Today in Sunday School we studied the sixth session of studying the book Compelled by Love by Ed Stetzer and Philip Nation. Along with the book there is a video segment presented by the authors for each chapter.
The part that really caught my attention was when the authors spoke of the two bowls of water involved in the true story of the crucifixion of Jesus.
The first bowl is the bowl of water Jesus used to wash his disciples feet. This bowl represents servanthood. And not only servanthood to those who were faithful to Him. Jesus washed the feet of those who He knew would sleep through his hour of agony in the garden. He washed the feet of the man who would deny him three time in one night. He washed the feet of the one who would doubt His resurrection. And he washed the feet of the one He knew would betray Him before the night was over.
Servanthood in it's purest form.
The second bowl is seen when Pilate stood before the crowd of people filled with blood lust and washed his hands as a symbol of his innocence of the blood of this blameless man. And then he walked away, turning his back on his own responsibility as he tried to deny the guilt of taking the cowards way out. A total opposite of servanthood, this act of self service and the inability to take a stand for another.
A true story from long ago that still has relevance today.
Which bowl do I choose when faced with the choice of serving or turning my back?
Do I pick and choose who is "worthy" of being served?
If Jesus used the same criteria to decide whether or not I am "worthy" of the ultimate act of servanthood He performed for me that I use to decide another's "worthiness" where would I stand now?
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Stopping by from Say Hi Sunday Blog hop. I love your blog! Can't wait to get to know you more. I choose serving! Stop by for a visit some time, http://www.homesteadbountyblessings.com
ReplyDeletemany blessings to you and your family,
Jacqui
Excellent illustration with the two bowls - will have to file it away for next years Easter Sermons. It is awesome to think that Christ washed the feet of those who would soon run away from him, yet he still washed their feet lovingly.
ReplyDeleteThis is rather piercing, convicting. I love the image of the 2 bowls. Something to bring to mind when I am faced with the decision. Oh, how I want to always be pure in heart as I serve.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a powerful symbol and question: which bowl do we choose? Truthfully, I don't always make the right choices in my faith walk. I'm grateful for the grace of forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteServing or tuning my back? Good, good question. I want to choose serving. I strive to choose serving, and yet, sometimes, I turn my back.
ReplyDeleteA good question to ask. You call it serving, I call it sheltering, and it's all the same. If God sticks someone in my heart it shouldn't matter why they need the sheltering--but that they do. It's easy to think, "They made their bed now they can lie in it." My prayer is "a sheltering tree with pure leafy arms." Thank you for a post that makes me think and check up on myself.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Pamela