Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me also welcomes the one who sent me. Anyone who welcomes a prophet, just because that person is a prophet, will be given the same reward as a prophet. Anyone who welcomes a good person, just because that person is good, will be given the same reward as a good person. And anyone who gives one of my most humble followers a cup of cool water, just because that person is my follower, will surely be rewarded.
Matthew 10:40-42
I remember listening to a prominent New Zealand church leader telling an audience that Christians are called to serve Christians only. Not people outside the church. It was disturbing stuff. My congregation was in the middle of a heated discussion on the expansion of our shoppers’ creche, an expansion that would need investment in a safety fence and toilet facilities for children and disabled. I could see a number of my fellow leaders grasping at a reason not to serve the community we lived in.
The preacher explained to us that Jesus only meant his followers to look after each other. “By this will all men know that you are my disciples, that you have love for one another.” Those on the outside, he said, will look at your care for each other and long to join you.
For many reasons I didn’t buy into this approach. For one, I don’t believe Christians looking after themselves only is an attractive sight to those on the outside. It only brings a reputation for being inward looking and stingy. For another, I don’t think Jesus was talking here about who his followers should be looking after.
The context here is a commission to go into places that may appear inhospitable. His disciples must have been afraid of rejection, misunderstanding, a feeling of inadequacy and finding nowhere to eat, drink and sleep. Jesus has told them they must not take money with them. They have to rely on the generosity of the locals.
So, he says, whoever welcomes you as a prophet will receive the reward of a prophet. Whoever welcomes you as a good person will receive the reward of a good person. And whoever gives you a cup of cold water because you are my follower will also be rewarded.
But what is the reward of a prophet? Usually rejection, misunderstanding, a feeling of inadequacy and finding nowhere to eat, drink and sleep! Maybe Jesus is reminding his followers that those who will give them hospitality may end up paying the same costs of mission. “Don’t take their welcome for granted.”