2026 Pentecost Devotions I
Saturday, June 27
Matthew 10:40-42
[Jesus said to the twelve:] 40 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 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, 42 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.”
“… 40 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. …”
When we dedicated St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Newtown, Liberia last year, I brought greetings from the people in the United States who had supported this project. I was warmly welcomed. But the greetings were not just for me personally, but for all those who had sent Pastor Sam and me to Liberia. When they welcomed Sam and me, they welcomed the ones back in the States who sent us.
So it is with Jesus. When he sends out the disciples, he is sending them out in his name. They are emissaries of Christ. Therefore, when the people receive and welcome the disciples, they are really receiving and welcoming Jesus. Even more, they are receiving and welcoming the Father who sent the Son into the world.
When we go forth to share our faith with others we don’t go alone. Instead, we are going in Jesus’ name. After all, he’s the one who has sent us. Not only that, we have the presence of the Father and Spirit with us as well. What we share, we do so in Jesus’ name, all under the umbrella of God’s presence. Perhaps that’s why Jesus tells us not to worry about what we are to say. Because we are going forth in the power and presence of God, we need be concerned. God is with us.
Prayer: Lord, make me an instrument of Your love and grace in the world. Amen.