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e) The Sublime Aim of Preaching (Matthew 10:40 - 11:1)
MATTHEW 10:41-42
41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward.” (1 Kings 5:17; 8:24; Matthew 25:40; Mark 9:41)
The wages of a prophet is the fulfillment of his prophecy. His hope is not to appear a liar in his speech, but a caller in the name of God. Isaiah proclaimed the coming of Christ as a baby (Isaiah 9:5); Jeremiah manifested the dwelling of the law into the hearts of the believers; Ezekiel prophesied that the new heart is a gift of God, whereas Daniel saw Christ’s triumph over the earthly kingdoms and progression towards the final judgment. These prophets urgently wished that their prophecies would be quickly fulfilled. Their wages are Christ’s coming again to perfect God’s plan of salvation and kingdom on earth.
We thank God the Father that Christ really came. His spiritual kingdom rests in His disciples, who are often considered little ones in the world. Without earthly weapons, they proceeded into the cities and towns to win many to the divine kingdom of love. How astonishing that to many of those who despised them, persecuted them, scourged them and killed them, they appeared little ones and weak before God! But he, who receives them, receives God in person, and he whoever gives them a cup of cold water, shall receive a great reward.
Their promised bread of life is Christ Himself, if they believe in Him. The accompanying blessing of Jesus’ children is not an imaginary hope. It is the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s dwelling in the hearts of the repentant, the world’s hope from everlasting.
Kindness to Christ’s disciples, which He will accept, can be done with an eye to Christ and for His sake. A prophet should be received in the name of his Lord and a righteous man in the name of the One whom justified him. Little ones should be blessed “in the name of a disciple”; not because the disciples are learned or witty or because they are our neighbors, but because they bear Christ’s image. They are at the same time prophets and disciples and so are sent on Christ’s errand. It is a believing regard to Christ that puts an acceptable value upon the kindness done to His ministers.
PRAYER: We glorify You, our Father, for sending Christ to our world, bread to the world and light to the nations. He is our wages. If we accept Him by faith and confess His holiness to others, He will quench the thirsty and satisfy the hungry. We thank You because You will look after the persecuted for Your Name and give them refreshment amidst distresses.
QUESTION:
- What are the wages of the prophets, the righteous and the followers of Christ?