A Prophet’s Welcome – Sermon on Matthew 10:40-42

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 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.” (Matthew 10:40-42)

In this passage, Jesus concludes His instructions to the disciples as He sends them out to proclaim the Gospel. He emphasizes that receiving His messengers is the same as receiving Him, and ultimately, receiving God the Father (Matthew 10:40)

This establishes a profound principle: our interactions with others, especially fellow believers and those serving God, are spiritually significant. Hospitality and support are not simply social niceties as they are in fact, acts of discipleship. Welcoming a prophet or a righteous person brings a corresponding reward, reinforcing that God notices and honours those who support His servants. Even small gestures, like offering encouragement or assistance, are meaningful in God’s eyes. A practical example is provided in the giving of a cup of water to “one of these little ones” who are disciple, this act will not go unrewarded.

But, what does it mean to welcome a prophet, and what is a prophet’s reward for such a welcome? To answer this question, we have to know what a prophet is and what a prophet does.

A prophet is not a fortune teller. A prophet is not someone who predicts what will happen in the future. Rather, a prophet is person who is a truth-teller, a person who brings and announces God’s Word.

Prophets were not and are not treated well.

In Matthew 13, we read about Jesus returning to his hometown, where his neighbours ridiculed Him and as such, he could not do many miracles “because of their lack of faith” (13:58). Jesus told them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own town and in his own home” (13:57). And in the familiar passage we know as the Beatitudes, Jesus told his listeners to rejoice when they were persecuted, “for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (5:12).

And when Jesus accused the Pharisees of hypocrisy, he pointed out that they were descendants of the very people who murdered the prophets of old (Matthew 23:29-39). Jesus lamented and said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing” (23:37).

A prophet’s reward might not be so wonderful, after all in this life.

Jesus also said, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” (10:40) In other words, the one who welcomes another in Christ’s name, actually welcomes Christ and they welcome God the Father.

When we welcome a prophet, Christ becomes our host, welcoming us into new life. Think back to the story about Easter evening. Two disciples were walking home to Emmaus from the city of Jerusalem; they were confused and disappointed in the way things had turned out. A stranger joins them, and this stranger a prophet, explains how the scriptures teach that the Messiah must suffer and die, and as he further opened the scriptures, we are told that their their hearts burnt in their chests when they heard this. They wanted to hear more, so when they reached their home in Emmaus, they invited the stranger/the prophet into their home. They welcomed him to a meal. And the most astounding thing happened. This guest, this stranger, this prophet took on the role of host and broke the bread for them. They suddenly recognized that this prophet was in fact Jesus, and he immediately vanished. (Luke 24:13-35)

I tell you this as your prophet. I am not here to predict your future. I am here to call you into it. My role as a prophet is to tell you the truth about yourselves, and about the truth of God. You may not always like what you hear. But it is my purpose to be a prophet to you and as such be truthful with you. Amen.

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