JUST A CUP OF COLD WATER!

JUST A CUP OF COLD WATER!

Matt 10:40-42

40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

41 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.

42 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.

          Interestingly, the word “water” in the original does not appear! Literally it reads “a cup of cold.” The word for cold is psuchros and means “chilly.” We who can walk to our refrigerator and grab a handful of ice, and then go to the tap for water. think little of this verse. However, if you had no modern refrigeration a cup of cold might require a bit of planning and effort.

          One commentary has an interesting note regarding this cup of cold water. “But a cup of water in the eastern countries was not a matter of small worth. In India, the Hindus go sometimes a great way to fetch it, and then boil it that it may do the less hurt to travelers when they are hot; and, after that, they stand from morning to night in some great road, where there is neither pit nor rivulet, and offer it, in honour of their god, to be drunk by all passengers. This necessary work of charity, in these hot countries, seems to have been practiced by the more pious and humane Jews; and our Lord assures them that, if they do this in his name, they shall not lose their reward.” (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

          Never forget that you are the King’s ambassador. If, while you are serving, you should simply offer a cup of cold water, you need to know that action will be recorded for a reward at a later time. Every act of obedient service, whether large or small, will be remembered and rewarded.

          It is easy to think that you are not accomplishing very much in the service of the Lord. We are sometimes tempted to quit. Other times we feel that the needs of others have simply sucked us dry and we have no more to give. Remember that the Savior records our deeds for later recognition.

Dear Lord, make me your water boy today. AMEN