RSS

Enjoy Life, Enjoy God


Dale Patterson

REWARD

February 28, 2013

Dying to oneself, take up your cross, is there any reward in being a Christ-follower?

 
"Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children of fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first."
                                                 --Matthew 19:28-30 TNIV
 
The passage above follows Jesus encounter with the Rich Young Ruler who walks away sadly from Jesus, for his possessions possess him.  To which the disciples ask Jesus, "We've left everything to follow you.  Is there no reward?"  To which Jesus says the above words.

Reward?  Eternity, of course, but also following Jesus, living according to his leadership may not lead to applause or success by this world's standards.  In fact, we're told it requires dying to the self and taking up one's cross.  But...but, as Christ-followers, it's time to do it, it's the right thing, and we are following God Incarnate, Jesus the Christ.  Let's be about it.  Surely that is reward enough.
 
Joyfully,
 
Dale Patterson