After sacrifice comes glory

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | June 29, 2023 | Matthew 19:28-30

KEY VERSE:

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:29 (NIV)

MESSAGE: Jesus assures his disciples of the reward that awaits them if they sacrifice themselves and everything to diligently follow him. He also assures them of the Glory that awaits them in the kingdom that is to come, where He reigns as King. He promises they will reign with Him in His glory.

Jesus did not only promise them glory in the hereafter, or in the kingdom that is to come, but he also assured them of receiving a hundredfold of what they have given up to follow Him. They would receive restoration in multiple folds, what they have had to offload to be his disciples here on earth in this life, before inheriting eternal life in the kingdom to come.

These words should be very assuring for the disciples of Jesus to make them want to follow more earnestly and diligently for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. This is evidenced by the life they lived after Jesus departed the earth and ascended into heaven; a life dedicated to serving the cause of the kingdom of God.

Jesus makes another statement at the end of the chapter that sets the tone for the parable that followed in the next chapter. But many who are first will be last, and the last first. Those who have lost the most on earth to follow Jesus in this life will receive eternal rewards alongside those who sacrificed much less by comparison. Meaning not all rewards will be the same but none shall have cause to think God is unfair.

FEET AND HANDS OF THE MESSAGE:

You may not be seeing the results of your sacrificial service for the sake of Christ in sight now but serve with joy. With the hope of the Glory to come and the blessings here on earth. Serve diligently and faithfully, and if you do not give up, the glory will break forth in due time. God assures it. Christ in you, the Hope of Glory.

PRAYER: Dear lord Jesus, in the midst of the challenges in serving you, I look to you. Help me to serve you diligently to the very end. For your dear name’s sake. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!