It is a simple concept that is identified twice in the scriptures. IN Matthew 27, as Pontius Pilate wrestled with whether he should crucify Jesus, he took a basin of water and washed his hands before the crowd while saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood.” In John 13, on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus took a basin of water and washed the fell of all His disciples. He washed the feet of Judas. Some wash their hands of Jesus time after time, choosing to ignore His love, mercy, grace, and call to abundant eternal life. Others embrace His call, His example, and His teachings. Those folks believe and practice such teachings as “Whatever you want others to do for you, do the same for them because this fulfills the Law and the prophets. That is from Matthew 7:12, part of the sermon on the mount. It is often referred to as the golden rule. On the night of His arrest, John tells us, in John 13:14-17, “If I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you ought also to wash one another’s feet. I have given you an example that you should do just as I have done for you. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”
Which basin have you chosen? In Mark 2, we find the story of four anonymous men who, though they had not heard Jesus say those things, lived out these teachings by taking the risk to help a friend in need. As the story goes, Jesus was teaching in a local home. Homes were small and usually had a flat roof. There would be an outside staircase or a ladder for access to the roof in the cool of the early morning. The house was at capacity, standing room only. It is likely that a crowd had gathered around the door. That is the scene when these four guys show up carrying their paralyzed fried on a cot. The crowd is blocking the access to Jesus, so their mission has been in vain, or so it seems.
There was no giving up. They found the access to the roof and carried their disabled friend up. They took whatever they could us to dig a hole in the clay roof. Once the hole was large enough, they took ropes, or they might have used their outer garments to lower their friend to the feet of Jesus. Mark 2:5 says, “Seeing THEIR faith, Jesus told the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.” This was basin theology at its best. The four friends would not be discouraged or deprived as they sought to bring their friend in need into the Presence of Jesus. They could have given up, but they persisted because they believed that Jesus was the only answer for their friends need. Jesus honored their persistent faith by meeting the man’s spiritual need first and then healing him of his paralysis. Our job is not to convict people of sin nor transform their lives. Our responsibility is to introduce them to Jesus and let Him transform their lives.
For your lost family members and friends, continue to persist in praying for their salvation. Use every opportunity to move them towards Jesus. Do not give up because of resistance. God’s desire for their salvation is greater than yours. Pastor Ken Hemphill writes that God has given every true believer as splash zone. Splash stands for Show People Love And Share Him. The people in your splash zone are your mission field. Family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors are people for whom Jesus died. Show them love as often as possible. Pray for them regularly. Do not try to change them. Earn their trust, be patient, and invite them into the presence of Jesus. He will do the divine work. Just take up your basin, whatever it is, and trust God to do the rest.
