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“Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water . . . , he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matt. 10:42, KJV throughout). We are amazed. We reply: “But it’s such a little thing, Lord, a cup of cold water. Why do You recognize it and reward it when You Yourself did such a big thing? You went to the cross and gave Your all. You paid for our sins by dying and taking the punishment that we deserve.”
What is behind Jesus’ rewarding us for such a small deed? The cup of cold water is only the tip of the iceberg. Under the surface lies our former life—a self-chosen path of destruction. We used to love self and sin more than anyone or anything else. But God chose us while we were enemies and sinners. He planted His Spirit in our hearts. He saved us, and now we overflow with gratitude and love to Him and to our neighbor.
Jesus described a scene on the day of judgment. He called home His sheep, the righteous, to be with Him. They were recognized by their deeds. They had fed the hungry, given a drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, taken in strangers, and visited the sick and imprisoned. Jesus said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:40). But they didn’t recognize the value of these little deeds done to these little ones, because that is just what Christians do in the course of fulfilling their duties; thus, they don’t tend to think of them in terms of rewards. Jesus loved their compassion because it reflects His. His heart is with the least of these. He is one with His people.
Ministering to the little ones is not optional. Jesus cast the goats, the unrighteous, into everlasting fire. They were recognized by the absence of merciful deeds to the hungry, thirsty, sick, naked, homeless, and imprisoned. Jesus also warns against offending the little ones, that it would be better for them if a millstone be tied around their neck and they be cast into the sea (Mark 9:42). These are serious warnings.
Who are the little ones among us today? And what little things must we be doing? The littlest little ones are the unborn. They have no voice yet, so we must speak for them, to defend their very existence. There are other little ones in our churches. They are baby believers who are just beginning their walk of sanctification and need encouragement. They are the lonely and alone ones who need to be invited into our homes. They are the awkward children who tend to be marginalized. We need to train our children to reach out with kindness and include them in their circle of friends. There are little ones we meet every day on our pathway through life. Let’s be ready to give them an answer for the reason of the hope that is in us—the hope of Jesus Christ.
Endless joy and blessing await us when we do little things for the little ones. Don’t miss out on it.