The Reward

`I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.´  Mark 9:41 (NIV)

Every time we come across a promise from Jesus, shouldn´t we pause and check it out?  Here Jesus draws our attention to those who show kindness in His name.  Is He talking about people who claim to be a Christian?  Or is He talking about people who are moved to acts of compassion because they feel the love of Jesus moving in their hearts?  Jesus makes this truth important to delve into when He states, “I tell you the truth!”  By stating this He reminds us that He has inside news that He wants to share with us.  He is letting us know that this reward of which He speaks is worth seeking to attain.

With Jesus and His teachings there is a simple theme that runs through them all.  First they are all designed to lift up, point to and draw us closer in relationship to God the Father.  Second, they are all drawing us to Him.  To effectuate, to assimilate, to apprehend, we need Jesus.  We run into this whenever we approach Him or His teachings.  He must be with us.  He must be able to communicate with us.  He must be allowed to move us in some Way.  We become out of necessity bonded together.  We become so close that His wisdom, strength and atonement are seen and not our own.  This is a relationship.  This is a walk.  And He is our Way!

Jesus mentions a person doing an act of kindness.  He never stops with the external act.  He goes much deeper and far above this lowly form of viewing.  He goes to intentions.  He goes to the root.  He goes to the heart and soul.  Are we giving the cup of water because it is expected of us?  Are we helping the needy because someone told us that it was the thing to do?  Or is our heart reaching out to that needy person?  Do we feel the compassion of Jesus alive within us?  Can we feel His love burning within us and flowing out to all those around?  Are we being carried away because what He pours into our soul is overflowing and we cannot possibly contain it all?

Should we separate the teaching of Jesus from the One who spoke it?  Should we attempt to make a set of guidelines for us to follow?  Or should we be attempting to bring each one of His teachings to fruition?  Should we be allowing His words and His voice to lead us again unto Him?  Should it work its spiritual wonders and draw us closer in relation and in heart?  Should we strive to be so close that it is He is working within us to love and to touch those whom He loves?

So let the promise stand!  May the words of the Lord hold true!  May the reward be given as He says it will!  Just let us all return to knee and seek His direction.  How can we place ourselves within reach of that prize?  What will Jesus whisper to our hearts today?  How shall we take His scripture and His teaching?  Do we feel that sea of love and emotion being poured into our frail little hearts?  Is it overflowing to all those in need around us today?

Dear Jesus, we come to You.  We set our hearts on pleasing our Father in heaven.  We have heard of a prize.  We love prizes.  Show us what it takes to attain This Prize, YOU!  Let us know if we truly seek Your love in us.  Show us if we have that flowing through us and into those whom You would touch today.  If we need to draw closer to You to feel that love, then assist our seeking hearts.  Let us have You in us!  Let this be our reward, the thrill of recognizing Your love and Your presence inside our souls today and forevermore! 

Amen