Matthew 10:40-42 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 10:40-42 on biblegateway.com
Verse 40"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Verse 41Whoever 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; Verse 42and 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."
Devotion
I’ve heard some great stories over the years about life in church parsonages. In one town where the train passed through a few blocks away from the church, when things were tight, you’d often see persons hopping off the trains in search of something to eat. They’d heard that if you went to the back door of the parsonage next to the Lutheran church, you could get a hot meal.
I think of that story whenever I read Matthew 10 and Jesus’ reference to the “little ones” receiving a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple. Jesus speaks of giving “these little ones” just a cup of cold water. He is talking about the kind of down-home hospitality that invites everyone in and makes sure nobody goes hungry or thirsty.
Prayer
Holy God, we praise you for your gracious hospitality and love. You call us to lives of service to others, knowing and trusting you and your promises to sustain us and others with all that we need. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and guide us to lives where all people know they belong. Amen.
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