Serving the Lord Jesus and Enjoying the Father’s Praise

I used to care a lot about what people thought of me. In fact, in high school I tried to be everybody’s friend. I was eventually class president and had made a name for myself, but I really didn’t have that many close friends. Even worse, I would change my opinions based upon who I was with in order to please them. This chameleon lifestyle was hard to keep, because it would change with each social environment.

When I was twenty years old, attending university, I met a girl I thought that I would marry. However, she had other plans. I was so devastated that I considered taking my own life. Being raised in a major denomination, I knew a little about God and His Son, Jesus Christ. I had also studied Zen Bhuddism and tried to reach satori, or enlightenment, sitting under trees on campus. That hadn’t worked. So feeling lost, I walked to a wooded area and talked to God. I told Him that I needed answers or I didn’t think I could go on living.

The very next day, a Christian man started working with me at the restaurant where I was employed. His kind, soft-spoken manner, and knowledge of the scriptures helped me understand why there was evil in the world, and that God is always good. I attended Bible fellowships and met a variety of people from different backgrounds and with widely varying personalities. After a while, I took on leadership responsibilities in this church group and began again to “make a name for myself” among them. Sadly, I allowed my pride and ego to get me to think that serving Christ was more about me than about him and what he did for me. I would get occasional moments of humility, but often I was still very concerned about what others thought of me.

After meeting my wife Sherry, we worked together to lead Bible fellowships for many years. This gave us the opportunity to learn the scriptures and minister to people. We learned about the adversary’s attacks on people’s lives—and how God provides solutions through Jesus Christ. But once again, I fell into the trap of pride and wanting to climb the church “corporate ladder.” This continued until our marriage was in shambles and our ability to serve others became more about religion and less about Christ and his salvation.

At that point, we got honest with each other and with the Father. Since that time, I have never cared more about what people think of me than God thinks of me. One of my favorite verses is Psalms 19:14: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” I want to please my heavenly Father. I also like the truth in Micah 6:8: “and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

In order to be Christlike, we need to know how our savior lived on earth. At both Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration, God audibly told those nearby that Jesus was a Son in whom his Father was well pleased. Jesus himself said in John 8:29 that “he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” That’s how I want to live each day.

Shortly before his crucifixion and death, Jesus was spending time with those he loved, including Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary. Mary lovingly anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. The local religious leaders in Jerusalem were concerned because many had heard about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead after being four days in the grave. These people could see Lazarus and were therefore leaving the Pharisees’ control and turning to Jesus. When he entered Jerusalem, crowds thronged their Messiah and welcomed him to the city of the great king.

This all happened just before Passover, and some gentiles came to Jerusalem to worship. They asked Jesus’ disciple, Philip, if they could see Jesus. When Philip and Andrew told this to Jesus, he realized that the time of his death was approaching. Look at what Jesus said in John 12:24-26:

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Jesus explained the importance of putting the Father first in our lives. He didn’t say that we were to look good in front of the religious community. In fact, he often said the opposite: if we are to pray, go into a closet and be rewarded by the Father; when you fast, don’t let others know; when you give alms, let the Father reward you for your giving heart.

Look again at John 12:26: “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” When we make it our joy to follow Jesus and serve him as our Lord, then we will be with him. And if we serve our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father will give us honor and praise. We will be beloved children in whom our heavenly Father is well pleased.

Many people did believe on Jesus, but it was difficult for some of the chief rulers at Jerusalem to make it public. They did not have their priorities straight.

John 12:42,43:
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Do you realize how much time Jesus spent in prayer? There are many Bible records of him starting well before sunrise and talking with his Father. That is a great example for us. Why not start each day, even for a few moments, going to the Father about what we should be doing that day? God has foreknowledge, He knows all things that will be. Perhaps getting His perspective before launching into a new day would help.

People tend to put things ahead of God and His Son Jesus Christ: work, entertainment, social engagements, even family. Yet, it is only when we keep God and His Son first in our lives, that those other things will be the best. The first commandment tells us to have no other gods before the true God. Today, people still fall into the Devil’s trap and make other gods for themselves.

This is described in I Corinthians 8:5 and 6:

For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, is the only real God. All things are from Him. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live on earth and face the Devil’s worst tricks. Hebrews 4:15 says that Jesus “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Now we are born again of God’s spirit by the accomplished works of Christ. We have access to the Father through him.

The next verse in Hebrews 4 says that we should “therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Remember: all things are of God our Father, the only God. And all things are through Jesus Christ, our only Lord. We know he is truly Lord, because God raised him from the dead.

Let’s live today, praising our loving Father and serving our Lord Jesus Christ. Then we too will be well-pleasing to the Father, and receive our honor from Him, not from those in the world around us.