What’s with the Jesus in the bathtub?
When spring arrived in our area, the leaves budded, the flowers bloomed and a new crop of bathtub shrines appeared. And we’re in the heart of the Bible Belt — not that many Catholics to speak of. Now, if you haven’t seen them, they usually are placed in the front yard for street view. They are full sized bathtubs that are submerged in the soil, vertically, half way, with a figurine placed in the center. This configuration is in the form of a grotto, which is an Italian word for “cave.” Flowers and landscaping are added to some.
The primary figure is the Virgin Mary, but around here there seems to be more figures of Jesus, maybe because we are in the Bible Belt. Sometimes they will substitute Mother or Son with their favorite saint. I don’t recall seeing anyone bowing before the tub in worship, so I’m not quite sure what the purpose is in having them. And using a bathtub seems, well, tacky. You would think the Son of God, or his Mom, would rate something better.
Perhaps the tub talisman is a visual reminder that we are to come clean. No hidden sins or secrets. No unclean living or soiled spirituality. Many religions use such reminders in order to stay focused, so I’m not knocking it. However, I think the best reminder is to be in each others lives, intimately, bearing one another’s burdens and teaching by example.
While there are no Biblical references to Jesus bathing, he was certainly no stranger to water. He was baptized in it, walked on it, calmed it and changed it into wine. One time he used a basin to wash his disciples’ feet (John 13:5). They didn’t seem to understand why he was doing it, but he basically told them that they would figure it out later. Some folks today have made it into a ritual, but I’m not so sure that they have really figured it out.
Peter saw the event as a service performed by a lowly servant. So when Jesus came to him, he refused, apparently feeling that the Messiah should not stoop so low. Jesus gently rebuked him, saying that such a refusal would eliminate Peter from service in the Kingdom of God. Peter’s dramatic response was, “Don’t stop with my feet!”
Such passages are subject to personal interpretation. Here’s mine.
Jesus picked one of the lowest forms of servitude in order to share intimacy with his closest followers. He wanted to teach them that no form of service is to be rejected. I don’t think that he intended for them to begin a foot-washing ministry, but he wanted them to know that individual service is part and parcel of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Doctrine isn’t important. Fiery sermons aren’t important. Praise services aren’t important. Monetary offerings aren’t important. Bible thumping isn’t important. Gospel tracts aren’t important.
They might be needed or wanted. But they’re not important in the grand scheme of God’s love.
I struggle every day against the desire to be selfish. We humans are blessed with (and cursed with) the ability to communicate in various forms — looks, touch, speech and body language. Public acts of service can be offset with a judgmental attitude or hurtful gossip.
A few years back we saw a spate of encouragement for random acts of kindness via bulletins and billboards. What we really need are constant acts of kindness. Jesus wasn’t launching a program filled with self-help tools. He was promoting a complete lifestyle change. He warned that our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees, who were famous for having it all nailed down and documented, but had failed at living in the truth. (Matthew 5:20)
Jesus wants us clean. A quick shower won’t do it. Life is a long road on a dusty highway. Jesus fills his tub with spiritual water. We can stick our toe in it, dab at our bodies with it or plunge headlong into it. I suspect that we do a little of each. But that’s ok. We must not give up trying. And the more we serve others in love, the cleaner we become.
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