The Prophet’s Reward

In Matthew 12, Jesus commissioned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and gave them power to heal diseases and sicknesses. He gave them instructions about the areas to go to preach and warned them that they would be persecuted. “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). He told them that they would be flogged, thrown out of synagogues and brought before rulers to be judged. His admonition was to fear God and not men because men may destroy the body, but God can destroy both the body and soul in hell. Jesus said that anyone who is willing to acknowledge him before others, he will acknowledge in heaven. He also said that anyone who welcomed the disciples, were welcoming him as they were sent by him.

Jesus then said that anyone who received a preacher or a prophet, would receive the prophet’s reward. The prophet’s reward is salvation, as receiving the minister of God is to receive his message and the grace which follows him. Jesus also said that peace would enter with the disciples into any house that received them. The opposite would be that their peace would leave with them, from the houses where they were turned away. We saw other people in the Old Testament being rewarded for receiving prophets. There was a rich woman who lived in Shunem, who showed hospitality to Elisha whenever he visited. At first she would invite him to have a meal with her and her husband and eventually, she told her husband that she wanted to build a room for Elisha. “Then she said to her husband, “I know that the one who often passes by here is a holy man of God” (2 Kings 4:9).

Her husband agreed and she built the room so that Elisha had somewhere to stay, when he was in Shunem. One day when he visited, Elisha told his servant to ask the lady what he could do for her. This was in return for all the good that she had done for him. He thought that perhaps he could speak to the king or the army commander to put in a good word for her. The lady declined as she felt that she had all that she needed. Elisha did not relent and asked his servant to consider what he could do for her lady. His servant mentioned that she did not have a son and her husband was old. “Elisha said, “At this time next year you will have a son in your arms.” Then she said, “No, my Lord. Man of God, do not lie to your servant”” (2 Kings 4:16). The woman conceived and gave birth to a son the next year.

Elisha maintained a relationship with the woman, that a few years later when her son collapsed and died, she summoned the prophet. He prayed and the boy was restored to life. In this story, this woman who was wealthy, was able to discern the anointing that rested on Elisha. Her discernment led her to bless the prophet and to build a relationship with him. The prophet was moved by her giving and despite her reluctance, prophesied that God would bless her with a child. The child was born just like Elisha said and when death tried to take him, the woman went back to Elisha for help. He prayed to God who restored her son, so that she lived a life of miraculous encounters. Doing good for the people of God has a reward. This is not reserved for prophets or apostles, but for anyone who is doing the will of God.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith”(Galatians 6:10).

A.P.-Y.