Would Jesus Wash Osama Bin Laden's Feet?

Breakaway, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Nov 12, 2007 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

Due to a recent unfolding of events in malls in Seattle, it has become necessary to ask and to find out if Jesus really would wash Osama bin Laden's feet. There is a Christian ministry named Heavenly Sanctuary, who puts on conferences around the country that speak on the topic of "The Character of God." This group commissioned an artist named Lars Justinen from the Justinen Creative Group to paint a picture depicting Jesus washing the feet of many world figures, including George W. Bush, Tony Blair, and Osama bin Laden (see picture to the left). To advertise for their conference, they advertised in many malls in the Seattle area using this picture. Almost immediately, people began calling the mall to complain about the picture. Most of the calls were from Christians who were offended by the portrayal of Jesus washing Osama bin Laden's feet. Breaking the contract they had to keep the advertising up, every mall took down the advertising. Even the Christian college who was hosting the conference was no longer willing to hold this conference.

What does this say about American Christians? Is our patriotism blinding what Jesus has commanded us to do? The outraged callers and probably many others would argue that Jesus wouldn't REALLY wash bin Laden's feet. Osama bin Laden hates Christians and he hates Americans, why should we do anything for him? Why should Jesus wash bin Laden's feet? My answer is "Yes, we need to wash bin Laden's feet, and yes, Jesus would too."

The story of washing others' feet is found in John 13:1-15. On the night before he was to be crucified, he got down on his knees, and washed his disciple's feet. Peter, one of his disciples, was shocked that Jesus was doing such a thing. He didn't believe that he deserved to have Jesus wash his feet. Jerold Aust, a writer, breaks it down: "Only later would they comprehend the spiritual significance of this act of humility and the symbols Jesus instituted during that evening's Passover service."

Some would argue, "Well, Jesus didn't have anyone like Osama bin Laden in his time to deal with, and if he had, he surely wouldn't have washed his feet." Jesus understood what it took to love your enemies. He was telling the Jews, that they had to love their enemies. At the time Jesus was telling them this, the Jews were occupied by the Roman Empire. He was telling people to love their enemies even when they were being ruled by their enemies! If Osama bin Laden's terrorist actions allowed him to take over America, Jesus would still be commanding Christians to love their enemy. So, since he hasn't even taken over our country, how much more does the "love your enemies" command ring true.

Yes, taking over planes full of innocent people and flying them into buildings with other innocent people is a cruel and barbaric act. But the Roman Empire had an extremely cruel torture device known as the cross. People would be beaten flogged, then nailed to a wooden beam, strung up to another wooden beam, and be left there to die. Jesus had to suffer this same torture. Not only did he endure it, not only did he forgive the people who was doing that to him, but he made the act of "carrying your cross" a requirement to be a disciple of his. Not only did you have to carry your cross, but you had to do it daily.

Doing the hard thing is what Jesus commands us to do. Loving our enemies, loving those who persecute us, those are the things that Jesus commands. Washing Osama bin Laden's feet is an act of love, that can only be able to be done, by acknowledging the love that God gave us by sending his Son to die. Jesus died for everyone's sins, including Osama bin Laden's.

Published by Breakaway

I am a 24 year old male... I grew up in Nevada and moved to California after I graduated college. View profile

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Would Jesus Wash Osama Bin Laden's Feet?

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