THE TITLE, NOT THE TOWEL. Pts. 1-2

 4531

Pt. 1

Jesus criticized the Pharisees of His day. He spoke of their tendency to lengthen the tassels of their robes, and strut their words and wisdom. He spoke of their hypocrisy, and the corruption in their spirits.

There are plenty of present day Pharisees among us who like to be seen and heard. Those who figuratively, (and sometimes literally), "sell" holy water. Those who scam unsuspecting, and ofttimes gullible believers. 

There is one well-known evangelist whose wife, (it is known now), interviewed members of the audience before the service began, and provided him their personal information by way of an earpiece, as he stood on the stage, and "ministered" to needy supplicants. As a result, Rev. P. appeared to have a wealth of prophetic information, and made quite the impression, indeed.

There were two "ministers" from the same Christian denomination who "succumbed to temptation" of the sexual sort, apparently not resolving in their hearts and minds to avoid such behavior at all costs, and who were responsible for disillusioning, and dissolving the faith of many; most especially they who put their faith in a man, and not God.

There are those among us who preach a "prosperity gospel" with a lower case "g", and who lead God's people astray; (one, in particular, in our time whose initials are J.O).

The title, not the towel.

In so many words, we find the phrase throughout scripture... "These things ought not to be."

Pt. 2

When I was a member of the adjunct faculty of a faith-based university in central Florida, (which happened to be my former alma mater), I would walk past a beautiful fountain on my way to my classroom.

In the middle of the fountain were wonderful bronze statues of the Savior and perhaps His best-known, and best-remembered disciple, Peter. Jesus is kneeling at Peter's feet, and holding a towel, and... well, you know the story. 

While I have only participated in one foot washing ceremony in my lifetime, in my ministry as a pastoral counselor, I have figuratively washed the feet of countless believers, and non-believers. 

And while, no doubt, I fall far short of the definition of the word, humbleness is my favorite attribute, and the quality I hope most to emulate. And there is not a better model, and reminder than the Jesus of the towel. 

The towel, not the title.

The ONLY man in all of creation who had the natural right, and prerogative to flaunt His title,... but refused to do so. 

The Creator and Lord of the universe, He who flung the stars and worlds into space, but who put on flesh, and dwelt among us, and served as the only suitable role model for the quality I most long to emulate.

The towel, not the title. The towel, not the title. The towel, not the title.

by Bill McDonald

THE TOWEL, NOT THE TITLE

 4530

Recently, I saw a phrase in a written tribute, alongside an obituary for a great man of God, which "rang true" with me; and which I had never seen so aptly phrased before.

"The towel, not the title."

When I served as an adjunct professor at a local Christian university, I would regularly walk past a beautiful bronze statue, mounted inside a circular fountain, of Jesus washing Peter's feet.

And nothing speaks to that earlier five word phrase any clearer than the biblical story to which this statue so aptly alludes.

I just completed 35 years in the pastoral counseling ministry. And speaking of titles, I was determined to be properly prepared for the task. During the course of my ministry, I earned four academic degrees; ending in the terminal degree of PhD. 

However, from my perspective the title was just a "jumping off place." It had been all about preparation, but it had never been about the title; but rather, the towel. And two weeks ago, I relinquished the ministry, and, in essence, the title; since I finally retired from this sacred profession.

And I hope during the course of my service, I girded myself well, and ably performed the work of the ministry. Jesus, Himself set the standard on that memorable evening, divested Himself of His outer garment, and tucked that towel into His waistband. 

I have only performed what some regard as a sacrament once; the washing of fellow believers' feet. However, I was given the privilege of figuratively performing this duty thousands upon thousands of times, as I ministered to those whom God set in my pathway.

I know God is not finished with me yet. And I pray it will ALWAYS be about the towel, and not the title.

by Bill McDonald, PhD