Quid Pro Quo with Jesus

This may sound to some that Jesus wants something from us to give something to us. I guess to some degree that is true and I have to say that I am all in with that way of thinking.

“³²So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, ³³but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 10:32-33 (ESV)

Here we find Jesus indicating that when we acknowledge Him, He acknowledges us in return. And, the opposite is true as well. Notice that in order to be acknowledged by Jesus, what we are to give in return is simply acknowledgment of Him. And, we will be denied when we deny Him. There is the something for something in return.

I will say that where it is simple in word, it is not as simple in deed. I must acknowledge the LORD and do so with all that I am. I give myself over to Him with all of me and when I do, I am acknowledging His greatness and holiness and rule over me. I am to be fully committed to His rule over my life and actions and now and future. In return, God will devote all of Himself to me. And there we have the quid pro quo.

Here is where things are a bit different in the idea of the quid pro quo with Jesus. Once I have given myself to Him, He does not turn His back on me. Even when I may fall away due to my human qualities, He does not abandon me. Even when I may not acknowledge Him fully, He does not turn away from me. Even when I may experience challenges, He continues to support and love and acknowledge me. So my quid is just the full acknowledgment of Jesus and He provides the forever quo.

Jesus is family who will never turn His back on me. Since I have joined the family, He comforts, guides, protects, defends, and acknowledges me for eternity. I gave Him me and He gave me Himself.

What are your thoughts on what you get from Jesus? Are you looking for something from Him without giving anything of yourself? What if you remembered the quid pro quo with Jesus, you acknowledge Him and give all of yourself to receive all of Him in return?