40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” Matthew 10:40–42 ESV)
In today’s text, Jesus brought His instructions to the Twelve Apostles to a conclusion. In preparing them for service, He gave them authority over diseases (Matt. 10:1-4). He sent them out to minister to the Jews alone (10:5-15). He compared them to sheep in the midst of wolves (10:16-23). He warned them that people would malign them because they belonged to Him (10:24-25). He commanded them to have no fear (10:26-33). He prepared them for conflict among people caused by the Gospel (10:34-39).
Finally, Jesus taught His men three more truths. They concern the sender, the sent and the behavior by the recipients.
First, “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” To receive (δέχομαι; dechomai) means to welcome, accept and believe. The logical flow in the text is that people who welcomed the apostles’ Gospel welcomed Jesus Christ who commissioned the apostles with the Gospel. By doing so, they also welcomed God the Father who sent the Gospel message by Jesus Christ.
Second, “The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.” The principle here is that those who receive ambassadors, or emissaries, of another are in effect receiving the individual who sent them. To receive the disciples of Jesus Christ is to receive Jesus Christ who sent the disciples.
Third, “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” Jesus pronounced an oracle of blessing upon those who received the messengers along with the message. Kindness shown to Jesus’ disciples by individuals will be kindness Jesus will show them in the future. Mercy shown will be mercy given.
“If anyone would receive [the disciples] in a friendly manner, and do them kind offices, [Jesus] would be as highly pleased as if their benevolence had been exercised towards his own person; and not only so, but that in such a sacrifice God the Father would smell a sweet savor,” explains John Calvin.
The relationship between Christ and His disciples is that what we do for a believer we do for the Savior. Even if we are not in full-time ministry, all believers in Christ serve Jesus Himself when we provide for the Gospel’s extension.
How may you serve the living Savior today by serving others?
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 