Matthew 10:40-42
"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." The Lord said, "He who receives you receives me". This verse shows how close our relationship with the Lord is. We are one with the Lord. Paul said clearly, "And he is the head of the body, the church". That's why the Lord says that whoever receives a believer also receives Him.
On the flip side, when one persecutes believers, one persecutes Jesus. Paul was on the road to Damascus. He was on his way to persecute Christians. When on the road, he was flashed by a great light. A voice said to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Paul was bewildered, and asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." From this we should know the close relationship we have with the Lord. That's why it is said that we are the pupil of God's eye. How would you react if someone touch your pupil? Painful. Similarly, if anyone touches believers, it is as if he touches the Lord, because we are one with the Lord. If you understand this truth, you will understand how precious we are to the Lord. On the other hand, our responsibilities are great as well. If someone receives us, they receives the Lord. By the same token, if they see us, don't they see the Lord?
Is there image of the Lord on us that can be shown to others? Will others see the love, forgiveness, and joy of Jesus Christ through our lives? When one receives us, it is as if they receive Jesus Christ. They should also see the image of Jesus on us.
On the other hand, the Lord mentioned reward of receiving. When we receive a prophet,we will receive the prophet's reward. When we receive a righteous man, we will receive the righteous man's reward. May the Lord help us to see the importance of receiving others. When we receive brothers and sisters, it is as if we receive Jesus Christ. Of course, we are not running forward just because of rewards. May God let us have merciful hearts to see who are in need and to service them willingly, because we understand that to serve them is to serve the Lord. This is the lesson that the Lord gave us in order to help us live by the Lord's mercy and love every day. 
Lord, we thank you. We love, because you loved us first. We serve, because you served us first. We welcome, because you welcomed us first. May you put mercy and love in us so that we see the needs of people around us, and are glad to receive them. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! |
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