Matthew 10:42

And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

Jesus is sending out his disciples into the nation to preach the gospel, to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The disciples were given clear instructions, especially how to treat those who received them or rejected them

Matthew 10:13 -14 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.

In discussing those who would not receive the disciples, Jesus spoke of Sodom and Gomorrah as a preferred place to be.

Matthew 10:15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

Jesus continues the discourse, referring to the persecution of disciples that would occur, even within the household of their family.

Matthew 10:21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,

He encourages his men to reject fear, speaking of not only physical death, but spiritual death.

Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Just prior to our topic verse, Jesus speaks of bringing a sword of division, for households will be split apart due to the good news, and how people receive or reject the person of Christ.

Matthew 10:36-37 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

As we have ventured through the 10th chapter of Matthew, it seems the message was centered on the reception of the apostles, and the results of either receiving or rejecting them, of how households would respond to the message of Jesus being the Messiah.

If this is true, then for one in a household to provide cold water to a “little one”, that disciple will by no means loose his reward. 

But what may I ask is the reward?

This passage is often spoken in reference to assisting other brothers and sisters in ministry, or even of simple charitable acts given to others as having an some added benefit to the giver, when they enter heaven. This may be a great application, and may be supported by many other verses in the Word, but is not the context of the entire 10th chapter of Matthew that of life and death?

By giving cold water to a disciple, especially in the midst of a household that is split down the middle concerning who Jesus is, would mark that person out as a disciple. This act would identify the person as one who believes in Jesus.

By giving cold water to one of the apostles, (little ones, as in spiritual stature, humble men) they would be associating or joining with those entering into the kingdom that was at hand.

So i ask my reader – might the reward be spiritual life itself?

Another way of considering this passage is to ask – Is Jesus speaking of folks having an option to “loose a reward” and yet maintain spiritual life?

Or is He speaking of how the disciples would recognize those who are entering the kingdom of God?

I think there are two different ways to consider this passage.

First, life in the kingdom is proven by acts of service to others in the kingdom. The apostles would know when to “shake the dust off” or to let their peace remain.

The second was of considering this passage would be that acts of service to those in the kingdom are independent of the offeror being a kingdom citizen. In my feeble mind that equates to life decisions being independent of a salvation reality. If acts of service are independent of salvation, then we might identify these acts of service as rewards instead of proof of life. If this scenario is true, a possible outcome may be seen in the soul who “got saved” 40 years ago but has not followed/obeyed Christ.  He has been taught he is eternally secure, yet may have no proof of life.

Does that make sense?

My friend, I propose this passage in Matthew 10 speaks of the identification of a true believer, one who serves at the risk of being ostracized by his own household and family. At the time of giving cold water, the disciples could know they were in the midst of a fellow disciple.

No dust to be shook off, and peace to be shared with all.

It is good to be in the family of God.

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