Those who receive Christ’s messengers receive not people, but Christ himself. Imagine Christ standing on your doorstep, wanting to enter into your home—your life! That is what happens to you when you receive his apostles. Christ has sent them out and is still sending them out. Through them, Christ visits you, and even the One who sent Christ into the world—God the Father himself. The Triune God seeks to dwell in your home, in your life. What a promise! With this promise Christ exceeds all ordinary rewards. He indicates here that, when you receive a prophet (i.e., his message of truth), you will receive the reward that goes with it. The same is true of welcoming a righteous brother or sister. When you receive Christ’s apostles and messengers, you receive infinitely more from God. Then Christ himself enters your home, your life. Yes, God the Father himself lives with you and in you. That is how wonderful it is when you welcome Christ’s true (!) messengers.