From what I have read, this is how our society has survived and thrived, via the principal of reciprocity. On the dark side, marketing experts are most excellent at taking advantage of human nature, why, all they have to do is ask, How are you?, and they have primed the pump of potential consumers, to respond warmly to the inquiry, and next to their sales pitch.
In stark contrast, Christians are called to care for those that cannot reciprocate due to their plight, age, or position in society:
When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands (Deuteronomy 24:19)
In the verse above, we see that a stranger, an orphan, a widow, may be in need of food without the ability to provide for themselves, making them vulnerable to starvation. God commands the farmer to be generous with his harvest, because, dear reader, after all, God has been generous with him! Nutrient rich soil, rain, sunshine, seeds or grain to plant then harvest, they are all gifts from God, meant to be appreciated and shared. This is where reciprocity was first taught: God to man, with the express purpose of man taking up godly ways by following his example.
Let us turn now to the apostles/disciples, who really didn't comprehend what was happening when they saw Jesus taking care of the masses out of compassion, healing them and feeding them, and performing miracles everywhere he went. How odd it must have been, that Jesus worked not for money, and yet he ate, and made miraculously bread and fish multiply for thousands of followers. He had no place to lay his head, and yet commanded the wind and rain. He came as King in the form of a new born baby, and thirty-three years later, conquered death, by allowing the murderous to raise their fists against him, and have him crucified as their enemy.
The apostles were not too sure how to take Jesus. With a very humanistic view complimented by a religious history, it is understandable that they looked for what they would get out of their relationship with him. Perhaps a better seat at the table in heaven? Maybe a partner and leader to overthrown their overlords? Possibly agreement from him, to bring down fire from above to destroy people they perceived as his enemies?
They just plain old didn't get it, when he said:
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)
What we know for sure, is that John, purportedly Jesus' favourite, was there with Jesus' mother during the darkest day in the history of humanity, as Jesus hung dying on the cross.
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! (John 19:26)
Where were the ten remaining apostles? And where, pray tell, were Jesus' half brothers and sisters? Why did he give his mother to John to take care of?
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home (John 19:27)
Interestingly enough, on an historical note, John was the only apostle that was not martyred: he did live a long life, the end of it spent alienated from the world as a prisoner on the Greek Island of Patmos, and yet his is credited as the love apostle... read John 1, 2, and 3, for a sweet experience of godly love.
Back to the apostles...
Ten apostles were martyred, after they witnessed the death and resurrection of their LORD, their God, their King, their promised Saviour. They finally understood Who he was and what he had done for them, and by God, they were compelled and delighted to follow in his footsteps, sharing the gospel with all that would hear, and hopefully receive the Good News. They were willing to die for this life altering and saving truth, that Jesus was the Christ, the promised Messiah!
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)
Jesus modelled the purest love, dying for the sins of the world, and willingly laying down his life for his friends. The apostles fearlessly did the same, wanting none to be lost, wanting all to be saved, at the risk of life and limb. They preached that all are sinners and come short of the glory of God, and that through repentance, and sinning no more, they would be saved through the blood of Christ... THAT, is the gospel.
These men learned the most astounding form of reciprocity, and dear reader, I ask you...
Are you willing to lay down your life for your friends, by preaching the gospel at the risk of losing all you have, including your earthly existence?
The apostle Paul stated:
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)
Is this true for you? Do you live with Christ as your God? Do you have the confidence that whether you live or die, you will be with him in eternity as your gain, your wonderful reward for fidelity?
Are you, dear reader, ready to reciprocate?
If you are, then know you will not be a popular person by any stretch of the imagination. Know that you will be hated for speaking Biblical truth and that you may lose a few "friends" along the way.
The Way... The Truth... The Life...
Jesus is all that matters, and when we see reciprocal in the light of eternity, the price we pay in this life, is nominally trivial.
For to me, and I hope to you too, dear reader, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
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