Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

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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.

Water is Life – Boamaeric1 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/

The power and grace of God has a track record of bubbling up wherever and whenever we least expect, and in the most unexpected and unorthodox apostles who nonetheless pronounce Jesus’ forgiveness to us and to others whether we ask for it or not. Jesus is persistent in his promise that we will not “lose our reward.”

Author’s Note: Verse 40 seems to establish the underlying principle of this lection, that the one who is sent represents the full presence (or power) of the sender. However, verse 41 doesn’t seem to have a Synoptic parallel and it is unclear as to exactly who such “prophets” and “righteous persons” are. So, I take a “prophet’s reward” or “reward of the righteous” to signify what one might receive from the sender’s own self. Therefore, Jesus would need to imbue the disciples with his same powers, for example to heal or to forgive sins, to then send them out in his own name. So then, who are the “little ones” in verse 42? If the verse is an adaptation of Mark 9:41, then we might consider “little one” to highlight the degree to which an emissary might even pale in comparison to their sender. Hence, I suggest that Jesus’ ending phrase “none of these will lose their reward” might be better translated as something more like, “fail to gain what they expect or anticipate” (as my lexicon suggests). In other words, we may not think someone could or should pronounce absolution in Jesus’ name (i.e., they don’t deserve to do so), yet it remains efficacious. As Jesus advises, “Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40).

DIAGNOSIS: Expecting the Worst

Step 1: Initial Diagnosis (External Problem): Unqualified Ministry

Grounding: The disciples will certainly encounter expectations from those whom they meet. Of course, the disciples are only human. They will face failure, like failing to cast the demon out of a boy (Matt. 17:14-20), whose father then reaches out to Jesus to fix what the disciples couldn’t. Though they have successfully cast out many other demons with Jesus’ authority (Mark 6:7-13), here they may be fully discredited and dismissed—perhaps because they have no second chance to make a first impression. Jesus himself knows how this feels by failing to live up to Messianic expectations, as when John’s disciples ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” (Luke 7:20). No wonder he asks his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” (Mark 8:27).

Tracking: We’re exacting. When our expectations aren’t met, we’re unwilling to extend grace or a second chance. Perhaps we’ve been disappointed and burned so much that we’re desperate to guard our hearts and not take risks; we convince ourselves that such action is wise or discerning. “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” If we judge the book by its cover that’s just proactive. Why even risk disappointment at all? Why not avoid change and stick with tradition as much as possible?

Step 3: Final Diagnosis (Eternal Problem): Lost Rewards

Grounding: In Mark’s synoptic account, long after the apostles “cast out many demons” with Jesus’ authority (Mark 6:7-13), they witness a stranger casting out demons in Jesus’ name, become alarmed, and try to stop it because the person was “not following us” (Mark 9:38). Surely, they know the overwhelming need they and Jesus face. Are they alarmed because they think the action is just theatrics unless it comes from a “real” disciple (i.e., Jesus’ name not being enough in itself)? Do they feel outshined by an “untrained” outsider, and so do whatever they can to shut it down?

Tracking: Ultimately, we don’t trust that Jesus’ name has power, because we don’t trust the absolution that lies behind it. It surely can’t be purely unconditional or freely given, either for us or for others. Certainly not for ourselves, hence all our hard-fought and determined efforts to atone or compensate. We set ourselves up as arbiters of God’s grace, restricting its means and channels in the name of “good order.” It’s irresponsible to give credence to unorthodox, good acts—as if anyone can pronounce healing or forgiveness (i.e., “mutual confession and consolation”), lest it become “cheap.” Instead, we judge these actions despite the risk we may just “lose our reward.”

From Canva

PROGNOSIS: Receiving the Harvest

Step 4: Initial Prognosis (Eternal Solution): Persistent Promises

Grounding: Jesus further testifies that God’s grace breaks forth in even the most seemingly trivial acts, even in giving “a cup of cold water to one of these little ones.”

Crossing: Jesus’ unrestrained grace and forgiveness purposely catches us in unguarded moments. In turn, we find ourselves transformed by a faith that is determined to give us a taste of the same grace by whatever means available. So, in hope, we give the benefit of the doubt and extend the same graciousness to others than Jesus shows to us. We’re no longer hounded by fear of mistakes, the burden of responsibility, or a nagging sense that we need to strive for extraordinary acts of holiness or devotion. We finally recognize a true gift for what it really is.

Step 6: Final Prognosis (External Solution): Unearthed Hospitality