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A Cup of Cold Water

It was hot this past week – at least for the Netherlands. 

On Tuesday it reached 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit for our American readers). And living in a small apartment on the third floor with big windows and no air conditioning did not help the issue. We had some warm nights to be sure.

But luckily, such warm days come with the chance to be a blessing and to gain reward in heaven. As Jesus said:

And never is a cup of cold water better than when it is 37 degrees outside. 

But this verse got me thinking.

Why does Jesus say a cup of cold water?

Getting cold water in Jesus’ day

Exactly how hard was it to get cold water in Jesus’ time?

Nowadays, we can open our fridge or turn on our tap and immediately get cold water. But in first century Israel, I am betting it was not that easy.

From my understanding, getting ice was near impossible. Ice was something reserved for royalty, if there was ice at all. And for water to be cold?

Well, it would have had to be drawn fresh from the well.

That means offering a cup of cold water would have meant leaving your home, walking however far it might have been to the nearest well, possibly in the heat of the day, drawing water and carrying the heavy water back to your home and then immediately offering it to the guest before the water warms up. 

True Hospitality

This entailed real hospitality.

Sacrificing time of your day, physical effort, and precious desirable cold water (which was probably not too common) for the sake of the “little one.”  This verse is often interpreted as those who do “even the smallest of acts” for my disciples will be rewarded. And to some extent I feel that is a fair interpretation. But Jesus here clearly shows that even the “smallest” acts should be ones where we go above and beyond to serve our neighbor.

Do not carry the armour 1 mile for the soldier, but 2 miles. When slapped on one cheek, offer the other also. Do not merely give a glass of water, but a glass of cold water. 

Jesus asks his followers to serve others as if we were serving God himself. Because when we serve his people we honor Him.

So my encouragement for you this week is to think how you can go that extra step to serve those around you, to offer not just the cup of water, but the cup of cold water. 

To the benefit of the receiver and the glory of God.

Until next week,

Be Blessed,

Aaron

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