The Reward of His Suffering

I came across a powerful story recently in my time of study—and it hasn’t left me since.

In 1732, two young Moravian men, Johann Dober and David Nitschmann, stood on a dock in Germany, preparing to leave their families, their comfort, and everything they knew. They had heard of enslaved Africans in the West Indies who had no access to the gospel. Moved by the conviction that Christ deserved the worship of every soul, they volunteered to go—knowing it might cost them their freedom. Some say they were even willing to sell themselves into slavery just to reach the people no one else was reaching.

As the ship pulled away from the harbor, with their loved ones watching from the shore, they shouted these unforgettable words:
“May the Lamb who was slain receive the reward of His suffering!”

I haven’t been able to shake that line. It echoes something straight from heaven itself—Revelation 5:12 says:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”

Christ is worthy—not just of our belief, but of our full allegiance. Not just of our Sunday mornings, but of every waking moment. He is worthy of a life fully laid down.

But here’s where it hit home: those two men weren’t running from suffering—they were walking into it. Willingly. Purposefully. Because they believed it would open the door for others to see Jesus.

And it’s made me think... maybe the same is true for us.

We may not be boarding ships or crossing oceans. But every one of us faces trials, hardships, and painful seasons. What if those very places of suffering are actually our connection points with others? What if it’s through our struggles—when we stay faithful, stay humble, and keep our eyes on Jesus—that others see the real power of the gospel?

People don’t need to see men who are perfect. They need to see men who suffer well. Who grieve with hope. Who persevere with strength. Who love when it’s hard. Who stay when it would be easier to walk away.

The Moravian missionaries believed that their sacrifice would lead others to salvation. And they were right. History shows that revival broke out among the people they reached.

So I’ll ask the same question I’ve been asking myself:

What “reward” will Jesus receive from my life?

Will my family see His love?
Will my coworkers see His character?
Will my friends and community see that He’s worthy—even when life hurts?

Legacy Men, let’s not run from the hard things. Let’s lean into them. Let’s embrace the moments of suffering, not as wasted pain, but as sacred ground—opportunities to point others to the Lamb who was slain.

Because He is worthy.
And He deserves the full reward of His suffering.