Smoodock's Blog

As Jesus concludes his discourse with his disciples, Matthew brings “book two” of his five-book narrative to a close. Remember in the beginning of our study of the Gospel of Matthew, we came to understand Matthew doesn’t necessarily narrate Jesus’ ministry chronologically. He builds his narrative around themes, and each theme contains Jesus’ words and deeds that pertain to that theme, regardless of where they would appear chronologically in Jesus’ public ministry. Each “book” concludes with one of Jesus’ long discourses, so Matthew’s second “book” of Jesus’ public ministry ends with Jesus sending out the Twelve and telling them what to do and what not to do, and what they can expect, when they obey him.

What one might expect is that Jesus would tell his disciples how they would be rewarded for their service, but he doesn’t do that. What Jesus does do is tell his disciples how the folks who received them will be rewarded! How this is done permits us to draw certain conclusions about those people who treat Jesus’ disciples well.

Jesus begins by saying both he and the Father identify with the Apostles and what they do in Jesus’ name. He says that, when they are received well, it means that the folks who receive them also receive Jesus and his Father (Matthew 10:4). What comes to mind at this point is the conclusion of the Olivet discourse in Matthew 25. There Jesus tells his disciples that although many who hear them aren’t Jesus’ disciples, some, perhaps, not even knowing Jesus, are rewarded because they, specifically, had mercy on one of the least of his Apostles, or, generally speaking, of the least of any disciple of Jesus who later preached the word of God to others (Matthew 25:40). The point is that sometimes we confuse spiritual salvation with physical salvation. There are folks who will be saved alive out of a crisis, while others will be judged and slain. Nevertheless, Jesus died for all men and paid the price for everyone (1Timothy 4:10; 1John 2:2; 4:14). Our salvation is **not** our reward from Christ but his gift to all of us, including the world. The rewards mentioned in Matthew 10:41-43 have nothing to do with our salvation. They have to do with the kindness of some folks to those who are sent by Jesus. They are the rewards given for services rendered to Jesus’ disciples.

According to Jesus, anyone who shows hospitality to one of his disciples in the name of a prophet, vis-à-vis he believes Jesus’ disciple is a prophet of God, will receive a prophet’s reward. Elijah, the prophet was fed by a certain widow who had only enough for one final meal during a famine, she shared it with Elijah and she and her son had enough to eat throughout the rest of the famine (1Kings 17:9-16). Not only so, but when her son fell sick and died, Elijah raised her son up for her and she received him back (1Kings 17:17-24).

As for receiving Jesus’ disciples in the name of a righteous man, vis-à-vis they may not fully understand their message or believe it themselves, but they consider those sent by Jesus as good or righteous people. They shall receive a “righteous man’s reward,” which is according to their doings (Luke 14:13-14; cp. Isaiah 3:10; 2Thessalonians 1:6-7). In other words, they will be saved alive out of trouble, and they’ll have enough for their needs during the time of trouble.

Jesus refers to those he sends out as little ones (Matthew 10:42). The idea points to the fact that they are not great ones, great leaders, great teachers, great philosophers etc. They are ordinary people who have been gifted with knowledge and understanding that cannot be learned in this world’s schools What they have has been given them by God, and they freely give it away to others (Matthew 10:8; cp. 1Corinthians 2:12). Not everyone wants to be associated with Christ. Such a thing goes against their worldview, which they embrace as true. Yet, few would refuse a drink of cold water to a thirsty man or woman. When someone does so, knowing that he gives to one of Jesus’ disciples, he will not lose his reward (Matthew 10:42)..