![]() In Jesus’ most well-known sermon, He addresses devotional acts of alms-giving, prayer and fasting. With these three, Jesus makes it clear that the Pharisees are doing their religious acts as a way for others to see them. This in turn leads to Jesus saying they have received their reward. It got me thinking about us when Jesus makes mention of this topic. Are we the kind of people that have our rewards here and now? Remember Jesus does contrast the Pharisees’ righteousness over against the kind Jesus is describing. Jesus says that there are those who will get their reward now and others who will get it later. Which one are we? I have found one of the safest ways to ensure you have a reward here is to look at our expectations when it comes to God. Do we have any desperation, thirsts and longings that are unquenchable? It’s not a question that easily comes with the answers. But that’s the point. It’s supposed to make you think. That’s what Jesus is up to in His ministry to people. Jesus is looking to take people and make them deep. Remember the fishermen on the job in Galilee? Jesus calls four fishermen and calls them to follow. In other words, the fish you fish for is fine and well but let’s go deeper than we could ever imagine. Let’s fish for people and thereby become deep people who let down their nets and watch fish come in droves. Jesus Christ has come to make you a deep person. So then, the question of insatiable longings is directly connected to not having your reward yet. Maybe not even in this life. It was how Jesus introduced His sermon. Congratulations to everyone here who is suffering poverty in your human spirit, who is mourning for the Messiah’s return, who is meek but everyone thinks you are weak, who are having belly growls for what’s right to come out on top, who are treating people not according to what you think they deserve, or who have single minded motives to bless others, to make peace and not merely keep peace, who get a bad rap for being a God follower…I tell you today, congratulations! Even though it looks like Jesus just affirmed the opposite, it turns out that rewards in heaven are manifold and plentiful when God fulfills all things. Till then we look to walk, live and behave like those whom the kingdom of God has made a difference. Having a reward of filled bellies, lots of laughter, absence of any worry, strife or heartache may be blessing we all wish to have. But then again, Jesus came to make us deep people. That will mean we will need to relinquish our power. Jesus would have us to know that having a life that prizes our own safety and happiness may be symptomatic of rewards in the here and now. Being well-liked by everyone may show we are enslaved to people’s opinions. Having an image of someone who is all put together might leave us looking outside the kingdom. Let’s defer our rewards to the age to come and wait on God to make all things new. Until then, go about trusting, loving and hoping in the good Lord here and now and don’t worry about the results. Leave that to the Lord.
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A Word from the PastorGreetings to all of you in Christ's name. This blog is for you to consider in your walk with God. Shalom. Archives
November 2016
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