Water in the Name of Jesus

“I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.”

According to Matthew 25:35, that’s what Jesus will say to the righteous gathered before Him on the Last Day.

Well, if Jesus commends giving water to the thirsty, that’s good enough for me.

That’s why our congregation, Messiah Lutheran, Houston, TX, has cases of bottled water with our church’s name and website address on the label, to give out to folks who are thirsty.

Our Congregation President, John, and I did just that at the May 4th Golf Tournament hosted by my local Kiwanis Club.

He and I spent time with about 90 golfers from across the Houston area and gave out free water at the Messiah tent at the first hole.

After the event, John and I decided to give out the remaining water bottles the next day at Memorial Park.

We found ourselves a shady spot alongside the running path and in a matter of 45 minutes we gave out 80+ bottles of water.

One fellow that we met had finished his run and sat down to enjoy the water and the shade. He took note of the Messiah name on the label and asked us about our church and its location.

One woman, when offered a bottle, replied, “What’s the catch?” John assured her that, much to her surprise, there was no catch at all.

That simple gift of water put smiles on lots of faces on a warm Friday afternoon.

An Easy Thing to Do

Approaching a stranger with the words “Let me tell you about Jesus” is very intimidating, let me assure you. It’s so intimidating that I don’t do it. Ever.

But to ask a stranger who’s walking or running past you, “Would you like some water?” is an easy thing to do.

When Jesus commends the righteous in Matthew 25, He doesn’t say, “You preached the Gospel,” or, “You knocked on strangers' doors.”

He says, “You fed, you gave water, you clothed, you cared, you visited.”

Those are all easy things to do. Every one of us, no matter our age, is capable of offering such Christ-like care.

And when you offer the food, the water, the clothing, or the care, and are asked, “What’s the catch?” you can respond that there is no catch, that you are simply doing what Jesus taught you to do.

The Dreaded Four Horsemen

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These imposing and dreaded figures have been woven into the fabric of our popular culture.

Cover of Teen Titans #37

World Championship Wrestling had its Four Horsemen, including wrestlers Ric Flair and Arn Anderson. Marvel Comics has a character named Apocalypse who always has four proteges, his Four Horsemen.

I first encountered the Four Horsemen at the tender age of eight in Teen Titans #37 back in 1971. (You can find out about the story at this link.)

Regardless of their pop culture presence, the Four Horsemen of the Apocaplypse come to us courtesy of Revelation 6.

In this chapter, the Lamb Who Was Slain has been given the Scroll with Seven Seals. As he breaks each of the first four seals, a horseman comes forth. They can best be described as personifications of tyranny, bloodshed, famine, and death.

As they wreak their havoc on the earth they illustrate sinful mankind's desire to dominate the weak, shed the blood of the innocent, and exploit the poor, all of which lead to death and the grave.

The ravages of these Horsemen are all too familiar to us. All we need do is watch the evening news. Stories of oppression overseas, violence in our neighborhoods, and corruption in our cities weigh us down with despair. "Will it ever end?" we cry in desperation.

Even the saints in heaven express their impatience. As the fifth seal is broken, the souls of the martyrs ask, "How long until our blood is avenged?" How long, O Lord, will Your Church on earth suffer at the hands of its enemies? How many more must die for the faith?

And then comes the end. The sixth seal is broken and creation as we know it is torn to shreds.

Close the curtain. Dim the lights. The show is over.

Revelation 6 is a chapter that causes people to not want to read Revelation. It's bizarre in its imagery and frightening in its content.

But what appears on the surface to be a picture of hopelessness transforms into a picture of hope when we remember one important detail. Jesus, The Lamb Who Was Slain, is the one breaking the seals. None of the events that follow the breaking of the seals are outside of the authority that the Father has given to His beloved Son (Matthew 28:18-20).

The Four Horsemen released by Jesus operate under His sovereign lordship. They are not "running out of control." They are under the control of Jesus.

The souls of the martyrs are urged to be patient. Although more martyrs will be added to their number, each of those deaths is precious and even costly to their Lord, who shares in the persecution of those who make up the Church, the Body of Christ on earth (Psalm 116:15 and Acts 9:4-5).

Even the earth's destruction, which was foreshadowed in the darkness and earthquake of Good Friday (Matthew 27:45-54), will result in the New Creation where the followers of Jesus will enjoy an eternity free from suffering and death.

So do not despair.

Far from a vision of hopelessness, Revelation 6, and the entire book for that matter, speaks God's final Word of comfort, hope, and victory.

Jesus Himself promises the crown of life to those who are not shaken by the events which must take place but instead remain faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10).