READ: John 21:15-19
“…be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
Rewards are some of the highest forms of motivation, which we find in existence. Learn to reward people. Even Jesus expected His reward (Hebrews 12:3).
Jesus was motivated by the thought of His reward. Why do you think an athlete runs around for hours everyday? Why do you think boxers subject themselves to severe, dangerous and life-threatening knocks on the head? It is because of the joy of a million dollars or more that will come after the knocking is over. The joy that is set before people will make them do almost anything.
When Jesus spoke to Peter He told him about His death. He predicted that Peter would die in a way that he might not like. “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and an- other shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me” (John 21:18,19).
Perhaps, the key that made Peter willing to die was the fact that Jesus Himself had set the example. Jesus had shown that there was a great reward in following.
Rewards can make people do almost anything! People who have died for the cause of Christ, died willingly, thinking of the reward that lay ahead.