Our scripture this week is Matthew 10:40-42.
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
Jesus speaks of welcoming those who come in His name and the blessings for those who do. He tells us the concept of hospitality begins with acceptance, that we welcome others not because of what they can do for us, but simply for who they are. When we see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, we begin to see the kingdom of God.
In Genesis 18 we read of Abraham welcoming guests in the desert, unaware (at least initially) that it is in fact the Lord and two of His angels to whom he shows kindness. Abraham knew nothing about these people other than they were fellow creatures, made in God’s image, yet he brings them to his tent and treats them as company. Jesus tells us the same was expected in the time of the disciples, and is still our duty today.
Jesus asks us to be hospitable to each other for the sake of our common heritage as children of God. Sometimes we find it difficult to even speak kindly to each other, but Jesus says much more than common courtesy is expected of us. We are all part of the same family and we must learn to love each other if we are to reach our reward.
Heavenly Father, help us to be the loving beings You intend us to be. Help us to put away our fear and anger and see each other as You do, loving everyone for who they are. Amen.