I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
There is a common saying among the Jews “that the messenger of a man is as himself”. (T Bab. Beracot, fol. 34. 2. Kiddushin, fol. 41. 9. & 42. 1. & 43. 1. Bava Metzia, fol. 96. 1.) The followers of Jesus are men and women with a mission. To serve Him, we must follow Him on the lowly paths He took, but it is a calling of God Himself, and comes with His complete authority.