Sermon Index
July 2, 2023 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 8A
Matthew 10:34-42
Jesus sent out the Twelve Disciples to the towns and villages of Israel. He gave these instructions, Matthew 10:7-11. “As you go, preach this message: `The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.”
For this missionary adventure they had to trust God completely. They could take no money nor food nor even a warm coat. They had to rely completely on the hospitality of the people who would hear the Gospel and who would gladly supply what they needed. If the disciples did not find hospitable people in one town, Jesus told them to shake the dust off their feet and move on to the next town (10:14). It would not be complexly safe. There would be persecution. Then they should flee to the next town (10:23).
The message of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God would be divisive. Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.” (10:34-36).
Why does the Gospel divide families? We find it today in our own families, even in own churches. Jesus speaks of peace and unity in some places. At the Last Supper he prayed that his disciple would all be one (John 17:21). Jesus said he was the Shepherd and we are the flock (John 10:11). He is the Vine and we are the branches (John 15:5). But the Gospel also brought persecution, hatred, division, intolerance, self-righteousness, self-protection, and selfishness.
The only way to overcome all that is through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Only the forgiveness of sin can overcome the sin of the world. Perhaps forgiveness is the biggest scandal of all, because people do not want forgiveness, they want permission for persecution, hatred, division, and the rest. The Gospel of forgiveness, reconciliation and the Kingdom of God was the mission of the Twelve Disciples; and it is the mission of the Church today. The mission might face resistance, but Jesus tells us not to give up. Go to the next town, there someone will give you a cup of cold water.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus gave these words of encouragement. Matthew 10:40-42, “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
The big word here is “receive.” There are a number of meanings piled upon this word all at the same time in this passage. There is hospitality, as to “receive a guest.” There is reception as to “receive a gift.” There is belief as to “receive testimony” or to “receive a report” or even to “receive a revelation from God.”
When someone receives one of the Twelve Disciples, it is like receiving an ambassador, it is recognition that the Disciple is speaking the message of Jesus who speaks the message of God the Father who sent Jesus. The hospitality is a way to express faith in the message.
A prophet is an evangelist who proclaims the Gospel. What is the reward that the prophet gives? What else does a prophet have than the Word of God? The Word of God is a great treasure and gladdens the heart and life of the person who receives/ accepts/ believes that Word of God. It is the word of Forgiveness and Salvation.
The “righteous person” is that faithful Christian who practices and exemplifies righteousness in their life. What reward does that righteous person give? Perhaps the reward is a lesson in how to be a Christian in this sinful world, an example of how to live out the Word of God. The reward comes when we, too, live a god-pleasing-righteous life.
Who are “little ones” who receive a cup of cold water? They are ordinary disciples. They might not be powerful prophets or preachers, they might not be perfect, righteous saints, but they are faithful followers of Christ. Perhaps that cup of cold water is the encouragement and love given to them by other people. In that way they can keep on being faithful disciples. What reward can the “little one” give? Maybe nothing, but Jesus can give the reward of love and faith.
Living in Okinawa, we know the value of a cup of cold water on a hot summer day. We also know the value of giving words of love and helpfulness and encouragement to our fellow believers, our fellow “little ones.” We will not lose our reward. Jesus has given us the saving cup of cold water in Baptism.
Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church