40“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.41He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
Jesus closed His second sermon (the Mission Discourse) with this section (10:40-42), which deals with reward for those who treat the apostles with hospitality. Not all will reject them as apostles. Jesus gave three equivalent ways that people can receive/welcome His apostles:
As a prophet in the name of a prophet
As a devout person in the name of a devout person
As little ones in the name of a disciple
10:40
“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
There is a close correlation between Christ and His apostles. Receiving a messenger of Christ is equal to receiving Christ Himself. The word “receives” is literally welcomes. This may allude to providing hospitality for travelers. Receiving Christ is equal to receiving the Father. It
was the Father who sent out the first missionary—Jesus Himself.
10:41
He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward.
The overriding issue in chapter 10 has to do with Jesus launching His mission to Israel. Here He asserted that those who turn positive volition to that mission will receive a prophet’s reward.
A prophet is someone who carries a commission from God. When a person comes in the name of a prophet, he comes with divine office. It is not so much the prophet as the office of the prophet that is the issue. Those who respect the office of the prophet will receive the prophet’s reward. A “reward” is recompense—something a person receives for doing something for someone else.
And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
Our criterion of judgment about a messenger of God is his character (righteousness). The idea is this: “Is he devout to the will of God?” Any other criterion such as attractiveness, personality, and charisma are not valid.
10:42
And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
Small acts of kindness to Jesus’ messengers (little ones) will get a reward. Jesus keeps account of such things.
PRINCIPLE:
God gives unique importance to ministers of the gospel.
APPLICATION:
A country that receives an ambassador from another country establishes formal relations between them. Followers of Christ need to take heed regarding how they welcome ministers of the gospel
No act of kindness towards a messenger of Jesus Christ will go unnoticed by God.
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.Heb 6:10
