John 13:19 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.”
After telling them things to strengthen their belief in Him (John 13:18), our Lord points them to their duties and the duty of His ministers after His Ascension (Acts 1:9) and empowerment by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:2-4). The Lord had previously told them the same thing, “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” (Matthew 10:40). We learn several things from this passage. First, it is exclusively the Lord who sends both his Apostles and preachers to the people to whom He would have His Gospel preached. Second, there is always perfect union of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Third, it is not the Apostle or the preacher that is to be revered, it is God alone that is to be worshiped. Forth, when the true Gospel is preached, it always points to the Glory of God and not man. Fifth, as the Lord told Samuel, when the people reject the preacher’s Gospel Message, “they have not rejected thee [Apostle or preacher], but they have rejected me [God]” (I Samuel 8:7)! The Lord had also previously told them, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16). There is no higher calling among men than that of a Gospel Minister, yet these God-called men are compelled by the Holy Spirit to go forth with utmost humility and gentleness and kindness, never complaining, always being satisfied with such as they have, facing austerity with joy, always getting back up after being knocked down, never taking any glory for themselves, and always in their message and actions declaring only the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some will receive their message, and some will not. Those who reject it, as the Lord explained, are essentially rejecting God! Let us take heed!