Day 37: Thirsty

 

Matthew 25:37-40

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Comments

Jesus knew what it was to be thirsty. At a Samaritan well, he asked a woman for a drink. On the cross, he said, “I am thirsty” just before saying his last words: “It is finished.”

God has a history of providing water for the thirsty, helping Jacob dig a well in the desert, and Moses bring forth water from a rock.

The USA generally has good, healthy water available through wells and water systems. The same cannot be said for much of the rest of the world.

Diarrhea from contaminated water is one of the five leading causes of death worldwide, ending  3 million lives each year, 60% of which are children.

Reflections

Our problem is not that we lack water to drink, but that we spend too much on bottled water, soda pop, coffee, tea, beer and wine. Would you give up these for a week (or a month) and donate what you save to an organization that provides clean water to those who have none?

Prayer

Help me thirst for you, Lord, and teach me how to be content with simple water when I do need to satisfy a physical thirst.