cities: «Jesus said to him, Well done, good servant; because you have been faithful in a little thing, you shall have authority over ten cities” (Luke 1 Cor9,17). Jesus counseled his disciples: “But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust devour them, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6,20). Jesus was implying that what we do in this life will be rewarded in the future.

Eternal joy with God

Our eternity in God's presence will be far more glorious and joyful than the physical rewards. All physical things, no matter how beautiful, delightful, or precious, are but faint shadows of infinitely better heavenly times. When we think of eternal rewards, we should think primarily of spiritual rewards, not physical things that pass away. But the problem is that we don't have the vocabulary to describe the details of an existence we've never experienced.

As the Psalmist puts it: "You show me the way of life: in your presence is fullness of joy, and at your right hand eternal delight" (Psalm 16,11). Isaiah described some of that joy when he foretold a nation that would return to their land: 'The redeemed of the Lord shall come again, and come to Zion with shouting; eternal joy will be upon their heads; Joy and gladness shall take hold of them, and pain and sighing shall depart" (Isaiah 35,10). We will have accomplished the purpose for which God created us. We will live in the presence of God and be happier than ever. This is what Christianity traditionally tries to convey with the concept of "going to heaven."

A despicable wish?

Belief in rewards is part of the Christian faith. Still, some Christians think it dishonorable to seek rewards for their work. We are called to serve God out of love, not as workers waiting to be rewarded. Yet the Scriptures speak of rewards and assure us of a reward: 'But without faith it is impossible to please God; for whoever would come to God must believe that he is, and that he gives their reward to those who seek him" (Hebrews 11,6).

When life gets difficult, it helps to remember that there is another life: "If faith in Christ gives us hope for this life only, we are the most unfortunate of all men" (1. Corinthians 15,19 Hope for all). Paul knew that the life to come would be worth his sacrifices. He renounced temporary joys to seek better, lasting joys in Christ.

Extremely great rewards

The biblical writers have not given us many details. But one thing we know for sure - it will be the best experience we have ever had. "Whatever you do, do it from your heart as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward" (Colossians 3,23-24). The letter of Peter gives us the answer to the question of what inheritance we will receive: "Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercies has given us birth again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead , to an inheritance immortal and undefiled and unfading, preserved in heaven for you, who are being kept by the power of God through faith unto a salvation prepared to be revealed in the last time. Then you will rejoice that you are now sad for a little while, if it should be, in various temptations, so that your faith may be proven and found much more precious than perishable gold, which is refined through fire, to praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1. Petrus 1,3-7). We have a lot to thank, a lot to look forward to, a lot to celebrate!

by Paul Kroll