Jesus, Your Reward

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 benefit for what we do and for who we are. In the first sin, Satan tempted Eve and Adam with the supreme reward: 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.” Satan promised, “You’ll be God because you can define good and evil. You can be your own lawgiver. You can reward your own behavior as you desire!” Tragically, Satan’s only “reward” is death. The world continues to suffer in this deadly promise.
   But be sure. The Holy God, who created the heavens and earth, defines his true reward. “My reward is with me.” Jesus announced. He is he Living Word, the Bread of Life and the Living Water. Jesus’ reward is eternal life. His reward is the fruit of his Spirt. Jesus’ reward is an intimate, eternal relationship with the Holy Trinity. Jesus’ reward is to live in the heavenly home the Father has prepared for you. Jesus’ reward is life everlasting. Why would anyone not want Jesus’ reward?
   Do we earn his reward? When Jesus adds, “I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” he is not referring to our so-called good deeds balanced on a justice scale. During his ministry, our Lord taught this to the crowd in Capernaum: John 6:28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
   Further, Jesus was careful to define eternal reward with such teachings as recorded in Luke 6:20-24. This is another version of the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes:  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.” God’s reward is given based on who you are – one who faithfully follows the Son of Man. Putting your confidence and hope in worldly reward leads to judgment. Faith leads to Heaven.
  
Prayer: You are my reward, Jesus. Amen.