Showing and Telling

Matthew 10:40-42

Tomorrow I'll be teaching my students the difference between telling and showing. Telling is abstract; showing is concrete. It's the difference between saying, "He is angry" and "He knocked over his desk and spit at the secretary". Both are needed in writing. Jesus does some telling and showing in Matthew 10:40-42.

First he told his disciples, "He who welcomes you welcomes me, and he who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Anyone who welcomes a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who welcomes a righteous man because he is righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward" (Matthew 10:40&41).

So if this is what Christ is telling us. What does it look like? How does he show what it means to "welcome" a prophet or a righteous man?

It looks like this: "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward" (Matthew 10:42).

How can we welcome Christ's followers? We can give them a cup of cold water. Actually it says "even a cup", so I'm guessing a cup of water is the minimum. How about spaghetti? Or stroganoff? Or pumpkin pie? Or a place to sit in our house? Or an hour of our time? Or a ride to the airport?

"Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" (Hebrews 13:2).