Those who received God

As we look into all the teachings of the Bible, we must recognize the true nature of the incarnated God and have right faith.

Mt 10/40-41 [“He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward”]

 Jesus says that anyone who receives a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Likewise, he who receives God will receive God’s reward.

 There were many lepers in Israel, yet not one of them was cleansed only Naaman the Aramean. And there were many widows in Israel, but only the widow of Zarephath received God’s favor; she could survive the famine when it hadn’t rained for three and a half years.

They were thus blessed because they recognized and received God’s prophets by understanding God’s will (LK 4/25-27). 

Like them, only those who recognize and received God when He comes in the flesh and help His work - those who fear God and ask in faith - will received an eternal reward prepared for them in heaven.

Mt 26/6-13 『…a woman came to him with am alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she had done will also be told, in memory of her.”』

The pouring out of the perfume itself might not be memorable and worthy to be remembered. However, Jesus saw her heart of devotion, her affection with holy respect for God who came to this earth in the flesh. That was shy Jesus said, “Where this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she had done will also be told in memory of her.”

Those who rightly recognized and received God, whether He was in the spirit or in the flesh, and asked Him for salvation, were always blessed with good results.

So was the robber on the right said of Jesus. While all people ridiculed and slandered Jesus, he recognized Him as God and entreated Him. Jesus immediately replied to him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (LK 23/32-43).

By these words Jesus saved him. Let’s now consider whether or not we have such an honor and respect for God who come in the flesh. All the things that happened in the days of Jesus, 2,000years ago, are good examples for us, upon whom the end of the ages has come.

The history of salvation has been maintained by those who recognized God, and the aroma of Christ has now been spread to the ends of the earth.