He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Matthew 10:40-42

Jesus closes His charge to the twelve disciples in a very interesting way. He has been open and frank with these men that they are about to take on a dangerous job. He has given them specific instructions of where to go and what to say. He has even reminded them that they will be rejected by many and possibly in grave danger. 

Now, Jesus gives them words of compassion and encouragement.

The key to understanding these concluding remarks is in the first statement Jesus makes. If the men preach to someone and they gladly receive the message, that is clear evidence that they truly do believe that Jesus is God’s Son and has been sent by the Father. Preachers do not have to wonder whether or not they did a good enough job to “save” them. The receiving of the message is evidence of eternal life already abiding in the hearer.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:24

The following scenarios in the closing show various ways in which the gospel is spoken or lived. These are all positive statements of who a disciple of Christ can share with others from someone as notable as a prophet down to a person giving a thirsty person a drink of water.

Basically, Jesus is saying that if someone does an act in His name and the act is received as an act in His name, then the love of God is perfected in the exchange. The gospel of love and compassion that Jesus has for His lost sheep is being shared.

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1st John 4:12