Jump Start # 637

Matthew 10:42 “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

It is interesting to trace the numerous times in the Bible that the word “water” is used. Water is an essential to life—not just ours, but all life. Without water, plants dry up and die. Without water animals die. Without water, we die

• In the creation account God separated the land from the water
• Elijah filled a trench with water and soaked his sacrifice before God sent fire from above demonstrating that He alone was God
• Nicodemus was told by Jesus that a person must be born of water and spirit or else he cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven
• Peter told the audience at Pentecost to be baptized for the remission of their sins
• The rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool off his tongue
• Jesus defined Himself as the living water

In our times, we don’t think much about water. We don’t have to gather at a well to draw the water we need to cook and clean. The ancient wells were not only the source of water, they were occasions to visit, catch up on news, discuss politics and share life. About the only times we really think about water is when there are floods or droughts. Hot weather, dry ground, and clear skies, remind us of how important water is.

Our passage has to do with the simple act of giving water to someone who has need. There are two emphasis within this verse—both looking at the insignificant things.

First, “even a cup of cold water.” The stress upon the word, “even,” implies that it is understood that a cup of cold water doesn’t seem like much. In the ancient world a person could draw water from a well for free. Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for water. She was amazed that He had nothing to draw with. A person wouldn’t normally come to a well without a bucket or a dipper of some sort. She thought it was odd that Jesus was at the well with noting. Water doesn’t cost much money or effort. The passage is showing that even the smallest of gifts or kindness makes a difference. We wouldn’t think much of giving someone a bottle of water who was working in the hot sun. A few months later, and especially ten years later, that act would be long forgotten. Had we given someone money to go to college—we’d remember that. Had we given someone a month’s rent, a car payment, a bag full of groceries—we’d not only remember that, but we’d tend to expect a thank you card in the mail. Cold water? Think nothing of it. But it makes a difference, especially to the one who is thirsty. One cup doesn’t solve all his problems. One cup isn’t a life time gift. It’s simple. It’s for now. It doesn’t even take care of later. Yet God noticed. It is an act of kindness. It shows thoughtfulness and compassion.

Second, “one of these little ones.” Jesus liked talking about the “little ones.” The “little ones” are often overlooked. Giving a cup of cold water to the star, the hero, the king makes us look good. They may honor us. They may have us sit with them at a banquet. Their people may contact our people. But a little one isn’t like that. They don’t have “their people.” They aren’t in the position of prominence. They are overlooked in a crowd. They are common. They are everywhere. Many will serve a king, but will anyone serve the servant? The little one is one of God’s children. The little one has a soul. The little one is as important as the “Big One.” Give cold water to the little one.

Do you know any little ones? This is not about size—a big guy compared to a short guy. This is not about age, little ones being children. This is about one’s lot in life. The CEO who runs the company is known. He’s rich and he lives in a big house. Yet it’s the little ones in the factory that keep the company going. They often work long hard hours and do not receive near the pay that the CEO does. Little ones—it could be the widow in the church, or the single person who just never married, or the person that scrapes by. The cold water is not given to a person who has water, but to the one who needs water.

I expect if we thought about it, we all have “little ones” in our lives. Good people who just don’t have much. Folks who are trying. Disciples who love the Lord. They fill our Bible classes. They may never teach, but without them, there would be no class. The teacher gets praise and compliments, but it’s the little ones who learn, grow and get stronger. The little ones may never contribute much money, but they, like the poor widow Jesus saw, do what they can. They may never preach a sermon, but they show up and often bring a friend. I think sometimes we make too much of the “big ones,” and not enough of the “little ones.”

Can you do something for a little one? Even a cup of cold water helps. Don’t ignore them because they are little. Society has always had different classes of people. First class on ships had nice comfort. Third class was in the bottom of the boat. The “Upstairs” people were served by the “downstairs” people. Some would want to end all class systems and have a form of communism or socialism. That has proven not to work. Those that have need to look after those that do not have. The little ones are important to God. They are not more important than the big ones, yet they are not less important. God loves all His children.

When Harry Truman became President of the Untied States, someone said to his mother, “You must be proud to have a son in the White House.” She said she was and she was just as proud of her other son who lived down the street from her. Big ones and little ones. Love them all and serve them when and where you can.

Roger