The “What Would Jesus Do?” fad is not as popular now as it was a couple of years ago, but I still see some of the bracelets and bumper stickers. While reading Luke’s gospel today, I noticed some of the things Jesus did and would do still, since he is unchanging.
1. Stir up an angry mob to the point where they wish to commit murder.
“All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff.” Luke 4:28-29
2. Hang out with the “wrong crowd”.
”Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” Luke 5:29-30
3. Disown his family.
”Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” Luke 8:19-22
4. Tell people if they are not fit for the kingdom of heaven.
”Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9: 61-62
5. Not wash his hands before eating.
“But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?” Luke 11: 38-39
6. Intentionally insult people with the truth.
“One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.” Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” Luke 11: 45-46
7. Call successful people fools.
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ Luke 12: 18-20
What do you think Jesus would do?
I think he would speak truth into people’s lives even when it was insulting, hurtful, or degrading. He did this because He is truth:
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 1984 (NIV1984)
Jesus did this because he came to testify to the truth:
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
"Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37 1984 (NIV1984)
Are you on the side of truth?
No comments:
Post a Comment