The Life and Ministry of Jesus
“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” Matthew 10:40–42
In John 15 the Lord Jesus clarifies this section when He says that the world has hated Him and is going to hate His own. We ought not to be any more popular with the world than Jesus Christ is popular. The measure of our loyalty and faithfulness to Him is given in the prophet’s reward and the righteous man’s reward.
If you defend the Lord Jesus as a prophet, you will receive a prophet’s reward. If you receive Him as only a righteous man, you will receive a righteous man’s reward. But if you acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior, you will receive a full reward. Our Lord makes it very clear that rewards are given on the basis of faithfulness. 1
Personal Encouragement
If you follow social media, you can create your own identity and become a fake. If you follow Jesus, He will transform you into a vessel of honor for His glory. Are you willing to submit to His ways for a lifetime, or to the ways of the media for immediate gratification?
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:19
God assesses our spiritual life by faithfulness, not popularity.
A Prayer
Lord, thank You for teaching me to identify with You, and not the world.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (Matthew 1-13) (electronic ed., Vol. 34). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
