What do you see in the basin?

Monday August 12, 2013

Basin: a bowl for washing. An open, shallow, usually round container.

Yes, but there’s much more there than meets the eye.

I hope I never stop discovering the richness of the gospels!

Each story—most taught to me when I was tiny—is full of Christ. Not just full of His actions, but brimming over with His heart.

I’m amazed—and encouraged—that even though I’ve heard these stories for years, there is so much more of Him to discover. (And thankful, too, to my pastor for leading us to the wealth.)

Take a look at that basin. The one used to wash those disciples’ feet in the Upper Room.

Did you realize the basin made its debut in the middle of the meal? John 13:2-4 tell us that the meal was being served and Jesus got up from the meal, girded Himself with the towel, and grabbed the basin.

Feet were usually washed when one entered at the door, but this was a secret meeting, one without preparation. There was no servant there. Correction: there was but one Servant there. The disciples, in fact, had just been arguing about who would sit on Jesus’s right and left in His kingdom. You can be sure they weren’t of the mindset to wash feet.

So Christ did.

And in the washing of those feet, the wielding of the basin and towel, we see:

Jesus’s authenticity. He IS the real. John 13:4 says, “He showed them the full extent of His love”—in the foot washing. That statement doesn’t precede the cross, it introduces Christ’s humble act of washing the disciples’ feet. When we humble ourselves to serve others, we show how real our faith really is. Christ showed His love and introduced His sacrifice by donning a towel and picking up a basin. It was real, practical, rubber-meets-the-road love.

Christ’s unconditional love. The savior became servant that day. In one simple act, He said, “I want to take care of even the dust of your feet. Nothing that touches your life is insignificant.”

And He didn’t just say that to the faithful. Remember who was there? Judas would betray, Peter would deny, the rest would flee…but Christ’s actions said, “I will love you.”

Humility—gift and necessity. He gave a humble gift that day. But a gift has to be received. We have to humble ourselves—admit that we need Him—and be served by Him. We have to open our hearts and lives, show Him our dirty feet, and let Him cleanse us.

There’s so much there. In the basin of servanthood, blessings abound!

• He shows the extent of His love in practical ways in my life.
• He loves even when I flee—and He will tomorrow, too.
• He can deal with the dirt of my life.

Bring on the basin.


I'm linking up with Laura, Michelle, and Jen today.