ESOCS Devotional 7 January 2023
TEXT: JOHN 12:20-36
MEMORY VERSE: “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I AM, there will also My servants be. If anyone serves Me, him will My Father honour.” John 12:26 KJV
In Matthew 6:33, the Bible demands that we seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness that results from following or serving Jesus. The end result is that all other good things of life shall be added to the believer. It follows therefore that if anyone would seek first the satisfaction of earthly desires, in order not to glorify God in this life, such a person stands to lose greatly, and even miss eternal life. Moreover, if one does not give or surrender his life to Jesus, then he will not receive that grace which will preserve his life unto everlasting life, (John 6:51; Matthew 10:39; Mark 8:35).
In verses 26 and 51 of our text, the emphasis is on “if anyone serves Me …” This implies that those whose faith is moved into action in order to obediently keep the commandments of Jesus will reap eternal life (John 14:1-6; 15:14). The insistence of Jesus on the need for following and serving, teaches that one must necessarily give himself in obedience to the Master.
From the point of view of discipleship, Jesus in Luke 9:23 put it this way: “… if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” This will imply caring less about the things of the world, including one’s personal welfare. Those who care of nothing for their life here on earth will keep it for eternity. It is the earnest desire of the Master that where He is, His servants will also be with Him. Then the Father will greatly reward anyone who responds in this direction. He will eventually give high honours to those who diligently serve the Son. In other words, without service, there will be no honour from the Father.
Besides the promised honour from the Father, Jesus in John 14:1-3 encourages those who follow and serve Him not to be worried or upset. He advises that such should strongly believe in Him. There are also promises that mansions of glory are abundantly available in the Father’s Home above, where they will comfortably dwell with Him, forever.
- Would you rather enjoy life here and lose the Father’s honour?
- Our Father in heaven, please grant us the grace to serve Jesus, so we shall be honoured at last.
FURTHER READING: Leviticus 25: 25-55; Song of Songs 5: 2-6; Matthew 6: 1-13.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 7 January 2023
