Matthew 10:40-42 - July 2, 2023

So, what do you get out of today’s Gospel lesson? 

It’s rather short, so there isn’t a lot to go off of. And despite being such a brief passage, it is rather repetitive - there is a cyclical repetition; the words “welcome” and “reward” come up several times each. 

With the way Jesus’ speeches have leaned the past couple of weeks, maybe it is time to hear the positive counter-point to the difficulties of discipleship - that there is goodness awaiting in the midst of the labor and struggles of being a disciple. But it is more than the “reward” Jesus talks about. 

He isn’t just talking about future things that could happen one day. Instead, Jesus talks a lot about how our relationships with each other now and the ways we welcome others now leads to relationship and welcome of God now. When we welcome and are welcomed in the name of Christ, that really means we are welcoming God. 

But here, this type of welcome of us and of others… well, it’s still a little vague. What exactly do you mean, Jesus? Say, “hi” to people? Give a gift? I suppose we think first about how we welcome at church, but even here, it still seems a little fuzzy on what we’re supposed to do, and really, most of our welcome can be pretty shallow and superficial. 

On top of that, while we do welcome, inevitably, some people fall through the cracks of that welcome. Sometimes, we have an off day. Occasionally, we are a bit grumpy or distracted or self-conscious and don’t welcome a stranger, a visitor, or one another, even in the least of ways. Some of us are even introverts! 

But there is one specific thing that Jesus mentions to pull us out of the unfocused, generic “welcome.” And that is a cup of cold water. “And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

It’s such a little thing, isn’t it? A cup of cold water? And, maybe there’s even more (or less) to it: Jesus seems to emphasize the simplicity of it: EVEN a cup of cold water. Just a cup. Only a bit of water. 

Discipleship doesn’t have to be heroic. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, very few of us have legendary lives of faith that will be written down for generations to admire. And sure, we need those examples, but often, discipleship is nothing more than giving a cup of cold water to someone who needs it. Or offering a hug to someone who is grieving. Or listening to someone who is in need of a friend. Or saying “hello” to someone you haven’t met yet. Or giving a little bit of our time. Or… so many other things. You get the idea. 

Discipleship doesn’t have to be heroic. One doesn’t need to be heroic to serve God, to welcome God. Like all the small things we do in the most important relationships in our lives - devotion, tenderness, respect, forgiveness, paying attention - a life of faith is made up of a thousand small gestures. Except, according to Jesus, there is no small gesture. Any and everything done in faith and love has an immense impact, not only on the recipient but on the world God so deeply loves. 

You have probably heard - and know pretty well - the story from Loren Eiseley about the starfish. Eiseley was walking along the beach when he noticed a man picking up starfish from the shore, one by one, and throwing them back into the ocean. Curious about the man's actions, Eiseley asked him what he was doing. The man replied, "I'm throwing these stranded starfish back into the sea. If I don't, they will die." Eiseley looked around and saw that the beach stretched for miles, with countless starfish stranded on the sand. He pointed this out to the man, saying, "But there are so many starfish on this beach. You can't possibly make a difference." The man picked up another starfish, threw it into the ocean, and said, "It made a difference for that one."

And that’s Jesus’ point, I think. Because Jesus has promised to come in time to redeem everything in love, to fix all the brokenness, to heal all our hurts, to wipe the tears from every eye, we can in the meantime do our very best to live lives of mercy, doing deeds of compassion - not trying to save the world, since Jesus has already promised to do that - but simply to care for our little corner of it. Even a cup of cold water can make a huge difference to those who receive it, and according to Jesus, those types of things have tremendous, gracious, even eternal consequences. 

This is a love that we can share anytime and anywhere, in gestures that may seem insignificant, but are huge for those who are on the receiving end. 

And here’s the thing: you’re already doing it. In countless ways, you are making this world - in Myrtle Beach and beyond - a place more in line with God’s kingdom. There is more joy, love, mercy, welcome, and compassion because of you. There is no small gesture and through your cups of cold water, hugs, help, and giving, you are caring for the world God loves so very much.

Through St. Philip’s meals for the homeless, small acts of giving mean people are fed til they’re full - with bags to go. A little bit of time, a little bit of shopping, a little bit of giving. It makes a difference to the hungry. 

Through the collection for the Boys and Girls Club, a small gift of canvases and markers, books and paper, jump ropes and kickballs… It’s just a small toy, a small gift, but it makes a difference to those kids. And the same thing applies to the other benevolences - Help4Kids and Helping Hand, it makes a difference to that one. 

Our Blessing Box gets used way more often than we anticipated. It’s just a can of soup, it’s just some crackers, but it makes a difference. Vacation Bible School - it was just a bit of time, it was just a small thing, it was fun for me, too; it makes a difference. Christmas in July is coming up at the end of the month. Those donations will go to help real kids, real families. It makes a difference.

Our Forward Together Capital Campaign… I won’t say that was little, but 112 cards being turned in, each of us doing our part, giving to help make this place better for all of us who come here and those who aren’t here yet… it’s an example of little things leading to big things, things that inspire hope and love and grace, things that matter and make a difference. Your gift, your support, your dreams, it makes a difference.

So, thank you for giving your cups of cold water. Thank you for the ways you support mission and ministry. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of those who need it. Thank you for the welcome you show to people who come here - for worship, for preschool, for NA meetings, for it all. Thank you for spreading love, mercy, and welcome here in Myrtle Beach and around the world. 

I give thanks to God for the generosity of the people here at St. Philip. And even the smallest acts of compassion and giving make this place and the world better. And more than that, those cups of cold water make God’s heart happy. Thank you for all the big and little ways you give cups of cold water. Thank you for the ways you welcome God through acts of service. Thank you for making a difference. In Jesus’ name.