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Matthew

Matthew 
Day 
Day 161

Precious Words of Encouragement

Text: Matthew 10 : 32- 42

Jesus did not want His disciples to end up feeling depressed or defeated because they had to think through so many hard issues! People with lesser strength of character and faith would flinch and think twice about following Jesus! However, He knew His disciples well. He knew that all of them would make it, except Judas Iscariot. His heart and mind had never been that deeply touched in the first place.

To all the faithful disciples, Jesus had these precious words of encouragement for them.

“He who receives you receives Me, and he
who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
Matthew 10:40

What astounding words these were! How these must have lifted the hearts of the disciples.

“He who receives you receives Me…”

There will be some who would oppose them. The disciples had already seen that in the life and ministry of their Master. Of course they can expect no less from their common enemies.

However, there would be those who would receive them! This thought made the ministry ahead sound promising and exciting! There would be people who would welcome their preaching. There would be people who would receive them as servants of the Lord!

But wait, there was more to what Jesus said. There was a direct tie-up between the disciples and Jesus. There was greater significance than just being well received! The people who received the disciples well, would in fact be receiving Jesus Himself!

The significance of this statement must not be lost! The converse would also be true, wouldn’t it? If people rejected the disciples, it would be the same as rejecting Jesus Himself! What a profound thought this was!

“And he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me…”

This was even more profound. There was a three-way tie-up here! If people were to receive the disciples well, they would also be receiving Jesus and the Father in heaven too! The depth of significance was breath-taking! The ministry that they had been entrusted with was deeply profound indeed.

It wasn’t just a matter of being sent to preach the Gospel. Nor was it just a matter of going out there to do good deeds, like healing people and casting out demons. The most significant thing about their ministry was the way in which Jesus and God the Father would be involved! The disciples were therefore no less than ambassadors for the Lord. They would represent Jesus and the Father in the most profound way. Others may not understand it in this manner, but they must treasure this thought!

SPECIAL REWARDS

Jesus concluded His instructions to the disciples on a strong and happy note. Let us take time to ponder these words.

“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. 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.”
Matthew 10:41-42

How would people receive the disciples? Jesus highlighted three possible ways in which they could be received.

1. Received as prophets

There would be some who were discerning. As they listen to the messages of the disciples, they would recognize them as true servants of God. They would honour them as the ancient prophets of God were honoured. Their regard for the servants of God would not go unrewarded.

2. Received as a righteous men

Some others might not use the word “prophet” easily. They might not use this word to describe the disciples. However, as they discover more about them, they would at least credit them as “righteous men”. The disciples would not be ill-treated if they were regarded as righteous men. Their hosts would be blessed by the Lord for having treated the disciples of Jesus with due respect.

3. Received as disciples

There would be still others who would not go very far in according honours to the disciples. They would note that the disciples were relatively inexperienced in ministry. They would recognize them as still in the training stage – as disciples.

They would not fete them as prophets. They would not celebrate them as outstanding righteous men either. What did they deserve for all their efforts at preaching and teaching? With good humour, Jesus said that at least they would be given a cup of refreshing cold water! But even this act would be noted by the Lord and the giver would be duly rewarded!

THE KEY THOUGHT TO BEAR IN MIND

The most challenging thought to bear in mind was that the disciples who were sent off on their ministry was very well and carefully chosen. The disciples were representing Jesus and God the Father in heaven. They must never lose sight of the significance of this vital truth! Whoever received the disciples, were receiving Jesus and the Father. Whoever rejected them was also rejecting Jesus and the Father!