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Whoever welcomes you
welcomes me.

Quench our thirst for love,

Satisfy our need to be known,

Assure us that we are indeed prophets of welcome.

Let us go to proclaim this peace in God’s name.

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40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

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What will you always remember about the last months? Why is this significant for you?

What was the most challenging thing? What made it so challenging?

What have you learnt in the last months about what matters most to you ?

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Find a photo on your phone that captures what the last months have meant for you.
Can you think of key words or themes to caption the photos.
How does this help you reflect on the joys and challenges of the last months?

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What was the most humorous video or image you recall from the last months?
Share it with a colleague.
How has humour knit your community together?

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1. Find a quiet and comfortable place to read and to pray—a location free from interruption or distraction. Just as Jesus did when he removed himself from the crowds in order to pray.

2. Close your eyes. Fill your heart, focus your mind. Read the passage.

3. Read it again slowly, ponder, and reflect. Sit with a word or phrase.

4. Now is the time to listen—the time to move from your head to your heart. Be still, be quiet, just be. Wait. Keep your eyes closed, your body still, and your mind on Jesus. You may (or may not) sense a message from the Holy Spirit. This message or word must line up with God’s character and the Bible or it is not of God.

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Read the verses that come before and after Matthew 10:40-42

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10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.

11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.

34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn

41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward.

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Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 10 - New International Version

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Jesus Sends Out the Twelve - Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

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The Message

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40-42 "We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God's messenger. Accepting someone's help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I've called you into, but don't be overwhelmed by it. It's best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won't lose out on a thing."

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Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 10:40-42 - The Message

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"We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God's messenger. Accepting someone's help is as good as giving someone help.

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Our God is a welcoming God. He welcomes anyone and everyone who believes on Jesus into His family. While He lived on earth, Jesus always welcomed anyone into His presence or to wherever He was preaching at the time.

With Jesus as our example, we should never be shy about welcoming others. Whether it's welcoming friends into our home, visitors into our church, or just saying hello to a stranger on the street, as Christians we should display the welcoming attitude of God.

To help you study this welcoming attitude of God, here are seven Bible verses to get you started:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28

This verse epitomizes God's welcoming attitude. This reminder was written to the early church. It went against their culture to welcome people different from themselves (Greeks, slaves, etc.) - just like in today's world, there are some people we might find it hard to welcome based on our cultural expectations. But if someone is a believer in Christ, they are the same as we are, and should be welcomed.

"For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?" Matthew 5:46-48

This verse is about welcoming everyone, not just fellow Christians. This does not contradict the previous example, though - if anything, it takes the welcoming concept to the next logical step. It's easy to welcome those like us (other Christians), but what about those who are so different that they're not even believers? Welcoming those who have nothing in common with us should be one of the distinguishing marks of Christians.

"When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing." Luke 9:11

If we're to follow Jesus' example, then we should be as welcoming as He is here. Not only did He treat the crowds with kindness by welcoming them, He did something for them - He told them about the Kingdom and He healed them. Being welcoming is more than just saying hello - it's finding ways to bless people.

"When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them." Acts 15:4

Here is another good illustration of Christians welcoming other Christians. In this case, "they" are Paul, Barnabas, and others traveling to Jerusalem on a mission for the newly-birthed church. This passage reminds us to be not just welcoming in general, but to welcome and serve workers in the church. Whether it's a missionary, an elder, or the groundskeeper, anyone who works for the church should always be welcomed by other church workers and fellow believers.

"And thus you shall greet him: 'Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have." 1 Samuel 25:6

Peace - this is one of the simplest, easiest ways to ensure that you always have a welcoming attitude. Focus on peace - in your heart, your home, and in the words you say - and everyone around you will feel welcome.

"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." Romans 15:7

If any verse serves as a blatant reminder about Jesus' welcoming nature, this one is it. Jesus died for us so that we could be welcomed, sinless and reborn, into the presence of God. Dare we exclude or ignore others for our own petty reasons when Jesus sacrificed himself to make us welcome?

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." Matthew 25:35-36

This is probably one of the most well-known verses about welcoming others. It speaks specifically to those who might initially be hard to welcome - the poor, the sick, or anyone who we consider "different." But our kindness is not only a reflection on Christianity as a whole, but it's a direct reflection on how we think about Jesus.

Conclusion

There are many more verses about welcoming other people - after all, the entire Bible is the story of how God has welcomed all of humanity. So the next time you find yourself wanting to exclude others for a selfish reason - or wanting to reach out but not sure how to do it - start with these seven verses. Now go make someone feel welcome today!
Article by Grace Robinson

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Top 7 Bible Verses About Welcoming Other People

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Our God is a welcoming God. He welcomes anyone and everyone who believes on Jesus into His family. While He lived on earth, Jesus always welcomed anyone into His presence or to wherever He was preaching at the time. With Jesus as our example, we should never be shy about welcoming others.

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EXEGESIS:

"He who receives (Greek: dechomenos-receives) you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward."

MATTHEW 10. THE CONTEXT

To appreciate fully our brief three-verse Gospel lesson, we must know the context. In this chapter, Jesus summons the twelve disciples and gives them healing powers and authority over unclean spirits (10:1-5). He then gives them their marching orders (10:5-15). He warns that they will face persecution (10:16-25). He tells them not to fear the person who can kill the body, but rather to fear God who has power over body and soul (10:26-28). He assures them of God's love (10:29-31). He promises to acknowledge before the Father anyone who acknowledges Jesus before people (10:32-33), and warns that he has not come to bring peace, but a sword (10:34-39).

Therefore, when Jesus promises rewards to those who welcome/receive a prophet or a righteous person, the context is high-risk-a spiritual war-zone. The prophet and righteous person are taking risks for Christ, and those who help them assume similar risks. In addition to providing food, clothing, shelter, and money, they are demonstrating personal support for Christ and his church-and are serving as encouragers of those who stand on the front lines in the war against Satan and his minions.

MATTHEW 10:40-42. HE WHO RECEIVES ME

For the past two Sundays, we have heard Jesus commission the disciples. He told them, "Don't take any gold, nor silver, nor brass in your money belts. Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food." (10:9-10). He spoke of the dangers they would face, including persecution (10:16-20), rejection by their own families (10:21), and "those who kill the body" (10:28). Jesus' disciples cannot expect comfort or safety as they go about carrying out their commission.

"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me" (v. 40). Now Jesus tells the disciples that he will reward those who receive them-thereby revealing a part of his plan for provisioning ministry.

He establishes a four-way partnership between God, Jesus, disciple, and host:

* God initiated the partnership by sending Jesus.
* Jesus then sends the disciples.
* The disciples take the third step by going.
* Those who welcome the disciples take the final step by providing support.

Jesus says that welcoming (receiving) the Son is the equivalent of welcoming the Son-and welcoming the prophet earns the host a prophet's reward. This is the Jewish concept of shaliah, which regards the king's emissary as if he were the king. The principle is still practiced today. Governments consider an affront to an ambassador as an affront to the nation. On a more personal level, parents consider a gift to a child as a gift to the parent.

"He who receives a prophet...; He who receives a righteous man...; Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water" (vv. 41-42). Prophets-righteous persons-little ones: The movement is from high to low:

* Prophets were revered as spokespersons for God. Apostles would be of similar status, and this missionary discourse is addressed to apostles (10:1-5. See also Acts 11:27; 13:1-3; 1 Corinthians 12:28). Who is a prophet today? The term would apply to anyone called by God to speak God's message. The promise is that the person who welcomes a prophet receives a prophet's reward.

* Righteous persons are those who obey God. Perhaps the term in this context means Jesus' disciples-much as we use the phrase "good Christians" today. The person who welcomes a righteous person receives a righteous person's reward-presumably less than the prophet's reward-there may be a downward movement here too-but a significant reward.

* Little ones can have various meanings-children (see 18:5)-the poor-those who are vulnerable. However, "in the name of a disciple," equates "little ones" with ordinary disciples. This premise is strengthened when we look at Jesus' discourse on the judgment of the nations (25:31-46). There Jesus gives blessings to those who provided assistance to those who were hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and in prison. Then he explained, "Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me" (25:40). "My brothers" in that context clearly means Jesus' spiritual brothers and sisters-his disciples. Also, in 18:6, Jesus speaks of "these little ones who believe in me," further strengthening the equation of "little ones" and Jesus' disciples.

A cup of cold water is the smallest of gifts-a gift that almost anyone can give. "Jesus does not want our lack of affluence to be an excuse for thinking we cannot do much to help the Christian enterprise" (Bruner, 402). But a cup of cold water is precious to a person who is really thirsty-in some instances, the gift of life itself. While we would prefer, in the game of life, to be the quarterback-the hero-Jesus' heart leans toward the water-boy or water-girl. Providing a cup of water is a valid vocation. God rewards even the smallest contribution. Jesus does not specify the nature of the reward for those who help little ones, but only assures us of its certainty.

In Luke 10:16 Jesus says, "Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me"-suggesting that what we have here is more than an issue of hospitality.

"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet" (v. 41). What does it mean to welcome (receive) a prophet?

* It can mean providing necessary support, such as food, clothing and shelter-or money to allow the prophet to purchase those things. This would be especially significant in a situation where Christians are being persecuted.

* It can also mean accepting the truth of the prophetic message (Holwerda, 61).

Two Old Testament stories are instructive. In both, the host provided for the basic needs of a prophet. Each received a gift of life:

* In the first story, the widow of Zarephath, who expected to die of hunger, honored Elijah's request for a morsel of bread after Elijah invoked God's promise that her food supply would not fail. As a consequence, her "jar of meal shall not empty, neither shall the jar of oil fail". Later, when her son died, Elijah restored him to life (1 Kings 17:8-24).

* In the second story, a Shunammite couple provided food and a comfortable room for Elisha because he was a holy man of God. As a reward, Elisha promised the childless couple a child. The child was born and grew up, but then died-and Elisha restored him to life (2 Kings 4:8-37).

"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward" (v. 41). Jesus uses "in the name of" to make the application specific. "'In the name of' is a Semitic expression meaning 'because one is'" (Boring, 263). The welcome is extended because the welcomed person is a prophet-or a righteous person-or a disciple. Jesus is not commending general hospitality here, but hospitality to disciples. He uses a similar phrase in 25:40 when rewarding the righteous for feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, etc. "Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." Note the phrase, "my brothers". No doubt Christ will reward us for kindness to any vulnerable person, but the emphasis in these passages is hospitality to disciples.

There are costs associated with receiving prophets, righteous persons, and little ones:

* One cost is financial. It is no small matter to attend to the needs of other people. It is expensive to feed them or to provide money for their living expenses.

* Another cost is personal. To invite someone to live in our home is stressful. Most of our homes have just enough room for our families. Fitting additional people may involve sleeper sofas, sleeping bags, and turning the living room into a bedroom. Guests invade our personal space and limit our privacy. For those of us who are set in our ways, such changes are difficult.

* Another cost may be danger to oneself and one's family. Jesus warned the disciples that they could expect opposition-persecution. Host families can find themselves caught in the crossfire.

We tend to imagine that great Christians will receive great mansions in the kingdom, while the rest of us will receive lesser mansions. The idea is questionable, because salvation is a gift rather than something earned. However, our Gospel lesson implies that there might be differing rewards for prophets, righteous persons, and little ones-and differing rewards for those who receive them.

There is good news for us in these words of Jesus:

* First, Jesus assures us that those of us who have not seen Jesus in his human Incarnation are at no disadvantage. Those who received him while he walked this earth's pathways will certainly be rewarded for their service to him, but we are eligible for the same rewards if we receive his prophets, righteous persons, and little ones today.

* Second, Jesus assures us that modest circumstances do not limit potential rewards. The person of ordinary means and the person of great means are both promised a prophet's reward for receiving a prophet. The person of ordinary means can receive the prophet only modestly, while the person of great means can receive the prophet in grand style-but both the ordinary and the wealthy person are promised the same reward for their hospitality.

* Third, we are not required to be a prophet to receive a prophet's reward, but have only to receive a prophet. We are not required to be a great saint to receive a great saint's reward, but have only to show hospitality to such a saint. The smallest gift to the littlest disciple brings its reward. Just as God knows and cares about every hair of our heads, so also God knows every generous act in behalf of the faithful. Such gifts are counted as gifts to Jesus-and gifts to Jesus are counted as gifts to the Father. Jesus therefore establishes a direct line of blessing from the littlest disciple to God.

* Fourth, those of us who are engaged in the Lord's work are assured that those who help us are promised a reward. That is true whether the Lord's servants receiving support are clergy or layperson-preacher or janitor. Both are providing essential ministry service. God has ordained that our receiving will become a blessing to the giver.

And so we come to the conclusion of the Sermon on Mission (9:35 - 10:42).

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. The ASV, which is also in the public domain due to expired copyrights, was a very good translation, but included many archaic words (hast, shineth, etc.), which the WEB has updated.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Barclay, William, Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1 (Edinburgh: The Saint Andrew Press, 1956)

Bergant, Dianne with Fragomeni, Richard, Preaching the New Lectionary, Year A (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 2001)

Blomberg , Craig L., New American Commentary: Matthew, Vol. 22 (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992)

Boring, M. Eugene, The New Interpreter's Bible, Vol. VIII (Nashville: Abingdon, 1995)

Brueggemann, Walter; Cousar, Charles B.; Gaventa, Beverly R.; and Newsome, James D., Texts for Preaching: A Lectionary Commentary Based on the NRSV-Year A (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995)

Bruner, Frederick Dale, Matthew: Volume 1, The Christbook, Matthew 1-12 (Dallas: Word, 1987)

Craddock, Fred B.; Hayes, John H.; Holladay, Carl R.; Tucker, Gene M., Preaching Through the Christian Year, A (Valley Forge: Trinity Press International, 1992)

Gardner, Richard B., Believers Church Bible Commentary: Matthew (Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 1990)

Hagner, Donald A., Word Biblical Commentary: Matthew 1-13, Vol. 33a (Dallas: Word, 1993)

Hanson, K. C., Proclamation 6: Pentecost 1, Series A (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1995)

Hare, Douglas R. A., Interpretation: Matthew (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1993)

Harrington, Daniel J., S.J., Sacra Pagina: The Gospel of Matthew (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1991)

Holwerda, David E. in Van Harn, Roger (ed.), The Lectionary Commentary: Theological Exegesis for Sunday's Text. The Third Readings: The Gospels (GrandRapids: Eerdmans, 2001)

Johnson, Sherman E. and Buttrick, George A., The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 7 (Nashville: Abingdon, 1951)

Keener, Craig S., The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Matthew, (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1997)

Long, Thomas G., Westminster Bible Companion: Matthew (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997)

Morris, Leon, The Gospel According to Matthew (Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 1992)

Niedenthal, Morris and Lacocque, Andre, Proclamation, Pentecost 1, Series A (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1975)

Pfatteicher, Philip H., Lectionary Bible Studies: The Year of Matthew, Pentecost 1, Study Book (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1978)

Senior, Donald, Abingdon New Testament Commentaries: Matthew (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998)

Soards, Marion; Dozeman, Thomas; McCabe, Kendall, Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary: Year A (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1993)

Tiede, David L. and Kavanagh, O.S.B., Proclamation 2: Pentecost 1, Series A (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1981)

Copyright 2009, Richard Niell Donovan

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Biblical Commentary (Bible study) Matthew 10:40-42 EXEGESIS: 40"He who receives (Greek: dechomenos-receives) you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 41He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. He who receives

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Praying Scripture—Lectio Divina. 2 page version copy.docx

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Good And Loved - Travis Greene & Steffany Gretzinger (Official Music Video)

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If you are intent upon serving Christ, you must follow Him. 

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If you are intent upon serving Christ, you must follow Him. 

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You must go where He goes, be where he is. do what you know he would do.
Then wherever you are, there He is also.
Inasmuch as you follow and  serve Him by being the loving servants of people around you, you are honouring and serving your father in heaven.
L Brandt

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Chris Tomlin - I Will Follow [With Lyrics]

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Dear God, open our eyes to those around us who need a cold cup of water and kindle our hearts to respond to them in love and action. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Dear God, open our eyes to those around us who need a cold cup of water and kindle our hearts to respond to them in love and action. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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What does welcome look like, sound like and feel like in your community for students, staff and families?

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From Matthew 10, "Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous;and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple - truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward." Music by Matt Hammon. www.matthammon.com

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From Matthew 10, "Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous;and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple - truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."