Jesus warned us that teaching others to disobey the commands of God would make us least in the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 5:19 and whoever keeps the commands of God teaching others to do the same would be great in the kingdom of heaven.
But what does it matter if we are great or small in the kingdom of heaven or the messianic age? After all, just being there is what we will care about right. Having crowns or not having crowns to throw at the feet of Jesus should not matter, right?
There are many rewards mentioned in the bible, the book of Revelation tells of several rewards from new names to special stones and of course those crowns. Many godly men and women have told me that they would be happy with a shack in heaven rather than a mansion, but maybe we should reconsider that approach.
Jesus made it clear that when we are faithful with little we will be given much more and Paul told of our lives being valued with silver, gold and precious stones vs. wood, hay and stubble. The Lord advised us to lay up treasures in heaven, would he tell us to do so if it were not important?
The fact is that we do not have a good understanding of life in the messianic age and what we will need there. Everything the bible tells us of this life describes a temporary condition while the life to come is described as everlasting.
Jesus gave great weight to living a scripture centered life of faith based on grace. He emphasized keeping even the least command, which comes with the same reward as one of the so-called great commandments to honor your father and mother.
The least commandment tells us to not take the mother bird with her eggs but shoo her away, we are told the reward is “that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.”
How many of us want it to be well with us not only in this life but in the life to come?
