Paradox: Water
Monday
Water is not very controversial. No one debates it's importance for life on this big blue ball we all live on. In fact, when 70.8% of the Earth is covered with water it is easy to take it for granted. I wonder if most kids these days even know that water comes from some place other than a bottle.
Despite it's comfortable seat in the midst of our culture and society, water has had a sorted past when it come to spirituality. Even within the text of the Bible water has carried different meanings, in and of itself, as well as, they way humanity relates to it. In Matthew 27:24, Pilate washed his hands in a basin of water as he removed himself from the decision making process of what would happen to Jesus. His unwillingness to act made him as guilty as the mobs that put Jesus on the cross. He committed indirect murder because of his selfish act deflection.
We can see the antithesis of Pilate's actions in another basin of water, as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. In John 13 we see a selfless act of love as Jesus humbled himself before those that followed him. He not only served those around them, but he also challenged them to follow his example of servant hood and humility. What an awesome picture of grace and responsibility.
I believe that we all stand at a basin of water every day. We have the choice to serve others or ourselves. One decision follows the example of the of a man that gave himself for those he loved. The other decision follows our human nature that is founded in selfishness and self preservation. Could what we do with our hands change a life or take one? Do we engage in indirect murder when we choose to not act. Pilate found solace in the fact that he did not pull the trigger, and we are not much different. I believe that in this day and age we must stand up and choose selflessness over selfishness. We must make a choice and act, instead of doing nothing. Love: Serve: Change
John 13:12-15
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
~Nick R.
