There Is Heavenly Reward for Both

John 12:9-11 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. 

Jesus told His disciples that the world would hate them because it also hated Him. What was Lazarus' part in Jesus' miracle? His part was a simple one. He died. That's it. However, it was obvious that once Jesus brought him back from the dead that Lazarus did not waste his second chance at living a life that glorified Jesus. These verses tell us that many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus because of Lazarus' testimony for the Lord. Can we make the same claim about our life and testimony for Jesus? Is our new life in Christ making a difference for the Kingdom? Is there such a difference in who we are now, in Christ, that those who new us before are now curious about our Christian life? Do we still diligently seek opportunities to tell others about what Jesus has done to give us new life, and does the way we now live line up with what we tell others about who we now are in Christ? On the flip side of the coin, are we also experiencing the backlash from those who reject Jesus? Are we living in such contradiction to the ways of the world that we make those who love the world uncomfortable? Our testimony and life for Jesus should bring about both. If it is not, then we must ask ourselves, "Am I not living for the Lord as I should, thereby not being the salt and light that I should be? On the other hand, am I also compromising what I believe in order to avoid persecution and rejection?" The bottom line is that our life and testimony for Jesus should be opening doors for us to share Christ, while at the same time putting us in a position to suffer for the cause of Christ. In the end, there is heavenly reward for both.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).