Summoned before the King

Read John 5:1 through 6:71

Long ago in a distant land, a certain king had two servants. One served joyfully, because he loved the king and his family. The other served the king grudgingly and used his position to line his own pockets.

One winter night, the king’s enemy gained entry into the castle and took the king hostage. The distraught queen, not knowing who had betrayed her husband, had both of the servants locked in the dungeon. When the king escaped in the spring and returned to his castle, he summoned the two servants from the dungeon. The good servant was rewarded for his faithfulness, but the wicked servant was put to death, for it was he who had betrayed his king to the enemy.

When we are one day summoned to appear before the throne of God, we will either rise to life or rise to be condemned (John 5:28,29). Those who serve God faithfully have nothing to fear from death and the judgment that will follow. But those who serve themselves have only punishment to anticipate. May we be among those for whom a summons is good news.

Thought for Today: For the believer, “going to your reward” is not just another way to speak of dying, but a real reminder of what awaits us after we die.

Quicklook:John 5:16–30

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