Just a Cup of Cold Water
The ninth chapter of The Gospel according to Mark records Jesus’ transfiguration—His clothes becoming dazzlingly white, He speaks with Elijah and Moses, the experience conjuring great fear in the disciples who were present with Him (Peter, James, and John). They hear God speaking: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Power. Glory.
Then, Mark records Jesus driving out an “impure spirit” from a boy—in spite of Jesus’ disciples’ inability to cast that same spirit out themselves. Powerful.
Jesus then needs to correct his disciples about greatness. Despite the fact that they had been powerless in the boy’s healing, they were spending their time arguing over their own importance—and who was deserving of higher position or status. Jesus replies: “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” To illustrate the lesson, He embraces a small child and says: “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Humility. Service.
When the disciples still miss the point, Jesus says: “Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.”
A cup of water.
Later, in Matthew 25, Jesus tells the story of the sheep and the goats. He says, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Perhaps you are unclear on your life purpose? What if it is simply, in each moment, to seek to offer a “cup of water” to someone who is “thirsty”—needy--in some way?
What if, instead of buying into the world’s pressures and pursuing “greatness” (whatever THAT is) or position or power, you sought every day to offer a “cup of cold water” to someone—at work, in your family/community/neighborhood, on social media—as your service to Jesus?
Many in our midst are hurting—suffering, mourning, searching, anxious—all a form of soul-thirst. What if you were the one to be intentional about paying attention, sitting with them, listening/hearing them, and offering a “cup of water”?
For more on this, explore GodGiftsYou.com.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You.: Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with a diversity of leaders, teams, and individuals for over 30 years. She has been EquipConnectServe Ministry Director at a 1,200 member church since 1999. Contact Shirley.
Photo © Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.