A Tale of Two Basins

Mike Willock writes: Moving from the Maundy Thursday service in Niccolls Hall to the sanctuary where the Stations of the Cross are displayed, I was struck by two contrasting uses of a basin and water for washing.

The basin in the Last Supper was used by Jesus, as described in John 13:

“Jesus got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel he tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. … After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. … If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you must also do. ... I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you must also love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”

The other basin was used by Pontius Pilate as described in Matthew 27:

After Pilate had questioned Jesus, he concluded Jesus had done no wrong but he confronted an angry crowd demanding that Jesus be crucified. Pilate then washed his hands in front of the crowd and declared, “I’m innocent of this man’s blood. It’s your problem.” Then Pilate had Jesus whipped and handed him over to be crucified. The first basin is used by Jesus to embody the love we are called to live with one another and to show the power of sacrificial love even in the face of torture and death. The second basin is used by Pilate as he tries to proclaim his own innocence. Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent and he had the power to release him, but in fear of the crowd he condemned an innocent man to torture and death.

In this Holy Easter season, may we – beloved brothers and sisters and disciples of Jesus – live into Jesus’s commandment to love each other – all the others – as Jesus loves us, even when we may fear the consequences. The basin is optional.

God is good. All the time.







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