Honored by God

John 12:26 26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

This is one of those verses that I read this morning that seemed new to me. I must have skimmed over it before. But to think that Jesus - and this is a week before he is crucified - tells those who are with him that if they have the desire to serve Christ, they must follow Him.

How important it is for us to heed this command. We must serve the Lord but it requires a life of total allegiance and unreserved commitment. Jesus drives the point home by saying that wherever He may be found, His servant (who is constantly and unequivocally following him) will be as well.

Furthermore, This last phrase is what really encouraged me. Jesus says:

"if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him."

Can you imagine what it will be like on that final day when we who have been faithful to the calling of following Christ will be ultimately honored by the Lord? Of course, this honor will not really be ours. For we will be so consumed with the Glory of God that the honor will be rightly given to Him whom all glory is due.

May we strive today - and every day - to live lives that are constantly, fervently, painfully, unequivocally, exhaustibly, single-mindedly and wholeheartedly committed to serving our Lord Jesus Christ? Why? So that we may ultimately bring Glory to the Father. For in so glorifying us, we will be glorifying Him for who He is and what He has done.

May we be these servants who are found faithful.