What Are The Rewards?

Jesus had just told the rich young man, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions,” in Matthew 19:21-22.  The young man walked away, unwilling to do what Jesus said.  Jesus had then pointed out that people who were into physical things such as wealth rarely were willing to give them up for God’s sake, and as a result few would ever be saved or get into heaven. 

Unlike the rich young man, Peter, Andrew, James and John had given up their fishing businesses, and Matthew had given up a lucrative position as a tax collector.  Others had given up other careers and businesses, and left their families behind to follow Christ.    Matthew 19:27 tells us, “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?”    They had done what Jesus said would be necessary to get into heaven and now they wanted to know if it would get them into heaven.  Originally, the disciples had simply believed Jesus was the Messiah, with no thought of rewards for following him.  It just seemed like what they should do.  Jesus comments had made them think about what rewards there might be. 

Jesus reassured them in Matthew 19:28-30.  “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.  But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” 

Because they had followed him with no concern for their own benefit, they would be placed in authority over the nation of Israel when Christ sets up his earthly kingdom.  It is believed they will be part of the elders mentioned in Revelation 4:4-5 and 10-11, and again in Revelation 20:4.  The last passage not only refers to the twelve apostles, but also to every person who has made a similar commitment to Christ, willing to give up their earthly ambitions and possessions simply because they believe in Christ, and are not thinking about what the rewards will be. 

He went on to warn them that some of those who were most respected would miss out completely while some of those who were unknown would receive the greatest rewards.  A prime example is Judas Iscariot.  Judas was so highly respected among the disciples they had put him in charge of their finances. When Jesus announced in John 13:21-29 that one of them would betray him, none of them thought it could be Judas.    

“When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.   Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.  Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.  He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.  And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.  Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.  For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.” 

Even after Jesus told them the one who will betray me is the one I give this piece of bread to, the disciples didn’t believe Judas would betray Jesus, but assumed he was being given some special job to do for the Lord.  They thought it more likely that they would personally betray Jesus than that Judas would.  He probably seemed like the most spiritual man among them.   Jesus’ statement reminds us of what God told Samuel in I Samuel 16:7,  “…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”  Often, all we see is the outward appearances and actions, but God knows a person’s heart.   We need to be careful not to follow people simply because others think they are above reproach or because they seem to be doing great things. 

II Corinthians 11:13-15 warns some of the best known and most respected are false teachers pretending to be from God.  “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.   And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”  God is not fooled, and they will be rewarded according to what they do.  Jesus is reinforcing what he told them in Matthew 7:21-23.