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