For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink on the ground that you belong to Christ, I truly tell you, he will by no means lose his reward.’”

8. On the basis of what principle would this “certain man” not go unrewarded?

⁸ The unnamed man would not lose his reward for what he was doing. Evidently he was in line for discipleship of Jesus Christ. He was doing something that compared favorably with what Jesus said was deserving of a reward, namely, the giving of a cup of water to a thirsty person on the ground that this one was a disciple belonging to Christ. Such an act might seem to be the least thing that one could do for the relief of another, but it was indicative of something that meant a lot to Jesus Christ. It meant that the giver of the cup of water was in favor of Jesus as the Messiah and gave to the extent of his ability to support the cause of Christ. The rule later laid down by Jesus applies here: “To the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:40) Jesus Christ as King would not let this go unrewarded.