Our paragraph topic is: (A hundredfold reward promised) Part 5.
Christ has spoken to his disciples of the rewards that await them. He told them of the twelve thrones that await them. This is a prize that is beyond the imaginations of his followers. But he wanted them to know that what awaits them in heaven is different from what is theirs in the here and now. For in the here and now they are fishermen, tax collectors, farmers, everyday men and women who do not have the power and prestige as the men of their day.
What they were doing in the name of Jesus transformed them, made them different. They went against the grain. The preached the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They healed the sick, cast out demons, made the lame walk and the blind see, all in his name. And they suffered the persecution of the evildoers who sought to maintain their control over the souls of men. Christ gave them their purpose. Christ taught them what to say and do. He showed them by example and not just by words. His example was the ultimate sacrifice for mankind. And he told them:
"But many who are first now will be last."
They wanted to be first. They wanted to be at the head of the line, just as we want to first today. We all want to be privileged. We want to be first. We want to sit at the head of the table, to be recognized. We want to be seen and spoken to by everyone of importance. This is what we are given from birth, to be famous, to have of power, to be recognized. Humility is not in our behavior. It is not what we are given as examples to follow in our daily lives. But Christ told his disciples many who are first now will be last.
Can we stand at the end of the line and still feel welcomed? Can we be last in place and still have a feeling of self worth? Is it in our nature to practice humility? Not in this day and time. For everything in our being strives to be first. Everything in our value tells us that we should be first or near first. Everything we are tell us that we should be proud and not humble. But Christ told his disciples that many who are first now will be last.
Christ is the first of all beings. For God our Father, through his love, gave forth of himself to bring forth Christ his Son, the first of all beings. And of his love for his son came forth the angels and all the beings of heaven. And then from his love came the creation of man. And man though he lost his life was redeemed through the loving sacrifice of Christ . And he was the first. And we are the last.
At the regeneration, many who were first will be last. And those who are the last to transition into the kingdom will be the first to be rewarded. Christ awaits you that you may receive your reward. It is not of this earth. It is not made of the stuff that we know today, but of the love that fills and transforms the soul for all eternity. It is the stuff that satisfies, that you will never thirst. Christ calls you to his table. He seeks to know you. He desires to love you, if you let him. He wants to fulfill your every need. Open your heart and let him in and you will be filled forever.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
Christ has spoken to his disciples of the rewards that await them. He told them of the twelve thrones that await them. This is a prize that is beyond the imaginations of his followers. But he wanted them to know that what awaits them in heaven is different from what is theirs in the here and now. For in the here and now they are fishermen, tax collectors, farmers, everyday men and women who do not have the power and prestige as the men of their day.
What they were doing in the name of Jesus transformed them, made them different. They went against the grain. The preached the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They healed the sick, cast out demons, made the lame walk and the blind see, all in his name. And they suffered the persecution of the evildoers who sought to maintain their control over the souls of men. Christ gave them their purpose. Christ taught them what to say and do. He showed them by example and not just by words. His example was the ultimate sacrifice for mankind. And he told them:
"But many who are first now will be last."
They wanted to be first. They wanted to be at the head of the line, just as we want to first today. We all want to be privileged. We want to be first. We want to sit at the head of the table, to be recognized. We want to be seen and spoken to by everyone of importance. This is what we are given from birth, to be famous, to have of power, to be recognized. Humility is not in our behavior. It is not what we are given as examples to follow in our daily lives. But Christ told his disciples many who are first now will be last.
Can we stand at the end of the line and still feel welcomed? Can we be last in place and still have a feeling of self worth? Is it in our nature to practice humility? Not in this day and time. For everything in our being strives to be first. Everything in our value tells us that we should be first or near first. Everything we are tell us that we should be proud and not humble. But Christ told his disciples that many who are first now will be last.
Christ is the first of all beings. For God our Father, through his love, gave forth of himself to bring forth Christ his Son, the first of all beings. And of his love for his son came forth the angels and all the beings of heaven. And then from his love came the creation of man. And man though he lost his life was redeemed through the loving sacrifice of Christ . And he was the first. And we are the last.
At the regeneration, many who were first will be last. And those who are the last to transition into the kingdom will be the first to be rewarded. Christ awaits you that you may receive your reward. It is not of this earth. It is not made of the stuff that we know today, but of the love that fills and transforms the soul for all eternity. It is the stuff that satisfies, that you will never thirst. Christ calls you to his table. He seeks to know you. He desires to love you, if you let him. He wants to fulfill your every need. Open your heart and let him in and you will be filled forever.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
