10.01.08 Mt. 10:40-42 (See also Mk. 9:41)
RECEIVING DISCIPLES
40 “The one who welcomes you
welcomes Me,
And the one who welcomes Me
welcomes Him who sent Me.
41 Anyone who welcomes a prophet
because he is a prophet
will receive a prophet’s reward.
And anyone who welcomes a righteous person
because he’s righteous
will receive a righteous person’s reward.
42 And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones
because he is a disciple
I assure you: He will never lose his reward!”
“And whoever gives just a cup of cold water.” The giving of a cold cup (poterion 4221) [1] of water was a sign of hospitality – an incredible important virtue in biblical times. Many of the sayings of Jesus were known by the Jewish people for two reasons.
- His sayings were reflective of the Old Testament and cultural idioms, therefore,
- They had been taught previously by many rabbis.
Jesus, the Master Teacher, used ideas found in stories, sayings, parables, daily events of life, [2] and used them to teach His message of the Kingdom of God.[3] Walking righteously, which is the same as living a life according to the directives of God, is the principal idea behind giving a cup of water, which is identical to clothing a naked person, as shown in the Babylonian Talmud:
Is it possible for a human being to walk after the Shekinah;[4] has it not been said: For the Lord thy God is a devouring fire? But the meaning is to walk in the ways of the Lord. As he clothes the naked so do you also clothe the naked; as he visited the sick, so do you also visit the sick; as he comforted the mourners; so do you also comfort the mourners.”
Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 14a
Jesus taught that every act done in His name is important, and that every moment has an extraordinary occasion that will have guaranteed blessings in the world to come.
“I assure you.” This phrase is a pledge that is almost as strong as an oath, although some have suggested that it is as strong as an oath.[5] It was said to affirm to His audience the sincerity of His teaching. Yet the disciples at this point still did not realize His divine nature, perfect humanity, or His mission to save man from his sins.
[1]. Vine, “Cup” Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary. 2:141.
[2]. See Mt. 5:14-16; 6:26-30; 7:6; 9:16-17; 10:24-25; 12:25; 13:31-33; 24:43-51; et.al.
[3]. The concept that intellectual teaching is based upon what is previously known to the person taught has generally been credited to Aristotle, in Posteriora Analytica 1.1. However, the concept, although not described in this manner, is elementary and was practiced by the Jewish rabbis and prophets for centuries.
[4]. The word Shekinah refers to the presence of God and means that which dwells. See Appendix 26.
[5]. Bookman, When God Wore Sandals. CD Trac 5.