Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.
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.
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of water because he is a disciple,
truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
Matt. 10: 40-42
This passage has puzzled me for years. What does it mean?
As always, the key to understanding a passage of scripture is to understand the context in which it is written.
This passage is tucked into a chapter of Matthew where Jesus sends out his Apostles to learn ministry. In chapter 10, Jesus gives his disciples a mission with instructions (vss. 5-15), He then tells them they will face persecution (vss. 16-25), but they should not worry because whoever acknowledges him before men He will acknowledge before the Father (vss. 26-33). Then He concludes with the promise that He came to bring not peace, but a sword (vss. 34-39). (This is another tough passage.) His final instructions are included in our passage above. They are a promise that whoever does receive the disciples will get a reward.
This is one tough passage. How do we interpret and understand it?
As always, the key to understanding a passage of scripture is to understand the context in which it is written.
This passage is tucked into a chapter of Matthew where Jesus sends out his Apostles to learn ministry. In chapter 10, Jesus gives his disciples a mission with instructions (vss. 5-15), He then tells them they will face persecution (vss. 16-25), but they should not worry because whoever acknowledges him before men He will acknowledge before the Father (vss. 26-33). Then He concludes with the promise that He came to bring not peace, but a sword (vss. 34-39). (This is another tough passage.) His final instructions are included in our passage above. They are a promise that whoever does receive the disciples will get a reward.
This is one tough passage. How do we interpret and understand it?
In this passage, the controlling verse is 10:40 "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me." After affirming that His person and message would cause divisions even within families, Jesus promises that those to receive the truth of His person and message will share in the blessings of God. In other words, receiving the disciples illustrates folks received their message.
Here is where I find the passage extremely interesting. Why would Jesus say such a thing?
The obvious answer is that His disciples will be telling about and performing miracles to prove the Kingdom of God is here in the person and message of Jesus. Thus, to receive them means to believe them. At the very least it means to affirm an openness to listen. To such openness, Jesus promises blessing and reward.
The obvious answer is that His disciples will be telling about and performing miracles to prove the Kingdom of God is here in the person and message of Jesus. Thus, to receive them means to believe them. At the very least it means to affirm an openness to listen. To such openness, Jesus promises blessing and reward.
We are a blessing in society when we live and declare the reality of the Kingdom as we found it in Christ. Some will be shocked and dismayed by this testimony. In fact, in some areas of the country, nothing will make you more unpopular and an outcast than declaring that you believe in Jesus.
To this rejection, Jesus says fear not for I am with you. Our testimony of faith might cause division. Jesus tells us that such division is part of the game if you wish to be part of the growth of the Kingdom. He tells us,
To this rejection, Jesus says fear not for I am with you. Our testimony of faith might cause division. Jesus tells us that such division is part of the game if you wish to be part of the growth of the Kingdom. He tells us,
"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Matt. 10:38-39.
In other words, why are we protecting our reputation with others and not concerned with our faithfulness to Jesus? He is worth some division and persecution. In fact, as we testify to the reality of His Kingdom, we will find true life as we take our reputation from His love for us.
In my experience, when we declare who Jesus is with love and integrity, most people respond favorably. Some do not, but most will listen. Particularly those who know you. As they listen with openness, God will call some to faith. I have found this to be true even as I have lived in some of the most secular areas of the United States.
The beautiful promise of this passage is that we will be a blessing. We will be salt and light. All that is needed is for us to be willing to open our mouth and declare what God has done for us in Christ.
The beautiful promise of this passage is that we will be a blessing. We will be salt and light. All that is needed is for us to be willing to open our mouth and declare what God has done for us in Christ.
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