Even a Cup of Cold Water

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me… and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

Initially, these words were spoken by Jesus to the very first disciples (Matthew 10:40-42). He had sent them out to do what he did, to teach and preach and to care for others. Jesus was saying to them, as you go about your mission, your ministry, whoever welcomes you, welcomes me… and the One who sent me. I am in you in some mystical way. When people show hospitality to you, they are showing hospitality to me… And there is a blessing for them in that.

I imagine, for these first disciples, these words were comforting and reassuring. When Jesus said, whoever gives even a cup of water to one of these little ones… they knew that they were the “little ones.” The first Christians were small and insignificant in the eyes of the world. They had no power – no influence – not much in the way of resources.

Jesus was saying to them, even though you are insignificant and powerless, I’ve welcomed you. I loved you. And I’m with you in your ministry… Those who look out for you, those who care for you, they are caring for me. 

I imagine, those first disciples, feeling powerless, would feel a deep empathy for others who were powerless in the world. In fact, later in Matthew’s Gospel (25:31-46), Jesus makes it clear that those who welcome, who feed, who clothe, those who care for anyone in need – they have done it to him. He is present in the vulnerable, the hurting, the hungry, and the outsider.

“Whoever offers even a cup of cold water…” Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

What is the reward? We don’t know what Jesus was getting at there. But I do know there is a blessing in giving. And most of us have found that by extending hospitality to others, we experience new insights and we hear new stories. Our perspectives are widened, our hearts expand, and we create space for relationships to flourish.

May you come to see that when you open your heart, your eyes, your ears, and your hands to someone in need, you are indeed opening them to Christ. 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give us eyes to see you in the eyes of others. May we care for them as you care for us. Amen.