Matthew 10:40-42 comes near the end of a long passage where Jesus has commissioned and then instructed his disciples. These disciples are the same ones who have been caught up in God’s mission of love and mercy and grace. Jesus sends these newly commissioned disciples to attend to the needs of the people around them; rely on God’s provision; and carry forth his work of healing and restoration. They are sent to be for others, as Jesus has been for them, a sign of God’s gracious presence. As he sends them, he knows that there is no guarantee of welcome.

He knows this because the stories of scripture, to say nothing of history, are filled with examples of God’s people preferring to hear pleasant lies to hard truths; tolerating injustice rather seeking righteousness; ignoring the needs of the most vulnerable among us.

It’s easy to hear Jesus words in the gospel: “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me,” as simple instructions to be welcoming. And yes, we want to extend hospitality! But Jesus is not giving a command when he speaks these words, he is teaching and preparing his followers. He’s reminding all who follow him that the life of discipleship – when it’s focused on bringing God’s grace, mercy, restoration and healing to God’s good creation – will not always be welcomed.

For those of us hearing Jesus’ words today, they remain a call to take our vocation as disciples seriously. To remember that following Jesus sometimes includes speaking hard truths, seeking the right path when the established one is easier, extending care to the most vulnerable ones, even when it brings us ridicule. The writer Debie Thomas reminds us that as messengers of the grace of God in this world, we must not soften the Gospel for the sake of likability.

However and wherever we bring the good news of Jesus, we know that Jesus goes before us and with us. We are never alone in this journey!