The Preacher's Lectionary Notebook - Honoring the Smallest Act of Love
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
Matthew 10:40-42 brings Jesus’ missionary discourse to a close by stressing hospitality, welcome, and participation in God’s work. Throughout the chapter, Jesus has counseled his disciples about the obstacles they will encounter as they declare the kingdom of heaven. He is warning them of opposition and persecution; yet he concludes on a positive and hopeful note. The disciples who receive them are, in fact, receiving Jesus himself and the Father who sent him.
“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” The disciples are not just acting on their own authority. They represent Christ. In the ancient world, a messenger had the authority of the one who sent him. To welcome the messenger was to welcome the sender. Jesus applies this principle to his followers too. People receive the disciples and their message; they receive Christ. They are more than that; they are receiving God the Father. That is a remarkable chain of authority from the Father to the Son to Christ’s followers.
Now come the rewards. Jesus says that whoever welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person because he is righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward. And we should not be so obsessed with the greatness of the host but on those who are working to serve God. We often think that only the most visible ministries matter, but Jesus expands the picture. There are those who preach, teach, and lead, and there are those who encourage, support, and provide for them. Both share in the blessings of God’s work.
We challenge this by our tendency to divide Christians into less important and more important roles. In the kingdom of God, participation is at many levels. Some are public, while others quietly make that proclamation possible. We are reminded that God sees both. The person who offers hospitality and support is not forgotten. In fact, Jesus says that such acts have everlasting significance.
Even giving a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because they are his disciples will not go unrewarded. A cup of cold water was a simple and inexpensive gift that anyone could give. It was also lifesaving. But Jesus elevates this little act of kindness and gives it deep meaning. What matters is not the size of the gift but the spirit in which it is offered.
Faithfulness is often expressed through ordinary acts of generosity. We may not all be prophets, teachers, or missionaries, but we all have a role in God’s mission through simple acts of welcome and care. No act of service done in Christ’s name is insignificant. When we offer others grace and support those who belong to Christ, we are partners in the work of the kingdom, and God sees and honors even the smallest act of love.
FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION
Why does Jesus connect receiving his disciples with receiving him and the One who sent him?
What does this passage teach us about the value of small acts of kindness done in Jesus’ name?
How might we welcome and support Christ’s followers in our own communities today?