Eternal Rewards and How To Get 'Em (Matthew 19:27–20:28)

The God of the universe calls and invites all people to obey him, to fellowship with him, and to serve him and, like a wise parent, he motivates his children in a variety of ways. Sometimes God motivates with fear (e.g., Rev 2:16). The reality of hell is terrifying and, rightly understood, is hugely incentivizing to trust in the One who can save us from it. Other times, God motivates with love (e.g., John 14:15). As we grow in an understanding of all God has done, is doing, and will do for us we are propelled by gratitude toward allegiance, commitment, and submission. There are also times God motivates with rewards (e.g., Rev 2:10, 26; 3:21). These are perks and accolades that go beyond everlasting life and, just like fear and love, can be very motivating. No doubt, that’s why God uses them to spur his people on toward faithfulness. Jesus’s first century disciples needed some clarification on the topic of future rewards and the Holy Spirit saw fit to record and preserve this lesson for Jesus’s twenty-first century disciples as well.