November 30 Jesus is LORD

Revelation 22:12-13 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
 
REWARD. The human desire is to be rewarded, to receive some payment or benefit for what we do and even who we are. Even in the first sin, Satan tempted Eve and Adam with the reward they would be as God: Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Another way of seeing this is that Satan was promising, “You’ll be God because you can define good and evil. You can be your own savior, your own lawgiver, your own reward!” Mankind has been following the lie, defining his own rewards of self-pleasure and purpose ever since.
   That’s why we must see once more the truth at the close of Scripture. The Holy God, who created the heavens and earth, defines our true, lasting reward. Jesus plainly corrects Satan’s lie, “My reward is with me.” He alone is the source of good. He is he Living Word, the Bread of Life and the Living Water. These names define God’s Word is our eternal, true, alive and saving reward when we consume it.
   But even in Jesus’ truth, doubters and unbelieves will ask, “What good is it to be a Christian, if I have no reward? I’ve gone to church, but  it doesn’t make me well, rich and happy. I even know many people who reject God, and they are doing well. Why would I care about God? Surely, I’ll be in heaven if I do more good than bad in my life.”
   This is the, “I can be God.” talk that burns the soul into Hell. When Jesus adds, “I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” he is referring not to our so-called good deeds in life. Our Lord is speaking of our faith in him. We know this because that is what the entire Bible tells us.
   One primary reason we study all of Scripture is to know the works God requires of us to receive his eternal reward. Yes, there is the aspect of physical reward as the Hebrews obey God’s law. But we see many prophets and leaders suffer as they follow God’s orders.
   Then Jesus comes to clarify how he is “the way” (John 14:6). Luke 6:20  Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because you follow the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. 24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.” Your reward is given based on what you are – one who follows the Son of Man. When you follow Jesus, you will become as he is – holy and true before the Father. Your eternal salvation is not from what you decide is to be good or not.
   You’re not God. Jesus is.
 
Prayer: I pray to rejoice and be glad in your eternal reward, Lord Jesus. You have determined this; nothing else matters. Amen.