Oh, wait, before you go, …. Matthew 10:40-42

I have a friend who used to call me on the phone when he wanted to borrow a tool or use my workshop for a project. When he called, we would talk about life and the world situation and catch up on the news from each other’s family. As the conversation started to wind down, he would say, “Before I hang up, could I borrow …?” or “Do you have time to help me with a project?”

Similarly, when we had been down to visit my mom in Kenosha, after the car was packed, and we were saying good bye, Mom would say, “Hey, before you go, could you change a lightbulb? Could you hook up the hose? Could you take off or put up a storm window? Or could you carry something
up into the attic or down to the basement?”

Today’s text is the last words of instruction from Jesus to his disciples. It is like Jesus knows that they are ready to go, but he wants to keep them with him for just a few moments more. I can almost hear him say it this way, “I think I have told you everything you need to know, but, before you go, remember this. I am sending you out to be guests of the world so let the people welcome you. Be gracious when receiving their gift of welcome. Don’t think that you are the householder offering hospitality. Bring the good news as a gift, like a good bottle of wine or a hearty loaf of bread.

“If you get all John the Baptist on these people, you will be received like John the Baptist. If you get all righteous about who you are, you will be welcomed like the righteous. The reward of the prophet and the righteous person (beyond knowing that you are right) is death, so, don’t get ahead of yourselves.

“Look for the little signs of hospitality—a cup of cold water, a place to wash your feet, a place to relax.

“Before you go, remember: the message you bring is not about you but about you and me and the one who sent me. Life is short enough as it is. Make friends not enemies.

“That’s enough now. I know that you are ready to go. Get out of here. I’ve got to get back to work.

“Bye, I love you.”

These last three verses of Matthew, although formal, even conflicted or mysterious, demonstrate the depth of caring Jesus has for his disciples. On the one hand, he has taught them everything they need, but, on the other, he wants to protect them or, at the very least, warn them about the reception they might receive. They are words of caring and love, words belying a longing to linger, to prolong their leave taking.

Today, we too are preparing to go out, hearing God’s words of appreciation and hope for the world, being taught how to be guests, receiving with joy and thanksgiving the bread of life and the cup of salvation. God knows and we know that our work is out there in our daily lives, among the people of the world that God sends us. But before we go, let us tarry for a moment, to share the good news with one another.

Let us go out to the world as guests with good news, guests ready to receive the welcome we are given and extending an invitation to be the hosts at another time. Remember, “None will lose their reward.” Our relationships with Christ and those we meet sustain us.