Service comes down to ‘basin’ theology
Bruce Thielemann, former pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, told of a conversation he had once with an active layperson. “You preachers talk a lot about giving,” said the layperson, “but when you get right down to it, it all comes down to basin theology.”
Thielemann asked, “Basin theology? What’s that?”
The layperson replied, “Remember what Pilate did when he had the chance to acquit Jesus? He called for a basin and washed his hands of the whole thing. But Jesus, the night before his death, called for a basin and proceeded to humbly wash the feet of the disciples. It all comes down to basin theology. Which one will you use?”
Pilate was an ambitious man. He was not willing to sacrifice his possessions and his position when he was confronted with the opportunity to choose between what was right and what was expedient. He called for the basin to wash his hands.
Jesus was also an ambitious man. He also called for a basin that he might wash his disciples’ feet.
- Jesus never said ‘Don’t worry about that service thing. I just want you to be comfortable and happy.’
- We don’t see Jesus leading a life of comfort. We see Him leading a life of service.
- What was the big deal? Rabbinical literature suggests even Jewish slaves weren’t allowed to wash feet. That was reserved for the Gentile slaves.
Distinctions between self righteous service and true service:
> Self righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve.
- True service is indiscimate in its ministry.
> Self righteous service fractures community.
- True service build community.
> Self righteous service is affected by moods and whims.
- True service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need.
> Self righteous service requires external rewards.
- True service rests contented on hidden-ness.
> Self righteous service comes through human effort.
- True service comes from a relationship with our Creator.
> Self righteous service is concerned about results.
- True service is free of the need to calculate results.
– You need care if the effort is reciprocated.
> Self righteous service is temporary.
- True service is a lifestyle.
Read more about SERVICE - Celebration of Discipline in Richard Foster’s book.
Tags: News and Media, Notes, Politics, Theology
