What will we get?

We have given up everything to follow you, what will we get?

That was the question Peter asked Jesus, like all of us he wanted to know what he would get in return for following the Master. In your own view, do you think Peter’s question was offensive to the Lord? was he being selfish? or was he having a wrong motive behind following Jesus? for us to find out Jesus’ take on Peters response, we must examine His answer to him?

Mathew 19:28-29 NLT

Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.

From the above reply it seems Peter’s question was not offensive at all to the Lord, Jesus shared with Peter several benefits that awaited not only him but all the other disciples, and by extension all those who have given up something to follow Him. The reward was the disciples would sit on twelve thrones, Judging the twelve tribes of Israel, ruling together with the Messiah. Jesus added that those who had given up houses, brothers and sisters, father and mother, children or property for His sake would get a hundred times and will inherit eternal life! what a reward.

Those who have sacrificed much for the kingdom of God should not lose sight of the reward of the Lord.

God is not a debtor to any man ( Romans 11:35). He is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) , Neither is He unfaithful. His reward system is the best, there is nothing that you and i do, for His glory which goes without a reward attached to it, even if it “small” as giving his servant a glass of water, nothing is without a reward. In Hebrews chapter 11:6 the Word says “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely (diligently) seek him.”

You and i must believe that there is a reward for those who sincerely( diligently) seek God, a reward for those who pray, serve, give, or do any other thing for His glory.

God understood Hannah’s language and rewarded her, she realized God needed a prophet to serve Him in the temple, and she needed a son. What did Hannah do? she made a deal with God, You open my womb and give me a son and i will give him back to you. God needed a prophet hence He opened Hannah’s womb. That is how her barrenness was instantly broken! that’s called faith.

1 Samuel 2:21 NLT

And the LORD blessed Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.

How about king Hezekiah? he gets a report from prophet Isaiah saying, put your house in order, you are going to die. After those words from the prophet, Hezekiah turned to the wall and with bitter tears reminded God of all the things which he had done for the glory of His name. So urgent was God’s response that the prophet Isaiah had not even left the palace when God told him to go back and declare an additional 15 more years to the king Hezekiah.

Isaiah 38:1-6 NLT

About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.’”

² When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, ³ “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly.

⁴ Then this message came to Isaiah from the Lord: ⁵ “Go back to Hezekiah and tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life, ⁶ and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. Yes, I will defend this city.

Whether you look at this subject from the Old Testament perspective or the New Testament, you will without fail find that God Has established an elaborate reward system that functions both in this life and in eternity, that reward system is more effective that any other reward system in this world. Investing in Gods kingdom is indeed “A sure bet”, you will surely be rewarded, nothing you do in the name of the Lord will be forgotten, even though people may forget, God doesn’t forget. He is always faithful.

I encourage you to start doing something for the kingdom of God today, and expect a reward from Him both now and in eternity. Be blessed!

Pastor Elias Mchogori

RJM