Jeremiah 28:5-9 Psalm 89:1-4,15-18 Romans 6:12-23 Matthew 10:40-42

Jesus said, “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.”

Thus, Jesus ends his lengthy missionary discourse.  Step by step, with brutal honesty, throughout the discourse, Jesus has warned of a journey of trials and adversities that will come to those who are sent out as missionaries of the Good News – sheep in the midst of wolves, flogged in the synagogues and dragged before governors and kings.  Jesus assures that the mission will not be a mission of peace, but of the sword – man against father, daughter against mother, households divided by the choice of each member to take up or not to take up the cross of Jesus Christ.  Last week’s Gospel lesson concluded with the familiar words of Jesus’ admonition, “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”  [Mt.10:39]

So then, if we choose to follow; if we take up the cross of Jesus Christ, we lose our life as we know it; we walk knowingly and bravely into the midst of wolves – obedient slaves.  Why?  The phrase “fools for Christ” comes to mind.  Are we fools to believe and to answer the call to be sent out on this missionary journey – to lose our life in order to find it.

The Apostle Paul writes to the Romans, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Romans 6:23] Having been set free from sin, we have become slaves of righteousness.

And, so, we follow; we become disciples of Jesus Christ.

There are trials and adversities; we know those as “life.”

Jesus ends this portion of Matthew’s Gospel that is subtitled The Missionary Discourse; his words have been difficult for us to absorb.  Yet, Jesus ends this honest and forthright lesson on the dire cost of discipleship with words of endearment and gracious hospitality.  As Jesus’ disciples, we will be welcomed as Jesus was welcomed and as God the Father is welcomed.  As slaves of righteousness, we will receive the reward of righteousness.  Endeared to Jesus our Lord, we are the little ones.  Whether flogged or pierced by the sword, we will never be separated from God.  We will never lose our reward.

Extra-biblical history and legend provides insight and speculation into the cost of discipleship paid by the original disciples of Jesus Christ.  They were known to have been stabbed to death, crucified, beheaded, stoned or bludgeoned, or exiled into hard labor.

The Apostle Peter was crucified upside down by order of Nero in Rome.

Andrew was whipped severely and crucified on an X-shaped cross that has become his symbol.

James the Son of Zebedee was the first of the disciples to be martyred as recorded in the Book of Acts; James died by the sword per the orders of King Herod; it is said that the Roman officer who guarded him was so overcome by James’ defense of his faith that he presented himself to be executed beside James.

Matthew, too, is believed to have died by the sword as he spread the message of Christ is Ethiopia.

Bartholomew was flayed to death by a whip.

Thomas was stabbed to death with a spear in India where his teaching of the faith had made great missionary impact.

Jude was shot through with arrows as, again and again, he refused to deny his faith.

Philip was likely stoned and crucified on a long cross.

James, the Minor, is recorded to have been beaten to death by a fuller’s club; and Simon, the Zealot, sawn in two with a long saw.

Matthias, the disciple chosen to replace Judas Iscariot was stoned and beheaded.

John, Son of Zebedee, the only disciple believed to have died a peaceful natural death, had survived attempts on his life – being boiled in a cauldron and forced to drink a cup of poison.  John was eventually exiled to the Island of Patmos, and many years later freed to return to modern-day Turkey.  Even so, we credit John with the care of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his prophetic writings including the Book of Revelation.

Deadly relentless efforts were made and continue to be made to snuff out the message of Jesus Christ.  But, that message continues.  These martyred disciples are the “little ones” of which Jesus is speaking with such endearment – martyrs, but never separated from the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Endeared to Jesus our Lord, we are his disciples, we are the little ones.  Whether flogged or dragged before unjust accusers or pierced by the sword, we will never be separated from God.  In spite of our trials and adversities, through faith in Jesus Christ, we will never lose our reward.

What an honor to be welcomed in the name of Christ, to be welcomed as Christ is welcomed, to give our life to Christ.  Think of the tiniest dewdrop on a blade of grass; in it we find reflected the sunshine and the blue of the sky – in the tiniest dewdrop.  Pray, Little One, that in you, others will find reflected the love of Christ.