Jesus' Mission Team is Bigger Than You Think | Matthew 10:34-42

Matthew 10:40-42 Summary
There is a pathway to everyone being engaged in Jesus’ mission. Jesus' conclusion to his ‘Sermon on Mission’ encourages those tempted to believe their contribution is too small to matter. Jesus tears down any inclination to value more highly those who actively ‘work the mission’ with those who serve, support and associate with them.

Agency
Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.
Matthew 10:40

As he (Paul) neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
Acts 9:3-4

Intentionality
The 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. And 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.
Matthew 10:41-42

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:37-40

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,…
2 Timothy 1:8

You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
2 Timothy 1:15

May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.
2 Timothy 1:16-18

Shared Reward
The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward.
Matthew 10:41

Action Points:

1. Support those actively working in mission, particularly those who have left a secular vocation.
2. To not be afraid to associate with those who are experiencing persecution because of their very public and out-front faith.

A conscious hospitality that is as specific as financial support, physical support or even emotional encouragement is the meaning of Jesus’ “welcoming.”
Dale Bruner

Nothing human is more beautiful than a close family. It is not sub-Christian to love the family. But “Jesus shines brighter, purer, than all …” Jesus puts himself in competition with even the best on earth.
Dale Bruner