Jesus the servant washing the feet of Bin Laden?

[seekthetruth909]

A Christian group put up some controversial artwork and many Christians were offended.
Please check out this blog by a theology professor and post your comments here.
Thank you
Seek
http://gregboyd.blogspot.com/2007/11/washing-osamas-feet.html

[Cabal]

Yikes. Challenging stuff.

Technically he's washing Annan's feet, but I guess the implication is pretty obvious.

[mont974x4]

He's washed the feet of the apostles and the sins of all His children. As much as my flesh wants to hunt UBL down like a dog I do hope and pray he finds the truth.

[Svt4Him]

Didn't I see this exact same thread in the SF area?

[FaultySurplus]

A Christian group put up some controversial artwork and many Christians were offended.
Please check out this blog by a theology professor and post your comments here.
Thank you
Seek
http://gregboyd.blogspot.com/2007/11/washing-osamas-feet.html

I find one of the last sections by the blogger very interesting:

'In Christ, God's been kind to Osama. May we who are his children do the same. May we be encouraged by the above picture rather than offended by it. May we pray, "Father, forgive Osama. He doesn't know what he's doing."'

I wonder how many of us could actually do that. For better or for worse, I for one couldn't. Just like a murderer on death row who accepts Jesus must still pay for his crimes, so should Osama even if he repented.

[Cabal]

Asking for forgiveness at the bare minimum spares you of the most important consequences - being sent to hell.

However, that does not always excuse the earthly consequences.

[Nadiine]

A Christian group put up some controversial artwork and many Christians were offended.
Please check out this blog by a theology professor and post your comments here.
Thank you
Seek
http://gregboyd.blogspot.com/2007/11/washing-osamas-feet.html
The page uses this reasoning:
What does this say about how many American Christians envision Jesus? Obviously, the protesters believe that Jesus would not wash Osama Bin Laden’s feet. But Jesus died "not only for our sins, but for the sins of the whole world" (I Jn 2:2) -- and this obviously includes Osama. So if Jesus died for Osama, how are we to imagine him being unwilling to wash his feet?

Well, what was the purpose of washing feet? It was an example of those taking part with Him BEFORE He went to the cross. If we don't ACCEPT Jesus' cleansing (ie. at the cross over our filthy sins), we are not part of Him.
It was an imagery lesson to us.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Jhn/Jhn013.html?q=John%2013#top

It isn't that we draw Jesus' washing feet post crucifixion - He died once for all sin. THAT was Jesus' humble ministry to die for man's sin & atone for our souls to remove our sins (sins of those who only accept that gift).

The bible tells us how Christ is coming back in Revelation 1. it's not as a SERVANT, but as a JUDGE to punish evil.
He isn't up there as our "servant" anymore - His foot washing was to point to His service in dying for us to CLEANSE US. Humbling Himself to save us thru His infinite love & mercy.
NOT washing feet of mass murderers once He's already died.

Now if someone can show me something otherwise, I"m all eyes and open to listening to other views.
But I find the picture very offensive since the example of foot washing pointed to His death on the cross and us being a part of Him - & to Judas the betrayer, possibly in showing us that Christ died for ALL - even those who will reject Him.
NOT AFTER the event when He's said to return to earth in His glory and taking out vengeance on evil. It doesn't fit with this picture.

[seekthetruth909]

Hello Nadine thank you for replying.

[quote]Well, what was the purpose of washing feet? It was an example of those taking part with Him BEFORE He went to the cross. If we don't ACCEPT Jesus' cleansing (ie. at the cross over our filthy sins), we are not part of Him.

It was also as an example to us to be servants to others.

It isn't that we draw Jesus' washing feet post crucifixion - He died once for all sin. THAT was Jesus' humble ministry to die for man's sin & atone for our souls to remove our sins (sins of those who only accept that gift).

The bible tells us how Christ is coming back in Revelation 1. it's not as a SERVANT, but as a JUDGE to punish evil.
He isn't up there as our "servant" anymore - His foot washing was to point to His service in dying for us to CLEANSE US. Humbling Himself to save us thru His infinite love & mercy.NOT washing feet of mass murderers once He's already died.
I disagree that Jesus no longer serves us in anyway. When He allows us to find him, He is serving us. When He fills our lives with His presence, He serves us. When He loves us beyond the capability of any human, He serves us.

Now if someone can show me something otherwise, I"m all eyes and open to listening to other views.
But I find the picture very offensive since the example of foot washing pointed to His death on the cross and us being a part of Him - & to Judas the betrayer, possibly in showing us that Christ died for ALL - even those who will reject Him.
NOT AFTER the event when He's said to return to earth in His glory and taking out vengeance on evil. It doesn't fit with this picture.

It is irrelevant that Jesus will return one day with a vengeance.We are to walk in the Spirit today and are to follow the examples of Jesus's life on earth. We are not to follow what He will do as the supreme ruler of the universe in the future. After all He is God we are not. The bible says to leave vengeance to God. [Romans 12:17] We must use the teachings He gave to His disciples as a roadmap for our behavior towards others.

Presently we are commanded to love our enemies and to be servants to others. I believe the artist’s intent was to show the servant attitude Jesus had towards all men and women including Judas who He knew would betray him. We are to follow the example of Jesus regardless of how much we struggle with loving our enemies.

On the other hand in some regards I do believe the portrait may be inappropriate. It lacks sensitivity because of the victims of 911. By using Saddam or someone else regarded as evil, it would still have served the purpose of conveying the message of love of enemies and a servant’s heart, without affecting those suffering the trauma of 911. But that was probably the artist’s intent, taking the most detestable person to Americans in the world and presenting him under God’s care. The truth is if Bin Laden were to accept Christ before his death, he would one day be hanging out with you in heaven. To many including myself that is an unpleasant thought, but Gods forgiveness, compassion, and love is so much greater than ours.

Seek


Matthew 23:6-18
8"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.[a] 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Mark 9:30-60 30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. Who is Greatest? 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

Matthew 20:25-32
25 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Matt 5:38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[b] 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Love for Enemies 43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[c] and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies[d] and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

[marke]

Seekthetruth101, I love you.

Thank God someone on these forums presents a view that is consistent with the teachings of Jesus. Most present their own misguided views and call them "Christian" when the only thing Christian about their opinions is the scripture that details how you can tell a person is NOT a Christian.

The quotes you made:

Matthew 20:25-32
25 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Matt 5:38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[b] 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Love for Enemies 43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[c] and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies[d] and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? .

Are right on. These are the dictates of the one we profess to be our Lord and yet the hate expressed on these forums by people who call themselves "Christians" is appalling. Yes, appalling. Worse than that, is the hordes of people who agree with these wrong teachings.

"Many are called, but few are chosen" is a sad state of affairs, but the word of our Lord Himself. It seems most on these forums would rather be an American before a "Christian" or a republican before a "Christian" or a democrat before a "Christian". Why? Because they would rather be a part of this world instead of an observer in it and the dictates of the faith just don't fit in with their opinion so instead of changing their opinion they pollute the rest with their nonsense and lead others down the wrong path. God will not wrong them on the day of Judgement. I feel sorry for them.

There is no such reality as a republican Christian or a democrat Christian. This is the evil one working to split the church. It's a bit of a conflict of interest and those you put things of the world before their faith will share their fate with the unbelievers. A sad thing indeed.

Christian first, foremost and forever and you will not be led astray.

I feel so sorry for so many on these forums, but you are not one of them Seekthetruth101.

When the NT says you will know the followers of Jesus by their actions, your actions speak well of you Seekthetruth101.

Thank you for helping the misguided with your informed and kind postings.

God Bless

Marke

[Nadiine]

Seekthetruth101, I love you.

Thank God someone on these forums presents a view that is consistent with the teachings of Jesus. Most present their own misguided views and call them "Christian" when the only thing Christian about their opinions is the scripture that details how you can tell a person is NOT a Christian.

The quotes you made:

Matthew 20:25-32
25 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Matt 5:38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[b] 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Love for Enemies 43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[c] and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies[d] and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? .

Are right on. These are the dictates of the one we profess to be our Lord and yet the hate expressed on these forums by people who call themselves "Christians" is appalling. Yes, appalling. Worse than that, is the hordes of people who agree with these wrong teachings.

"Many are called, but few are chosen" is a sad state of affairs, but the word of our Lord Himself. It seems most on these forums would rather be an American before a "Christian" or a republican before a "Christian" or a democrat before a "Christian". Why? Because they would rather be a part of this world instead of an observer in it and the dictates of the faith just don't fit in with their opinion so instead of changing their opinion they pollute the rest with their nonsense and lead others down the wrong path. God will not wrong them on the day of Judgement. I feel sorry for them.

There is no such reality as a republican Christian or a democrat Christian. This is the evil one working to split the church. It's a bit of a conflict of interest and those you put things of the world before their faith will share their fate with the unbelievers. A sad thing indeed.

Christian first, foremost and forever and you will not be led astray.

I feel so sorry for so many on these forums, but you are not one of them Seekthetruth101.

When the NT says you will know the followers of Jesus by their actions, your actions speak well of you Seekthetruth101.

Thank you for helping the misguided with your informed and kind postings.

God Bless

Marke
oh boy - I'm assuming you consider me or some others misguided? And somehow your post seems to imply that if we don't find Jesus washing the feet of Bin Laden 'beautiful', then we're "of the world" or hellbound or something? :scratch: :doh:

I think this post is a little harsh in verbage on such an issue.
I'd also go a step further to point out that just becuz people would find it offensive, it doesn't remove the fact that they may have prayed for this terrorist - I have prayed heavily for Sadaam Hussein - so be careful who you judge by appearance.