#Geez I'm like a pharisee

[insidethemarble]

The Porcelain Throne of Judgment

“Oh. I’ll clean it up!” he said.  Words, and subsequent actions, which have become one of the clearest demonstrations of grace that I’ve ever witnessed.  ~~~~~ One day last year, I stood with all of my roommates in the hallway, preparing to embark on a group adventure. I live with 4 other guys in the upper level of a church. The sanctuary is right below our apartments. It’s pretty trendy.  I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. Upon walking in, it was hard to miss the puddle of “golden glory” sitting smugly on the toilet seat. Lovely.  I was annoyed. All of my roommates are grown adults! Is it really so difficult to pee into the toilet, not on it? Come on guys! 

With angry hands on my hips, I walked back to the laughing cluster and said, “Who left pee on the toilet seat?” Any moment now, I expected someone to fess up and offer to go wipe it off. How “just” of me, right? Teaching someone responsibility and general hygiene. I was making the world a better place by enforcing the standards of basic humanity and “trusting” my roommates to take ownership; to be the dignified men God has called them to be. I represented God’s own “White Throne of Judgment” [Rev 20]. Thank goodness I lived here so that righteousness could be established in the house of the Lord!  (Oh brother...) What I expected is not what I got. My friend, Anthony, happened to be with us that day. He’s officially been a pastor for only a few years, but his wisdom and character reflect a much deeper walk with Christ than I usually get to see in most folks. On this day, while I sat on my critical seat of judgment demanding justice and accountability, Anthony surprised me with his quick and kind response: “Oh. I’ll clean it up!” Crazy, right!? He didn’t make the mess. In fact, we never found out who was responsible. But he took ownership, bringing the solution by doing what only potty-training dads do. He cleaned up somebody’s pee! (....gross)

“What!? No!” I thought. “How are we going to punish someone if you clean it up for them?  But Anthony didn’t think like that, because he knew who sat on the throne of his life. He demonstrated a kingdom principle that day which has stuck with me ever since. It’s all over the bible, but sometimes you have to see it in action before it sinks (or in this case, flushes). He demonstrated grace. With a servant’s heart, he covered someone else’s mistake by cleaning up their mess, without the need for punishment or retribution. Nobody got in trouble. Nobody was publicly shamed. The issue was solved, and we went on our merry way without further incident. I didn’t say anything at the time but I was deeply impacted by that moment. That kind of attitude only comes from one person. The apostle John says, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands...rose from supper...Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around his waist.” Later on, Jesus explains what he’s doing. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example...” [John 13:1-15]

Jesus solved problems that weren’t his and he freed people with forgiveness. He did, and still does, prefer mercy over immediate punishment. And he prioritizes relationship, removing walls that divide us with the goal of peace and reconciliation. He’s not out to punish us; he wants us to experience his love. So instead of coming at us with retribution, or keeping a grudge-list, He nailed our offenses to the cross and cleaned up the mess we made. Through his forgiveness, I’m free to relax and trust that he likes me, wants me around, and that I won’t end up in the doghouse for my numerous, numerous mistakes. Thank goodness. He expects us to do the same. Since He forgave me of my sins (aka, criticism, judgment, and mis-applied justice mentalities) how much more can I forgive my brother who pees on the seat? (Jesus died for that too, by the way). I want my first instincts to be to forgive and resolve. Forgive wrongdoers their wrongs and resolve problems without making a scene.  I want to be someone who brings freedom and grace rather than justice and law. That’s what Jesus did, and we love him for it. [John 1:16-17] It was easy that day to see who sat on the “throne” of Anthony’s attitude. Whether it’s before the white throne of judgment, or the porcelain throne of grace, I want my character to represent Christ’s.  So next time, I’ll just clean it up.