Matthew 10:40-42 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 10:40-42 on biblegateway.com
Verse 40"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Verse 41Whoever 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; Verse 42and 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."
Devotion
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Hospitality and welcome are at the heart of this verse. When we welcome one another we welcome Christ; when we welcome Christ we welcome God.
All too often we allow differences to divide us from one another. Doesn't this also divide the body of Christ and separate us from God? How are we to deal faithfully with one another in the midst of difference?
Encountering one another with a sense of true welcome and hospitality does not require that we ignore or gloss over differences. Rather, true welcome and hospitality require an acknowledgment and valuing of differences. When differences are acknowledged and valued we open ourselves to the movement of God's Spirit.
Prayer
Welcoming God, you have brought us into the circle of your love. Teach us to welcome one another in your name so that your Spirit may move freely among us. Amen.