“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.”” Matthew 10:41-42
This section in my Bible has the heading of ‘rewards’.
I sit here this morning and these words of Jesus catch my eye. I ask Jesus why has He stopped me at these words?
“Welcome a prophet…receive a prophet’s reward”, “welcome a righteous man…receive the reward of the righteous”
What are you saying, Lord?
Jesus answers, “one who receives a sinner will receive a sinner’s reward.”
What?
“receive a sinner and receive a sinner’s reward.”
What is the sinner’s reward? Divine Mercy.
“And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples.” Matthew 9:10
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14
We are all sinners, but how many today see themselves as righteous? Self-righteous is more likely what they are. So many look down at others as if they are better. They can be identified as the Pharisee in the parable documented in Luke 18:9-14. When the soul see himself as the publican in this parable, then goes out to meet with other sinners, the soul receives the sinner’s reward.
We are all sinners, who need Jesus. Need is such a small word for how much we require Jesus. But, as much as we need Jesus and mercy, before we can really approach Him, we have to reconcile ourselves.
We must welcome sinners, not their sin but the sinner must be invited to our table, and then, we will receive that sinner’s reward. By giving mercy, we will receive Divine Mercy.
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24