2nd July 2023 Fifth Sunday after pentecost

Matthew 10:40–42

‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.  Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous;  and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.’

Reflection:

Today’s gospel is brief and yet rich in teaching. I found one line in particular jumped out at me: “and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple -- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

Unlike Abraham who is asked to give his only son, Jesus says what a small thing, to give a cup of cold water? Jesus emphasises this by his use of the word “even.” ‘whoever gives even a cup of cold water’…

We often imagine discipleship as requiring huge sacrifice or involving great deeds, and certainly sometimes that is exactly what discipleship comes to. Like the story of Abraham and Isaac where Abraham is asked to sacrifice his only son. Or like the witness of the many martyrs who have given their life rather than give up their faith.

Yet, Jesus seems to say, it can be as simple as giving a cup of cold water to one in need. Or perhaps, offering a hug to someone who’s sad. Or a listening ear to someone whose lonely. Or holding the door open for someone. Simple acts of courtesy. Or it could be making a donation to a Mission agency like Anglicare. Or…the list can go on.

Discipleship can involve all the small acts of devotion, compassion, and forgiveness that go largely unnoticed but tend and nurture the relationships that are most important to us. So also the life of faith is composed of many small gestures. Except that, according to Jesus, there is no small gesture. Anything done in faith and love has great significance for the ones involved and, indeed, for the world God loves so much.

“Even.”

It’s such a small word. You mostly use it when you want to make a point. A point, and usually, it’s a point about something surprisingly small or extremely unlikely. It’s meaning is a lot like the word “just” – as in “it  just takes a little” – but amplified. Which is exactly how Jesus uses it here.

Chapter 10 in Matthew is all about discipleship. He commissions the twelve disciples, empowers them to cure those who are sick and drive out evil spirits, sends them out to proclaim and enact the coming Kingdom of God, receives them back again with warnings of coming persecutions and trials, tells them whom to fear and whom to ignore, reminds them that the Gospel sparks division, calls them to take up their cross, and then promises them to reward them for their faithfulness.

And now at this point comes the word even! So after all that’s been said so far, after all the encouragement and egging on to become these seriously amazing group of committed and powerful followers, it seems a bit of a disappointing end to an exciting powerful crusade. Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me…” And by welcoming all, even the least, the seemingly not so important people, not only will the faithful disciples be rewarded, but all those who welcome them will be included in God’s indulgence. “And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward”.

During the last month, we have been thinking about creation, the environment and our relationship and responsibility to care for it. We pondered how every small act of care could make a difference and how it is entwined in our relationship with God and our understanding of who God is and who we are as his followers. And now Jesus is turning it all around to make the disciples and us realise that there is more….

You see, perhaps this message isn’t finally about what it takes to be a disciple, but rather is simply describing what it actually means to be a disciple. There’s a difference! It to me I about what is at the very heart of our intentions.

Empowerment by the Holy Spirit is part of it, but remembering that there will be challenges along the way. Jesus doesn’t promise that we won’t have struggles, however, he promises us his Spirit to help us through the tough times. There will be welcome and also rejection. Division, persecution and the call to faithfulness. I often meet people who say straight up – “I’m not religious” and my response is “It’s not about that” We can get too tangled up in religion that we forget that discipleship is at the very essence of who we are as followers of Christ.

The struggles, the victories, the persecutions, the testimonies, all of these are elements of being a disciple of Jesus, not only back then but also in our present day. And maybe this talk of reward isn’t about how one earns rewards but rather is about recognising the rewards – the blessings – that God has already generously poured out.

Note that at this point Jesus isn’t actually talking about what the disciples are supposed to do. He’s talking about those who welcome them. The little ones are the very disciples he has commissioned and sent out. Those who welcome them – let alone even give them just a cup of cold water – would normally not be considered terribly important. They are servants to the apostles, helpers along the way. Yet even these, through as small a gesture as just giving a cup of water, are drawn into the mission of the disciples and, in turn, the mission of Jesus.

Discipleship, in other words, doesn’t have to be heroic. Too often we look out at others and think if only we could do all they do, speak like them, preach like them, pray like them, have faith like them.  We compare ourselves to others and think we do so little. We seem to forget that it’s not about us, we are just the conduit to allow God to work miracles through small acts of kindness. Even offering a cold cup of water can make a huge difference.

Once you realize this, we can quickly add to the list. Just smiling at the strangers, sitting with the sick, or supporting one who grieves. Just welcoming the new person to church and even better having a cuppa with someone to encourage them. Or even writing a letter to a politician about an important issue. Just offering to buy a burger for a homeless person. Even helping out at a food kitchen. Just being there when your kids/ grandkids need you. Just speaking up for someone being discriminated against. Even buying food that is sustainably grown or produced.  Just supporting one of the many social service agencies of our churches that regularly care “for the least of these.” Or dare I say putting a few extra dollars on the offering plate to help with the work of the church….

Seemingly small gestures, except that, in the kingdom of God, there is no small gesture when done in faith. Each and every act of kindness and generosity has an impact well beyond what you’d imagined. Indeed, Jesus’ words seem to imply that no act of generosity or kindness will be forgotten.

That’s an amazing thought, that even our smallest acts of kindness and generosity reverberate with valuable significance. You never know the difference your faithful actions may have. And it’s a thought – really, a promise – worth remembering: that we each have the opportunity to be Jesus’ disciples and make a difference in the world each and every day and wherever we may be.

This then may be the opportunity in front of us this week: to be mindful that we are called not to heroic discipleship but to genuine discipleship, the kind of discipleship characterised by what I’d call everyday faith. Everyday in both senses of the word: ordinary, even simple. But also, each and every day. It may be also an opportunity to put our own needs aside and consider the needs of others.

If we look back to the opening of chapter 10 and the commission and empowerment of the disciples and also us as today’s disciples, those equipped with the courage and compassion of Christ who go out believing that God is at work in and through all we do, even the smallest acts of kindness and generosity are effective in building the kingdom.

Will this change or save the world? Most likely not. But saving the world isn’t our responsibility, rather it’s God concern and promise. And as we trust God to care for the whole world we are empowered to participate in that work. So even the smallest acts of kindness and generosity done in faith can have amazing significance, and make a difference beyond what we see, as each act of kindness and generosity done in the name of Christ reverberates out and is gathered into God’s work to love, bless, and save this world. It’s like the ripples in a pond of water when a pebble is dropped in, it continues to have effect right to the very edges, to the banks around.

God’s promises to create a new reality of hope, generosity, and possibility. A new reality that Jesus calls the kingdom of heaven. And amazingly, wonderfully and generously we are invited to be part of it.              

The Lord be with you.