Matthew 10:40-42 Jesus’ Disciples Job Description: Compensation
Today is the last day we spend on Jesus instructions and job description for His disciples. The last section focuses on the reward or compensation they can expect for their service. This section actually deals with the compensation those who help the disciples would receive. We are, however, told that there is a reward for being a prophet or a righteous man or a disciple.
Jesus starts out by telling His disciples that anyone who receives and welcomes them is actually welcoming Jesus and God Himself. The disciples are going out in Jesus name. Jesus came in His Father’s name. Therefore, whoever welcomes a disciple is welcoming God. This follows the chain of command principal. What the lowest employee does is supposed to reflect and represent the ideals created by the highest level of management.
Jesus told His disciples that those who welcome a prophet will receive the same reward as a prophet. He said anyone who welcomes a righteous man will also receive the same reward as a righteous man. Jesus doesn’t give any detail as to what either reward is here. I was Googling this question and didn’t get very far. I did find a website, Bible Knowledge.com, that goes into some detail about the five different crowns and the rewards in Heaven. I really liked what the author had to say. I’m also going to go with what I believe is being referenced here.
Let’s start by looking at the prophets of the Old Testament. The first thing I notice is that God provided for their needs. God sent ravens to feed Elijah. Jonah was shaded by a gourd while he was sulking. God shut the mouths of the lions for Daniel. These are just a few examples. God’s prophets never got rich by being a prophet but God provided for their needs. Even when they were rebelling, God still looked after them. Jonah didn’t die in the belly of the big fish. Definitely a God thing there. Balaam was protected through a talking donkey. My favorite part of this story is that it doesn’t even shock Balaam into silence when his donkey starts talking. He just argues back with it!
Decidedly the most important “reward” that the prophet received is everlasting life with God. As God’s ambassador you KNOW they had to have a personal relationship with Him. Therefore, they are sure to be in Heaven with Him now. God will present them with a Heavenly reward, but the specifics of this reward are unknown to us. I’m certain they will have some form of crown and incorruptible reward.
The righteous man also receives the same reward of eternal life with Jesus. In 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Paul talks about a crown of righteousness that he is expecting to receive when he meets Jesus. I think we can all say that Paul, after he met Jesus on that Damascus road, lived the life of a righteous man. Again though, the greatest reward for such a life here on earth is eternal life with God in Heaven.
Jesus ends His topic of rewards by saying that, “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” (verse 42). Jesus is placing a very high value on service to His disciples. I think a key phrase in this passage is “because he is a disciple.” People ministering to those ministering for Him have a GREAT reward in Heaven. Matthew 25:31-46 makes it clear that service to another is service to Jesus, and because of this service, eternal life is the first reward. The simplest acts of kindness rendered to those in need, especially those serving God in some capacity, are recorded in Heaven. Thank you for Giving to the Lord.
Father God, I know the disciples didn’t enter into ministry with Jesus to become rich and famous, or at least most of them didn’t. They came to serve beside Jesus because they believed in Him and what He was doing. They freely gave up all they had on earth, simply for the promise of eternity with You. You promised them an eternal rewarded, but also promised them earthly trouble. They counted the service Jesus was asking of them worth the price. As Jesus closed His job description each one of them said YES to Him and His assignment for them.
I said YES too, many years ago. My answer hasn’t cost me nearly what theirs did. I haven’t lived up to that answer on many occasions too. You never fired me when I wasn’t pulling my weight, but You also didn’t let me get away with it. You constantly bring me back to where You want me to be. Your plans for me are not nearly so grand as those You had for Your disciples, but I want to be useful to You in whatever capacity You have already designed for me. Please prompt me to serve that glass of water or show me when to lend a hand. Those are the tasks that I am able to do. I pray that I am willing and listening each time You bring me such an opportunity. If You have another plan for me, show me clearly what it is and walk with me daily as I walk the road You laid out before me. Thank You for choosing me for Your work, no matter how big or small my part is.
April 12, 2016 @ 4:27 PM
Wow! I have loved this series on the Disciples Job Description. I am especially drawn to this episode (for lack of a better word…) because I have specifically heard from the Lord two things about the calling upon my own life.
1) That I am called to the Ministry of Helps. When I first recognized that call, my Senior Pastor made the comment, “We are ALL called to the Ministry of Helps…and most of us never leave it.”
2) I am called to “Minister to those who minister.” That is a little more specific to me, I think.
Whereas the Ministry of Helps is very general and wide reaching, ministering to those who minister places me in a supportive role rather than in the front lines of the battle. I’ve tried (and temporarily filled) leadership roles that are on the front lines, but that is not where I am gifted and called to be. My best role is behind the scenes facilitating the work of those called to be on the front lines.
I had never seen the depth of this passage before–in fact–hadn’t even considered it as being a job description. Thanks for Breaking Open the Word for me with this series.
🙂
April 12, 2016 @ 8:12 PM
You have no idea how much this comment means to me! While doing this “series” I have been afraid I would offend or was missing the mark. When I started it, it was so clear to me. But as I went through the days, especially the days that were overpacked with other obligations, I was afraid I wasn’t really sharing what God wanted to share. I pray that what was shared really DID convey His message.
I have always felt I was called to serve with children and in music. Mainly because that is where my heart lies. I started to say I didn’t have any opportunities in those areas any more but got a BIG “wait a minute” in my spirit. I serve a MUCH smaller group now than I did in the past. My group ranges from age 12 years to birth. It includes all my grandchildren. I get to sing to them, hold them when they cry, tell them about Jesus, and challenge their belief system on occasion. I also get to serve their parents by providing consistent loving care when they are unavailable, provide them with encouragement and praise, and occasionally challenge their belief systems too.
One especially special person I get to serve is my husband. I get to support him in his growth spiritually as well as physically meet his needs. One of the greatest supports I get to offer him is in song. When I sing to him, we both benefit. My attitude is much better when I am singing during my day and that makes both of us happier.
Thanks God for showing me that I am still employed by You in what You first called me to do. Thank You for the new job classification too. I pray I serve You well in it.