06/27/2020
Matthew 10:40-42, 40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
The Gospel will not only find those who oppose it, but those who assist it. Christ gives three sayings concerning those who receive and support the Gospel. He spoke of the punishment for those who oppose the Gospel but there is also reward for those who receive and promote it. Those who faithfully serve the Lord and who faithfully support His workers will be rewarded.
Jesus identify Himself with those who are on mission with Him. In verse 40 Jesus identifies with us and connects us with the Father. “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” A striking aspect of this passage is Jesus’ identification with His own. The reception of the Messiah’s missionary and message amounts to receiving Jesus Christ. The mission was the Father's, who authorized it and sent His Son to bring it into being, who in turn authorizes and sends His disciples on the Father's mission. The blessing is that while the disciples are on mission for Christ those who receive them as Christ's messengers and representatives received Christ and His Father. It is hard to imagine receiving a greater blessing.
Verse 41 specifies that anyone who supports the missionaries and his work will be rewarded by God “He 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.” A prophet's reward is the blessing given by God to the one He has commissioned and sent as return for his labor. To receive one who has placed one's self at their service recognize the goodness and the authority in another. They support them with their encouragement, prayer, gifts, and thus enter into their labors and will share their reward. He that helps a prophet of God because he is a prophet of God has the making of a prophet within himself.
The last verse enforces what was just stated in verses 40 & 41. Verse 42 declares that a insignificant service done to the most insignificant of Christ’s servants will bring a future reward to the person who assist from the Lord Himself. “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” The “little ones” is a term of affection because they are precious to Christ.
It refers to those the world may look upon as insignificant such as little children. Our love for Jesus can be seen in how we treat and minister to those who can't return the favor. Jesus stated the disciple’s value to the Father and His care extends to reward those who care for their needs. Many people wait a lifetime to do something great, overlooking what they could have accomplished by countless small deeds done with self-sacrifice and love. The size of a loving deed is not what counts the most. Rather, it's the motive behind it and the sacrifice that accompanies it. Any small kindness done in the name of Christ or one of his followers will never ever go unrewarded. Whatever you do in Christ's name, taking no credit to yourself, is sure to be a blessing to some thirsting soul, and noticed by God.
The Bible says love can be seen and touched; it's tangible. It may be as big as the Good Samaritan's care for an injured man in Luke 10:30-37, or as small as a cup of cold water given in Jesus' name. Real love takes action. The Bible says, "Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth" l John 3:18. You may give without loving, but you can't love without giving. Take the words of Matthew 10 to heart. Die to self. Live for Jesus. Boldly confess Christ, and show love to Him in all things. You enlarge your capacity by enlarging your ministry, your service to God by ministering to His people, be it children, righteous men, or prophets.
Dear Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner in need of forgiveness. I believe that You died on the cross to take the punishment that I deserve for my sins and that You were raised from the dead. Please forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and life as my Savior and Lord. From this day forward, please be glorified in and through me. Thank You for Your amazing grace. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
