Holy Week, The Wise & Faithful - Disciple Makers Series #24预览

How We Treat Kingdom Children  

Thoughts on the message

Now Jesus closes out what will happen when He returns – He will give everyone their reward. What will be the basis? How they treat His followers. Because whatever we do to those who follow Jesus, we do to Jesus Himself. Stop and let that sink into our hearts for a moment. If a king came to our house, we would honor him greatly. If a poor member of his kingdom came – we likely treat him with much less honor. Jesus says to this world, “the honor you give to any member of My kingdom determines how you treat Me.” That is scary. Especially because it determines our eternal destiny. 

This is not just a temporary reward that we move beyond to other things. These are consequences that last for eternity. Jesus makes this clear to His followers – and everyone who reads this. When He comes back the second time – there will be no third chance. For those who listened to Jesus, they receive the kingdom as their eternal inheritance. Stop and let that resonate in your spirit. God’s kingdom is our inheritance.

Prayer

Father, when I read this, I stop and think about how I treat Your children. Sometimes I have not treated them with the honor that I would treat You. Forgive me, and keep reminding me that they are Your representatives on this earth. I need to treat them that way – even if they represent You poorly. Also, as Your child, I want to represent You well. I want to represent Your love, mercy, grace, holiness, truth and justice well. That way the world knows who Jesus is – and what He looks like. So strengthen me – and all Your children – today to represent Jesus well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.