The reward of service

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Today, employers try to attract employees with higher salaries or other benefits. This is very tempting, and many people invest their lives in their work. But what awaits those who invest in God's kingdom? This question interested the disciples back then (see Mark 10:28-31), and it should interest us as well.

Reward – a key role

In Revelation 22:12, Jesus says, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what they have done.” For Jesus, reward plays a crucial role. In the Sermon on the Mount, he mentioned this: “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:12).

For Moses, the reward was the deciding factor. He left Pharaoh's court and the treasures of Egypt. He also renounced the temporal pleasures of sin. For many years of his life, he endured the suffering, criticism, and grumbling of the people. The sole reason for this was the reward (cf. Hebrews 11:24-26). This reward has eternal value.

We want to extract three important ideas from the chosen Bible text.

Jesus – the one who waits (“Look, I am coming soon”)

When Jesus left the earth, Christians thought He would return within their lifetime. They wholeheartedly dedicated their lives to the Kingdom of God. After 2,000 years, He is still waiting to return. Jesus would love to come to reward His children. But He hesitates for one reason: many more people need to hear the Gospel and be saved. Media and technology are bringing the Gospel to even the most remote places. It would be good if all Christians took this mission seriously.

The Old Testament often speaks in shadows. Noah's Ark shows what the future might hold. Noah spent many years building the ark and spoke of God's plan. People ate, drank, built, and married. When the ark was finished, animals came into it of their own accord from all directions. People saw all these supernatural things and yet remained hard-hearted. Then God closed the door of the ark, and it began to rain heavily. At this point, people awoke, shouted, and knocked on the door. But it remained firmly shut. Many biblical prophecies are being fulfilled before our very eyes. And yet, people remain preoccupied with themselves.

When Jesus returns, the time of salvation will be over, and He will judge the world. The Bible speaks of different judgments: the judgment seat of Christ for believers and the great white throne for unbelievers. Before the great white throne, it will be a terrifying sight. Even heaven and earth will recoil from His presence. Jesus, the righteous judge, will judge the dead. Because of the throne's size, nothing else will be visible. The white color of the throne signifies how pure, holy, and just the proceedings will be. Nothing can be concealed, no one can be bribed, and no one can escape this throne. To deliver a just verdict, books of remembrance and the Book of Life will be opened. Those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire (see Revelation 20:11-15). Jonathan Edwards once wrote, "Sinners will wish they had done just a little less evil, so that their punishment might be a little more bearable."

How important it is to know and serve Jesus Christ! Those to whom Jesus has given spiritual life are written in the Book of Life. This is called a new birth. Only these people can escape the white throne. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not believe in the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). There is such a thing as “too late.” The matter of eternity should not be taken lightly.

Jesus – the one who rewards (“and my reward is with me”)

An athlete who has trained hard is happy to be honored on a podium before a crowd. How much more valuable is it when Jesus honors us! Every single tear we shed for the Kingdom of God will count here. Every single glass of water we give to a thirsty person will carry weight. All our good and pure motives will be revealed here and rewarded by Jesus. Jesus' judgment will be perfect and just.

The honors people receive in this world are temporary. Laurel wreaths, trophies, medals, and certificates eventually end up in the trash. Heavenly honors, however, will last for eternity. Jesus said, “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22). Jesus himself will conduct both great judgments. Jesus continues, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24).

The wage and the crown

In the original text, the term "judgment seat" is "bema." It was a raised platform from which a speaker addressed a crowd (cf. Herod in Acts 12:21). Important legal matters were also decided here. This is the place where the judge sat (cf. Pilate in Matthew 27:19). Furthermore, successful athletes were honored here after important games. Jesus will sit on the "bema" (judgment seat). He will give everyone their just reward. It will be a very solemn occasion. Paul writes: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due for what we have done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Corinthians 5:10). No one will be lost here. But our lives will also be laid bare. The reward will be distributed according to our works.

There will be different wages:

1. Faithfulness is rewarded more than success (cf. Mt 25:21, 23; 1 Cor 4:2). We cannot always be successful, but we can always be faithful.
2. It is not about the extent of a gift or ability that a person possesses, but how he uses it (cf. Mt 25:15-28).
3. It is not the manner of service that counts, but the attitude behind it (cf. Col 3:22-24).
4. It is not the quantity that counts, but the quality (cf. Mt 10:42).
5. Everything we do for His people should be done as if it were done for Him (cf. Mt 25:40).
6. The Lord praises perseverance. It's not the beginning, but the end that counts.

There will be different crowns:

1. The crown of joy is when one has won souls through faithfulness (cf. 1 Thess 2:19).
2. The crown of glory for shepherds who faithfully tended the sheep of Christ (cf. 1 Pet 5:4).
3. The crown of righteousness for those who loved His appearing (cf. 2 Tim 4:8).
4. The crown of life for those who endured suffering and temptation (cf. Rev 2:10).
5. The crown of accomplishment for the one who successfully completes the race (cf. 1 Cor 9:25b).

Jesus promised honors to the seven churches from Revelation 2-3. Everyone who was considered an overcomer in a particular situation also received wonderful promises from the Lord.

As times become increasingly challenging, some Christians grow weary. They lack the strength to continue their work and give up. Let us encourage one another: Jesus is coming again soon. He wants to find us active. The day of Jesus' return will be a glorious day. For all our efforts, we will be rewarded by our Lord. We should let go of useless things and take the next steps with all our strength.

Jesus – the Judge (“to repay each person according to what they have done”)

People are afraid of worldly courts and try to suppress any thought of the future judgment (cf. Governor Felix in Acts 24:25). Even the innocent don't know how the verdict will turn out because you can't see into people's hearts, and judges can be corrupt. People love money more than the truth. Jesus is the righteous judge. His eyes are like a flame of fire that sees right through the heart. Paul wrote, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due for what we have done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Corinthians 5:10). The terms "good or evil" can also be replaced with "right or useless." Christians can use their time as they see fit. At the judgment seat of Christ, there will be a difference between a Billy Graham and someone who has spent a lot of time on useless things.

Paul writes that our building will be tested by fire. It will determine whether we stand before Jesus richly rewarded or empty-handed. “If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, the work of each person will be clearly seen. The Day will reveal it, because it will be revealed by fire. The fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what anyone has built survives, they will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, they will suffer loss, but they themselves will be saved, even though they have passed through the fire” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

We should prepare carefully for this day. We cannot excuse ourselves for not having known about it. Our excuses carry no weight there. It would be wise to seek God's will today, rather than striving for our own interests. Then this day will be the most glorious day of our lives. Honor is accompanied by joy. Then we will finally have reached our goal.

Many of our brothers and sisters in faith had a good end. They died with a smile on their face. They died with peace in their hearts. They left us a rich spiritual legacy. They faced trials and persecution. Nevertheless, they served Jesus because they wanted to please Him. Now they are with the Lord. Today it is our turn to live our lives meaningfully so that the Lord may say to each of us, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).

Wilhelm Lenz

Municipality of Venne