Matthew 10:40-42

The Result, Matthew 10:40-42.

All that receive the apostles, and God and Christ, in them, shall share with the apostles in their reward.

40. He that receiveth you The phrase that receiveth you, imports undoubtedly receiving in faith their mission. It implies the heartfelt acceptance of Christianity, and the reception of the saving grace of the Gospel. Receiveth me As his accepted and sufficient Saviour.

41. He that receiveth a prophet That is, with a faithful acceptance of his message. In the name of a prophet With a full recognition of his character and mission, and in spite of the persecutions of a faithless world. Shall receive a prophet’s reward Sharing both the prophet’s faith and the prophet’s danger, he shall share the prophet’s reward.

42. One of these little ones A tender appellation for his apostles. They were sheep in the midst of wolves, they were harmless like doves, they were tender like little ones. A cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple In the glowing climate of Palestine, the pursued and persecuted apostle might find a cup of cold water the preservation of his life. And whosoever, in recognition of his discipleship, that is, because he was a disciple of Jesus, and from love to his Master, shall furnish him this precious boon, shall in no wise lose his reward. His faith has worked by love, and has been justified by works.

Here, therefore, is no shadow of a denial of the doctrine of justification by faith; but an assertion that works in faith are graciously rewarded of God. And in such faith the slightest work, the simplest cup of cold water, is a noble investment for a great reward.

It is said that in India the Hindoos go often a great distance for water, boil it to render it healthful, and then, in honour of some idol, stand by the roadside until night offering drink to travellers. Such an act of faith in Christ performed for his apostles cannot fail of its reward.

This commissioning of the apostles opens the SIXTH PERIOD of our Lord’s history upon earth. It is the period of his expanding ministry. See Historical Synopsis. His apostles go forth; the Baptist retreats from the world; the fame of Jesus fills the palace of Herod; and the faith of his disciples is so established that at the next period he commits to them the keys of his kingdom and prepares for his departure. Matthew 16:13-21.

Neither Matthew nor either of the other evangelists gives a detailed account of the mission of the apostles. While our Saviour was upon earth, and preaching, it seems as if the evangelist held all other ministries of little account. Mark tells us (Mark 6:12-13) that “they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” And in Mark 6:30: “The apostles gathered themselves unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.” And this was followed by their crossing over Lake Gennesaret, and the feeding of the five thousand. We are informed in the first verse of the next chapter, that when Jesus had finished this discourse, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.