The Reward for Giving Out Cups of Water

The gospel lesson for this week in the Revised Common Lectionary contains an interesting saying of Jesus: whoever gives a cup of cold water to one of these "little ones" in the name of a disciple will not lose their reward.

This text provides a good opportunity to speak about what are called "Works of Mercy" in the Wesleyan tradition. Engaging in good works for others, whether giving a cup of cold water to someone who is thirsty or providing someone who is cold with a blanket, is central to what it means to be a disciple of Christ. It is also, unfortunately, a part of discipleship that American Christians have been historically uncomfortable about. It is not that American Christians don't engage in acts of mercy. Despite this, engaging in acts of mercy is not perceived as being central to discipleship the way that prayer, bible study, and worship are central. Sometimes works of mercy are engaged in in a way that is grudging.

The problem, I believe, lies in the lack of a solid theological understanding of why we are called to engage in acts of mercy. This raises the more general question about the very nature of discipleship itself. For much of American Christianity, discipleship is virtually equated with what is called in Wesleyan terms the moment of justification; the act of accepting the salvation that is offered to us in Christ and making the decision to profess our faith in Christ, and with a system of reward and punishment (i.e. the reason to accept Christ is the reward in the hereafter, and to avoid punishment in the hereafter). For Methodists, the moment of justification is the most important act in the life of the disciple. However, it is also the first--in educational terms, it is admission to Kindergarten. For many American Christians, it is perceived as our graduation from college and the end of the process.

Justification is the initiation into the Body of Christ, the Church. The life of the disciple and the context of discipleship is lived out in the next phase, which is referred to as sanctification--the process of growing into the example and likeness of Christ. We grow into the likeness of Christ through living according to the example of Christ. Wesley referred to the acts of the disciple in imitating Christ as works of mercy and works of piety. We engage in works of mercy because by doing so, we grow into the likeness and example of Christ. It is, literally, the life that we are called to live.

The reward of giving a cup of water is the act of giving a cup of water. The reward of living according to the example of Christ is fact that we live according to the example of Christ. The reward of a life of holiness is a life of holiness. Once we have accepted the salvation that is offered to us in Christ, we see ourselves as God's children, both now, and in the life that lies waiting for us beyond this one. In this life, and beyond, holiness is its own reward. And similarly, to paraphrase Augustine, not giving out cups of water is the punishment for not giving out cups of water. Not living a life of holiness is the punishment for not living a life of holiness.

What the Resurrection Demonstrates

Every disciple has doubts sometimes. Maybe not necessarily about God's existence, but about why God acts in the ways that God does. Paul Tillich opined that doubt was actually intrinsic to a healthy faith, rather than antithetical to it, because it showed that we were searching out our salvation with fear and trembling.

Many believers are envious when they read a text like Matthew's account of the ascension of Christ, found at Matthew 28.16-20. On the surface, having an experience of the risen Christ would seem to obviate any doubts or uncertainties about the existence of God and the divinity of Christ.

This is actually not the case. In fact, if we read Matthew's account carefully, we see a significant phrase: some of those who were presented doubted.

The reason why there would be doubt necessitates a look at the difference between the world view of the ancient Near East and our own worldview. Perspectives in ancient Israel differed, but there were many who believed in the possibility of resurrection. That is to say, for many in ancient Israel, it was possible for people to rise from the dead. Consequently, the fact that someone rose from the dead would not be perceived in the same way that we perceive it today. We live in a scientific age where it is generally accepted that people do not rise from the dead.

For the original disciples and the Christians in the first century, what would have been most remarkable about the resurrection is not that someone rose from the dead, but the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. And more importantly--what the early evangelists argued that the resurrection meant. That in the life and crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, God revealed God's power and glory. What would have been unbelievable to an ancient audience was not that someone was resurrected, but what the resurrection meant--that in Jesus, God had demonstrated God's power over sin and death, and had ushered in a new age.

The resurrection itself, standing alone, is not the good news that we proclaim. The good news that we proclaim is that in Christ, a new age has begun where God reigns. Where peace prevails over violence, love over hate, reconciliation over conflict, and mercy over retribution.

The Paradox of God's Nature

Everything changes all the time. We grow older, the nature of our communities changes. Our culture is changing so fast and in so many ways we can hardly keep up with it. The world that we live in, by its very nature, changes incessantly.

We don't like change very much. Sometimes we hate it. We like things to stay the same. This is particularly true of our religion. When it comes to Sunday morning, for example, we like things to stay exactly the same. There is a saying in the United Methodist Church that we are ready for the year 1950, and when 1950 rolls around, we will be primed for revitalization.

I am sure the disciples felt the same way that we did. And look at the incessant change that discipleship required for them. First, they had to abandon their livelihoods to follow Jesus. Then, they had to change the way that they thought. Jesus challenged conventional Jewish ways of thinking and forced them to accept new understandings about God, and about how they were to live in the world. Then, they were confronted by the crucifixion. Then, the resurrection. And just as they were starting to wrap their heads around the resurrection and what it meant, we arrive at the Day of Pentecost. In the story from Acts, we are told that it is about 9:00 in the morning. The disciples are sitting at home, they hear the sound of a mighty rushing wind, and suddenly, they are filled with the Holy Spirit. They look outside, and the crowd, composed of persons from many nations, can understand each other despite the fact that they are speaking different languages.

There is a paradox to God's nature. God is eternal, immutable, and unchangeable. And yet the universe that God created undergoes incessant and perpetual change. Planets are born and die. People grow up. Seasons change. Constant change is built into the nature of the world. And the way that God's Spirit relates to us mirrors the nature of God's created order. God does not want us to stay the same. The opposite is true. Through God's Spirit, God wants us to grow, to develop, and to mature in our discipleship. God wants to continually bring us new understandings, new visions, new journeys, and as the Church, God wants us to continually seek new ways of responding to God's call.

Discipleship is not about staying the same. Its about responding to the promptings of God's Spirit. If we are faithful, our lives will be as dynamic as the disciples. And if we are a faithful Church, we will not be consistent in our practice. In fact, the problem we will have is not trying to always do things the same, but trying not to be too experimental and dynamic.

The God of eternity who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, has a unique journey that He wants us to take with him. It will not be like the journey of the person sitting next to you in the pew. And it will not be like the journey of the disciples. It will be a new journey, unique to you. If we are faithful to God's Spirit and follow, there is no limit to the amount of good that we can do in this world.

Discipleship As a "Fiery Ordeal"

The Epistle Lesson for this Sunday is 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11. In this text, the author tells his listeners that they should not be surprised by the "fiery ordeal" that they are facing as disciples. The author does not define the nature of the fiery ordeal

Christians have all heard stories about the persecution of the early Church in the Roman world. It is normally assumed that the Roman Empire routinely and systemically tried to eliminate Christians, and that executions were commonplace. This is actually not true. There were several occasions in the Roman Empire where the Emperor ordered the execution of Christians. The first of these was under Nero in 64-68. However, persecution that resulted in the outright execution of Christians typically arose out of the general population and was localized and sporadic. Most commonly, a village facing a catastrophe or famine would look for a scapegoat, and Christians, being a powerless minority, were always an easy target.

The "fiery ordeal" that the author of 1 Peter spoke of was not persecution in the sense of being thrown to the lions. Instead, the "fiery ordeal" was the task that early disciples faced about how to live in the Roman world while also living out their discipleship with authenticity. The Roman Empire was a confusing place to be a disciple. For example, the early Christians were forced to bow down before an altar to Roma, which symbolized the Roman state. Early Christians who did so were accused by some communities of idolatry. Despite this, bowing down before Roma was required to do business in the Roman world. Some Christians argued that such an act simply represented persons loyalty to the Roman state and a promise to abide by its laws.

We face the same "fiery ordeal" today. It is a confusing time to be a disciple today. We face all sorts of complicated questions and issues. Being a disciple today requires diligence, courage, and commitment.

The relevance of the text from 1 Peter for us today, I think, lies in the first verse. The author says that we should not be "surprised" by the fiery ordeal that faces us. Instead, we need to accept the fact that discipleship, if practiced correctly, will require real concerted effort. If our discipleship is easy, this should be a sign that we are not engaged in the process.

As a disciple, accept the fact that our discipleship will be a "fiery ordeal." But it is a fiery ordeal that is life's most exciting journey. So settle in for the life long ride. We are God's children. We were made to face this "fiery ordeal." It is how we were meant to live our lives. And if we face the "fiery ordeal" with faithfulness, we will live in God's presence, forever.