Friday, 12 May 2023

The Upper Room Discourse 4

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John 13:20 Amen, amen I tell you, he who receives the one I send, receives Me; and he who receives Me, receives the One who sent Me.

There are four important persons mentioned in this verse. Let's work backward (in order of mention). "The One" Who sent Yeshua, is the Father, Lord God Almighty. He is the One Who sent Yeshua (Who is speaking). Yeshua sent the Apostles.

Notice, these are "capital A" Apostles. The word "apostle" means "sent one." The "capital A" Apostles were only the twelve. Others, besides the twelve, have been sent in the years since. We sometimes call them "little A" apostles.

Lastly, there is the "receiver," or the one who receives the one who is sent. The important distinction Yeshua is making is expressed in this verse. Matthew 25:40 And answering, the King will say to them, 'Amen, I tell you, whatever you did to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

Read the context of Matthew 25 beginning in verse 31. Matthew 25:31 Now when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. A great separation is described, an eternal blessing for the righteous, who receive, and an eternal curse for the wicked, who reject those sent.

Matthew 25:41 Then He will also say to those on the left, 'Go away from Me, you cursed ones, into the everlasting fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.'

This is all part of Matthew's gospel account of the same time period as the Upper Room Discourse, just before Passover. Yeshua is telling us these things so that we will have every opportunity to be on His right side (and not on His wrong side) on the day of judgment. Hear His warning, receive Him and those He sends. And, "Don't get left out."