"For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward."
Mark 9:41
As Jesus is answering John’s question about those who serve in Jesus’ name (Mark 9:38-41), He makes this encouraging statement.
“For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink.”
In Jesus’ day giving someone “a cup of water to drink” was traditional hospitality in the arid lands of the Middle East. As Jesus often did in His teaching, He made the ordinary, extraordinary. Something as small and simple as sharing a cup of water can potentially have an eternal reward.
“In my name,”
Here’s the key, the service, giving a cup of water or so on, is done in Jesus’ name. We do not do these services for our own benefit. All believers are ambassadors for Jesus Christ. We are representing the King of kings.
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God,” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Everywhere we go we are a representative for Jesus Christ. What we say and do, we do in Jesus’ name. The message we give is His, the acts of kindness we do are His. We are standing in His place before others. When done in Jesus’ name, no service to another is too small to be rewarded.
“Because ye belong to Christ,”
Now, this is important! Our reason for doing what we do is because we “belong to Christ!” He is our motivation. What an encouraging phrase, “ye belong to Christ.” He is the One that has made all the difference in our lives. He died that we might have life. He has forgiven our sin and set us free! We are “from the same womb” as every other believer, our brothers, and sisters in Christ. We strive to do loving deeds to others because we “belong to Christ.” We serve “the Lord Christ.”
“Verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.”
When our hearts and motives are right for serving God, rewards are waiting. Always remember that He is the reason for doing good to others.
“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ,” (Colossians 3:22-24).