What Can I Do For Jesus?

When people do something nice for us we often wonder what we can do for them in return. In fact we may feel obligated to return the favor, so to speak. Jesus, died for me and made it possible for me to with Him for eternity in a place where there will be no more sorrows or tears. What do you think that’s worth? What can I give Him in return?

When we give gifts we sometimes consider what a person needs. What in the world does jesus need that we can give Him? The answer is nothing. Let’s look at this gift thing from another angle. When we give gifts we sometimes consider not what a person needs but what that person wants. This is usually considered a better gift. OK, so what does Jesus want?

Love one another

(John 13:34-35 NIV) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. {35} By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Trust in Him

(John 12:35-36 NIV) Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. {36} Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

Do good works

(Eph 2:10 NIV) For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Help those in need

(Mat 25:31-40 NIV) "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. {32} All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. {33} He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. {34} "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. {35} For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, {36} I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' {37} "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? {38} When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? {39} When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' {40} "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Fight against evil

(Rom 12:21 NIV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Preach the word

(Mark 16:15 NIV) He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Believe in the Father and the Son

(John 12:44 NIV) Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.

Perform miraculous signs

(Mark 16:17-18 NIV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; {18} they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Always be vigilant and prayerful

(Mat 26:41 NIV) "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

(Luke 18:1 NIV) Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Observe Sabbath

(Luke 4:16 NIV) He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.

Observe the Lord’s Supper and footwashing

(John 13:14-17 NIV) Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. {15} I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. {16} I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. {17} Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Show patience, be repentant, and quick to listen but slow to speak.

(James 1:19 NIV) My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

(2 Pet 3:9 NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Forgive as you have been forgiven

(Mat 6:14 NIV) For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

(Luke 11:4 NIV) Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'"

If we do all of these it still is not enough to repay Jesus. But, He will accept it as payment in full.

(John 3:17 NIV) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

I wish I could send a, “Thank you” card to Jesus. That would be nice. But how much nicer to give Him what He really wants. It’s not like He hasn’t given us a clue. My closing verse is this…

(James 2:18 NIV) But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

We know what He wants. Will we give it to Him?