GOD OFFERS REWARDS

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:11-12). "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets" (Luke 6:23).

Devotion 6 of 12

THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS

Jesus was promised the heathen for His inheritance. The coming of the Savior into the world involved remarkable condescension. From heaven He came, entering into the arena of handicap and opposition. He submitted to be "crucified through weakness" (2 Cor. 13:4). He also "become poor, that we through His poverty might be rich" (2 Cor. 8:9). What constrained Him to undertake such a work? He was offered an incentive. The heathen would be His for the asking! "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession" (Psa. 2:7-8). No longer would a small nation be the exclusive custodians of truth. Divine acceptance would be opened to the "uttermost parts of the earth." "The kingdoms of this world" would "become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev. 11:15). In the strength of that commitment, Jesus "humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:8).

He was motivated by the joy set before Him. The grief of the cross transcends our abilities of comprehension. It was there, on the cross, that he "became a curse for us" (Gal. 3:13). There He "bore our sins in His own body" (1 Pet. 2:24). Suspended between heaven and earth, God "made Him to be sin for us" (2 Cor. 5:21). Tasting "death for every man" (Heb. 2:9), He was "smitten of God and afflicted" Isa. 53:4). His grief-stricken cry, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me" (Matt.27:46) echoes down through the ages, a confirmation of the enormity of our transgressions, lest we should take them lightly.

And how is it that Jesus was able to bear up under the cross? What kept Him there as an innocent Lamb that did not open His mouth! It was the very principle which we are now considering. It was the reward that lay out before Him. He had an incentive which strengthened Him to keep the commandment that had been delivered to Him. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds" (Heb. 12:2-3). The contemplation of the triumphant and festive joy that was before Him caused our Lord to despise, or think little, of the sufferings of the cross. In comparison to what His Father promised Him, they were small, and but for a moment. His eye was not cast downward, but upward!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I seek for grace to let Christ's mind be in me. Grant me this grace in His matchless name, and for His glory.

-- TOMORROW: JESUS IS KING! --