This passage comes at the end of Jesus’ 2nd major teaching. This time, it’s to the disciples to prepare them for their mission to Israel (v1—15), to the Gentiles (v16—23), and then how to carry-out this mission (v2—42). Let’s look at what Jesus tells them and how it applies to today.
When a word is repeated in a passage it carries additional weight. The word “reward” is used 3 times. The NASB has reward in it’s heading. So, the passage is about rewards. However, the word “receive” is used 8 times in just 3 verses. This passage has a lot to say about receiving. First, Jesus points out that the disciples will be ambassadors—“He who receives you receives Me” (v40). Second, receiving Christ means receiving the Father as well (v40). Third, receiving a prophet (a spokesperson for God) and a righteous person (someone that obeys Jesus), both meaning the disciple who’s come to them proclaiming Christ, also receives a prophet’s and righteous man’s reward. What does that mean? Finally, one’s receptions can be verified and secured by simply giving a disciple (these little ones) a cup of water. After receiving a disciple’s message of Christ, one’s heart is moved to action.
This focus on receiving should not come as a surprise since we are saved by Grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Grace is a gift so it thus must be received.
Notice that reward is the last word of this chapter. Jesus doesn’t want the disciples to miss-out on the future reign because of a wrong attitude in the present. And, He wants them to know that nothing shall miss His attention at the bema—The Judgement Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). This is the judgement of all believers. Our present actions have eternal consequences for believers—in addition to salvation. In contrast, the “Great White Throne” judgement is for unbelievers (Rev 20:11—15).
Actually, there are 5 crowns that a believer can receive as rewards. They include the Crown of Righteousness for
those who anticipate and love the Lord's Second Coming (2 Tim 4:8), the Victor's Crown for self-discipline (1 Cor 9:25-27), the Crown of Rejoicing for evangelism—leading others to Christ (1 Thess 2:19), the Crown of Life for those that who persevere over trial and temptation and persecution, even to the point of death (James 1:12, Rev 2:10), and the Crown of Glory for leaders and shepherds of God's people (1 Peter 5:1-4).
Wow. So, what does this mean for today? First, in this passage, Christ focused the disciples on thinking about their eternal future while serving in the present. This is something easy for us to forget—always keep our minds on eternity. Christ can return anytime. Second, this focus is a step beyond, “am I saved or unsaved.” Having faith already, Christ had the disciples focus on their present actions. We are to do the same—take action for Christ by either leading others to Him or by loving them.
Matthew 10:40-42
40 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ What role does the disciple play in verse 40? [v40]
+ What word is used the most in verses 40—41? [v40—41]
+ What made the receiver secure? [v42]
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ What are areas of or roles in your life do you act as a true “Ambassador of Christ”? [v40]
+ How can you start behaving and thinking with an eternal mind-set? [v41]
+ How can you either start taking-action for Christ or start taking-more action for Christ? [v42]
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?
+ Who might you share the Gospel with later today, and how—being a Christian example, loving on them, sharing your testimony, praying for them, or straight-up sharing the word? [v40]
+ What fellow Christian can you share an eternal mind-set with? [v41]
+ Who in your life do you need to take-action with by loving them? [v42]
STUDY GUIDE [ WWW.ESV.ORG ]
+ Matt. 10:1–42 The Authoritative Mission of the Messiah’s Messengers. This is Jesus’ second major teaching (see Introduction: Key Themes). It focuses on the disciples’ mission to Israel (vv. 1–15), preparation for a worldwide mission among the Gentiles (vv. 16–23), and characteristics that Jesus’ disciples will need to have as they carry out that mission (vv. 24–42).
+ Matt. 10:41–42 prophet. One who speaks for God. righteous person. One who has the righteousness that comes from obeying Jesus. one of these little ones. That is, anyone in need, especially those who may be overlooked (compare James 2:1–7).
+ James 2:1–13 The Sin of Favoritism. The problem of the poor and the rich, already emphasized in 1:9–11, 27, now comes into focus. James warns about discriminating against the poor in favor of the wealthy in the church.
+ 2 Cor. 5:10 the judgment seat of Christ. The “judgment seat” in the Roman courtroom was where the governor sat while giving verdicts. In the coming age, Christ will judge as God the Father’s representative. He will rule the kingdom that the Father has given him (see Rom. 14:10–12). so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done . . . whether good or evil. Present-day actions have eternal consequences.
+ Theme Matthew tells the story of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-expected Messiah who brought the kingdom of God to earth.
+ Purpose Matthew writes his Gospel to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah, that he has the right to the throne of David as Israel’s true King, and that he is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would be a blessing to all the world (1:1; Gen. 12:1–3). Matthew seeks to encourage Jewish Christians (and all future disciples) to stand strong despite opposition. They should feel secure in the knowledge of their citizenship in God’s kingdom. Matthew shows that Gentiles also can find salvation through Jesus the Messiah.
+ The Setting of Matthew The events in the book of Matthew take place almost entirely within the vicinity of Palestine, an area extending roughly from Caesarea Philippi in the north to Beersheba in the south. During this time it was ruled by the Roman Empire. The opening chapters describe events surrounding Jesus’ birth in Judea, where Herod had been appointed king by the Romans. The closing chapters end with Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension during the rule of Pontius Pilate and the tetrarchs Antipas and Philip.