Dirty Feet

Many of my conservative Christian friends will say things to me like, "I am sure glad that I serve Jesus. He is my friend....etcetera and etcetera."

Well, I have a retort for all of you who have said something like this to me.

Do NOT serve Jesus.

Wait a minute. What are you talking about? Heresy!

BUT before you go condemning me to eternal damnation, consider this:

After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" -John 13:5-9


So what is Jesus really up to here? He is getting his hand muddied up with dust and disciple foot stench.

Peter was at first indignant like most Christians would be at the assertion that it is not your place to serve your Lord. But, we are to do things unto God, right? Well, sure. Go unto the ends of the earth helping people in need. Yes, give your money to the poor. Do it unto to the least and you will have done it to him.

So here is the point: The ONLY way you can "serve" Jesus is to let him wash your dirty feet. Jesus serving you will enable you to serve your fellow human beings. You don't have to get yourself cleaned up on your own to advance the Kingdom of the Heavens through your deeds. That is because your Savior is also your servant. (Not to mean that he does all that you would will. Jesus is not your butler.)

So to clarify:
Jesus is our Servant Savior who washes our feet daily so we can serve others. We are not servants TO God; we are servants of God. When we serve others, it is as if we have served him.
We are not to attempt to wash Jesus feet. That is impossible for our human hands to do.