THE PARABLE OF THE TWO BASIN

John 13:2-5; Mtt. 27:24

 morning I am inviting you to reflect on the parable of the two basin. One these basin gained prominence when Pilate took it, poured water on it, washed his hands in front of the crowd and said:”I am innocent of this man’s blood, it is your responsibili-ty.” This happened when the Jews took Jesus to Pilate for judg-ment. After careful investigation Pilate knew abundantly clear that the charges were a series of lies, that Jesus was completely innocent and he did not wish to condemn him, yet he did. Pilate knew that it is his responsibility to dispense justice to an innocent man. But he evaded the responsibility of dealing with Jesus and tried to put the blame on someone else. To give an anesthesia to a guilty conscience, he washed his hands with water from the basin and put the blame on others, “let the blood of this innocent man be on your heads.”

This basin therefore is a picture of people and Christians as well, who knows what is right and what is good; knows that it is an opportune time to do it for others; he knows that when he does it, it will be of great help to those in need; and also knows that if he does not do it, no one else may do it. Yet with all these truth in his own heart he evade any responsibility for it. That is Pilate’s basin. Many times it becomes convenient for many Christians to use Pilate’s basin and like the priest and the levite in the parable of the good Samaritan uses rationalization to anesthetize any rambling in their own conscience.

A church bulletin in England recently reported the death of one of their committee’s most valuable member, who went by the name of Someone Else. His passing leaves a gap which will be hard to fill. Someone else had been with the church and the committee from the beginning. He always did more than the normal person’s share of work.

Whenever there was job to do, whenever a helping hand was needed whenever any one needed someone just to listen- one word was on everybody’s lips:”Let somone Else do it.” So whenever there was a need for volunteers, everyone took it for granted that Someone else would step forward.

Yes Someone Else was a wonderful person, sometimes appearing to be a super-human. But a person can do only so much. We all have to admit that have we expected so much of Someone else. Perhaps that is what killed him.

The second basin also gained its usefullness when Jesus saw the jealousy, the pride and the greedy ambition of his disciples, he took a basin, poured water on it and with a towel on his hands washed the disciples feet. This act of supreme humility by the Lord shamed the disciples jealousy, quenched their pride and washed their greedy ambition. Jesus concluded his acted parable of the basin by these words:”Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. Go and do it to others.

The basin of Jesus is a perfect picture of initiative and responsibility. In fact Jesus was manifesting a divine character that when man was helpless dying in their sin God took the divine initiative to bring salvation to mankind. He sent His only begotten son to bring salvation to all men. God knew that if He will not take that initiative man will forever be lost.

Again and again when man turns his back to God, God is always the first to make the move, an initiative to bring him to the Lord.

God knows the importance of initiative in the work of the kingdom of his kingdom.

So He uses people with initiative, those who

display an eagerness to stand up and be counted for Him. They are courageous, faithful, and have a unique willingness to be used of God regardless of the consequences. Esther in our Old testament reading was this type of person.

Had it not been for her willingness to take the initiative, the Jewish people in the Medo-persian empire would have perished. God gave her one opportunity to save her people, and she seized the moment, saying:”I will go to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:16.

Let us learn the art of initiative from Esther’s example.

1. People with initiative take advantage of the opportunities God places before them. Esther was creative in her plan. Once the opportunity opened, she took action. Instead of seeking to cause more hostility, she laid a carefully devised trap to expose the enemy. From the very beginning of the SCYD-YALM-IDEI, all of the previous teachers are mostly pastors, deaconeses, sand youth leaders. When atty. Daniel Gadia volunteered his services to teach at SCYD last summer it was the first of its kind. In fact without his knowing he was a God-sent volunteer to replace one pastor who committed to teach but did not come at the last hour. It also gave stature to the SCYD, for when the parents of the students ask who eere their teachers, they begin with the name of Atty. Daniel Gadia. His example caught also the heart of Gigi Sison, also a future Iwayer, to teach.

1. A person who has initiative respond quickly and wisely to situations of danger. The situation facing Esther was grim. Only a special decree from the king would put a stop to Haman’s plan to massacre the Jews. At times taking the initiative may include risk. Esthen decided to approach the king, even if it is againts the law. She knew of the risk, but determined she said:”I† perish for doing it, I perish.” Yes, If Esther’s plan failed both she and her people would perish.
2. A person with initiative knows how to take the lead in cause to relieve the pressuretive thome brone tale the leads because people with initlative are sensitive. They step in to offer support and assistance when needed. When they that knows that they can be of help their is alwaye that reservoir of goodness in their hearts to offer the good that they have. This in fact is in-shrine in our Methodist heritage and practice. Every Methodist are by character and love expected to doing good of every all men.”
3. A person with initiative acts with assurance of God’s help. This means that if we believe the promises of God, we will go forward in the assurance of His provision. Some things God requires of us may appear frightening. However, if we will trust. O Him and take the inititative, He will be our strength and courage.
4. 5. A person with initiative cooperates with God and is not afraid the future. Esther was aware of God’s covenant promises with Israel. Standing in the light of that promise she trusted God to save her and her people. Fear was never a consideration. Instead, she took the inititative to believe by faith in God’s deliverance.  

CONCLUSION: Brothers and sisters, whatever you are facing, determine top take the initiative. Begin studying God’s Word, ask Him to reveal specific Scriptures to you that deal with your situa-tion, and then apply them to your life.

The people who learn to take the initiative to trust God are the ones God uses to make a difference in His kingdom. When the Billionaire Henry Ford purchased a large insurance policy, the Detroit newspapers blazoned the fact, since the amount was so large and he was prominent. The story was read by one of Ford’s old friends, who happened to be in the insurance business. The old friend went to confront him, and from him since he was personal friend and had been

in the insurance business. Ford’s reply was, “You never asked me.” 

How many of our friends can say to us,”You never asked me to come to your church. You never shared to me your Savior and your Lord.

Oh, you never, took the initiattive to share to me what you have, the fellowship of your church, your savior, your heavenly hopes and your God!

Brethren, when you take the initiative to offer your services to God and his people, I assure that with God’s blessing and grace you will make a difference in His kingdom. Amen.