What Would Jesus Do?

“What would Jesus do?” That question that became such a successful marketing fad back in the 90’s has come across posts that I have read over the last week a few times on both Christian and non-Christian blogs.

I get a twitch in my eye when I hear it. Not because it is a bad question, but because Christians more often than not respond by thinking “Wow, that is deep!” or by repeating it, “Yeah, what would Jesus do, that is a good question,” instead of actually seriously thinking about it.

For instance:

1. You are doing ministry in a town and revival breaks out complete with miraculous healings. People are literally lining up in droves to hear what you have to say and to ask for help, healing, and hope. What would Jesus do?
2. Some uninvited strangers rudely and unapologetically interrupt a meeting you are leading and present you with a friend of theirs who is incurably ill. What would Jesus do?
3. You are sitting minding your own business when a woman comes up to you and sits down. You can tell by the way she looks, smells, and carries herself that she is involved in some bad stuff. What would Jesus do?
4. You meet a person who is known for being dishonest and has a bad reputation with the community. He wants to hear about God and seems to like you. After a bit of conversation he invites you to come back to his house for a party he is having that night with his friends. Not a savory group of people. What would Jesus do?

How do you think Jesus would respond if He were in those situations? Take a moment and think about each of those before reading on.

(Insert Jeopardy music here)

 

 

 

Ok. Now that you have done that, let me answer it for you: Not what you would expect.

1. The answer is Jesus would leave. Mark 1:38 (NIV) Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” Who would walk away from a revival like that? Isn’t it proof that God is working there? Yet after praying, He determined that His Father wanted Him to move on.
2. You might think that He would heal the guy. The answer is tell the man that He forgives him for his sins and his slate with God is forever wiped clean. Mark 2:5 (NIV) he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
3. Would He say nothing? Would He hand her a Christian tract? Would He tell her that she is a sinner and was going to hell if she didn’t turn her life over to God in repentance? The answer is that Jesus asks her for a drink. John 4:7 (NIV) When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”
4. You might think that Jesus would counter with an invitation of His own to come to where He was staying and meet some good people who could support him in his new walk with God. But the answer is that Jesus accepted his invitation and took his other disciples with Him. Matthew 9:10 (NIV) While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.

You would think that Jesus would attempt to win the people over by winning over the Sanhedrin, the religious leaders who controlled what was taught and how God’s Law was applied in society. Instead He stood against them and was openly critical of them.

You would think He would spend His time with the priests and synagogue leaders who were the spiritual leaders of the community. Instead Jesus goes out and spends His time with a handpicked group of misfits with whom He was constantly criticized for being with.

You might think that after working with the disciples for three years showing them miracle after miracle apexing with coming back from the dead and they still had doubts, you would not go ahead with your plans to leave and commission them to take over the ministry. But that is exactly what Jesus did. Matthew 28:17-20 (NIV), When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

I have been learning that the answer to “What would Jesus do?” is almost always going to be

• What you would least expect.
• What takes you out of your comfort zone.
• What takes serious humility, grace, and mercy.
• What takes you where you would not think of going.
• What leads you to situations where the “morally upright” and “religious leaders” will wonder what the heck you are doing.

Would Jesus go to a Panera Bread? Sure, but I think if there was a bar or a smoke shop next door, He would more likely be there.

Would Jesus hold a Bible study at the Starbucks in the local Barnes and Noble? Sure. But I think He would more likely be hanging out with people at the local tattoo parlor.

Would Jesus come to my house and have dinner with my family? Sure. But I think it is more likely that Jesus would ask why I did not invite the annoying and awkward guy I purposely avoid who sits in the back corner of church as well.

“What would Jesus do” you ask? Do you really want to know? I hope so, but I’m not so sure. But if you really ask that, He will tell you. And if you do it I can tell you two things for sure:

1. The “morally upright Christians” you know will more than likely be scratching their heads and may even tell you to stop in the name of Jesus.
2. You will find a deeper love and joy for Jesus and of His love for you than you did before.