Washing My Hands

"When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, 'I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.'” - Matthew 27:24

I am washing my hands of it. It's not my problem. I don't have a dog in the hunt. What has that got to do with me? Am I my brother's keeper? There are more that don't come to mind right now. All reasons why I should not be concerned about others. 

I recall a regional Promise Keeper's leaders meeting in Birmingham, Alabama in the 1994. There were 30  maybe 40 men there. Men of different socio-economic backgrounds - different ethnicities.  The topic was unity in the Body of Christ. The leader of the meeting asked "How many of you men of color (a euphemism of not being the color white) have ever had prejudice shown to you by men of another race?" Nearly all - most likely all raised their hands. Then he asked, "How many of you others have shown prejudice toward men of another race." A few of the "white guys" raised their hands. To which the leader said, "There are a few honest men in the group." I mean we were all Christians and we knew what the right thing to do was - but Christians don't always do the right thing do we? So then the leader said "Those of you who did not raise your hands do you even care that hatred toward people because of the color of their sin even happens?"

Do you even care? Or have you distanced yourself from it? Washed your hands of it. You don't do it so it is not your concern.

“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion." - Luke 10:30-33

The priest and the Levite knew the Law well - but they didn't apply it to all people. The guy in the ditch was like them - but it was not their problem. Presented  with an opportunity to "practice what they preached", to demonstrate the love of God, was right there, but they rationalized why they should just move on - walk on the other side of the road - wash their hands of any responsibility.

 “Then the righteous (the sheep) will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’" - Matthew 25:37-40

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone