Matthew 10  V 40-42

 These verses tell,  that the one who welcomes one of the disciples of Jesus, welcomes Jesus, and even welcomes the one who sent Jesus, God the Father. There are rewards for those who welcome God’s  messengers. If someone receives a prophet, they receive the same rewards as the  prophet, even if just giving a drink of water to one of Jesus’ disciples will be noted.

 There is a sense of hospitality involved, and the disciple can tell the one who offers hospitality, that God will reward them.  Jesus saw His messengers as prophetic figures, who will one day enter the Kingdom of God, and be present at the messianic banquet.

 Jesus was using a way of speaking which Jews would understand. The Jew always felt that to receive a messenger of a friend, was like receiving the friend.  The Jew also felt to receive a representative was to honor the representative who sent him. This was particularly so in regard to someone who bought God’s message.

 Matthew saw preaching and teaching was of the first importance of the ministry of Jesus, rather than the healing of the other gospel writers.  If healing, Jesus would heal and the person healed would be able to go on living, but if Jesus gives the gospel there will be eternal benefit.  There is here something good for a simple and humble person. We cannot all be prophets or preachers of the Word of God, but who show hospitality, willreceive  reward.

 There are many good men and women who have been a public figure, or gained public notice, have done much public service. They would if honorable, readily state that they had help and support from someone who will never be generally known. When true greatness is considered in the sight of God, all will  be recognized.

How many men if honest, would attribute their own success to the woman who prepared his meals. Other necessities ,and care of his children. There should be given every honor for the love and support for wives or friends, but I doubt that such  rarely happens.

 n this passage we set out the link in the chain to salvation.  There is God, out of whose love the whole of salvation was begun. There is Jesus who brought the message to men. There is the messenger or prophet who speaks the good news. There is the believer who welcomes God’s man, and receives the good news.

 The passage lays stress on the simple things, and the people whose help never gets known.  The Church will always need teachers and leaders, who will become well-known. But the Church will also need those who help in the preparation of services to be held, and for those who stay in the background and give attention to the every-day work with loving care and attention, which enable the Minister to perform his function.

                       

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k in the chain to salvation.  There is God, out of whose love the whole of salvation was begun. There is Jesus who brought the message to men. There is the messenger or prophet who speaks the good news. There is the believer who welcMatthew   that the one who welcomes one of the disciples of Jesus, welcomes Jesus, and even welcomes the one who sent Jesus, God the Father. There are rewards for those who welcome God’s  messengers. If someone receives a prophet, they receive the same rewards as the  prophet, even if just giving a drink of water to one of Jesus’ disciples will be noted.