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
If you’ve ever hung a “Welcome” sign on your front door, have you ever considered the real message you’re conveying to others? If you really think about the message you’re conveying, you might realize what a difference it can make for anyone who shows up on your front steps. This one simple word “welcome” has the power to completely change a person’s day. In this gospel text from Matthew 10, Jesus calls us to extend true hospitality when he says, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. In other words, extending a compassionate welcome to others is no different than extending a compassionate welcome to Jesus.
Prayer
Holy God, you call us to welcome others as though we were welcoming you. Remind us of how you first find us and you love us as your beloved people. Teach us, in turn, to extend radical hospitality to others so that others will see your face and experience your love through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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