The Year of our Lord, Jesus Christ
John 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
If any man serve me, him will my Father honour. What a statement! What a promise! What a future! My oh my…wonderful!
That almighty God would stoop to honor a servant of Jesus Christ is an amazing thing to think about. A person may receive many honors in life. An athlete may be honored by induction into the “Hall of Fame” of their respective sport. A politician may be honored by being elected to the highest office in the land. A soldier may win the Congressional Medal of Honor. An artist may be honored by winning many awards. A businessperson honored by a promotion, or a substantial increase in pay. These are all tremendous honors.
A servant of Jesus Christ will be honored by His Father for service rendered. Earthly honors seem to be bestowed based upon accomplishments of the individual. The honor God gives is based upon accomplishments of His Son through His servants. By serving Jesus Christ a person serves others. It takes no skill to serve, it takes no great athletic ability, nor does it take superior intellect, unusual talent, or natural strength. It just takes a willing heart and a servant’s spirit.
Of all the reasons to consider following Jesus and serving Him, today’s Bible teaching of God the Father honoring those who serve Jesus is perhaps the greatest reason of all. Imagine, spend a little time trying to see in your mind, God honoring you! The Lord does not relate how His servants will be honored; He leaves that up to your imagination. For me, such honor would be made manifest by making my eternal mansion a cabin by a mountain stream filled with fish and a forest filled with game. To me that is the highest honor I can imagine receiving. If He does honor me, I’m sure it will not be that, but until that day, that is my dream of such an honor. What is your dream? How would you like for the Lord God to honor you?
If you can imagine such a thing, then get busy, earn the honor through service to the Lord Jesus. For this, to me, is the highest calling of life.
Until Next Time,
William T. Howe, Ph.D.
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