By Youth Workers for Youth Workers
Jesus Got Hijacked
Reaching Out and Loving People Right Where They Are
Craig Gross is the founder and leader of XXXchurch.com.
Those who have followed Jesus have subtly, over time, redefined his plan to fit their particular motives and agendas. Now the concept of living a sacrificial life that is attractive to the broken has largely been replaced with a religious exclusivity that has made people broken.
In the hands of everyone from derailed evangelicals to deceptive evangelists, Jesus' message has been hijacked.
A Look Back in Time
From day to day, to months and years and decades and centuries, the plotline has remained the same. The Savior of the world has been sabotaged.
It may have started as small and subtle—and probably not that harmful, actually. Perhaps a quote taken out of context here, a little misunderstanding there. But eventually these little distortions, these little twistings, turned into all-out manipulations and misrepresentations of the King of the universe.
The most effective hijacking of Jesus and his will has come from those who claim to live for him but really don't. From Constantine's establishment of Christianity as the state-sponsored religion to the merciless and bloody Crusades, Christianity became associated with monopoly, manipulation, and murder.
Over time in these regions, selfish ambition and the pursuit of political power was cloaked in Christ's name. Resentment boiled against anyone who believed. The chasm between believers and unbelievers increased. People used religion to steal, extort, and terrorize. Jesus, it came to be understood, was not about giving, only getting.
His message, sacrifice, and even his name were hijacked.
The Faithful Few
Yet there have always been the faithful. Think about all the hospitals, schools, and charities followers of Jesus have built. Think about all the kids who are fed and housed in the developing world because of Christians.
Christianity is a mixed bag.
Recently, a car pulled out in front of me. Its bumper was plastered with stickers. One said, "Follow me to my Baptist church!" while another said, "Nuke Iran."
Hijacked.
Inch by inch, from his thorn-scarred head to his nail-holed feet, Jesus has been re-sketched until the picture no longer matches the man. In the church, one pew is filled with revolutionaries who want to love and lead people, while another pew seats people who aren't even aware they're in it for themselves.
Many people I talk to see Jesus as somebody who micromanages the events of day-to-day living. They think Jesus' only desire is to take away freedoms and fun and to exclude every person who doesn't always say and do the right things.
The real Jesus had nothing to do with that kind of program. He came to free people from slavery to the law and to be the bridge between God and humanity.
Believe, Behave, Belong
For a long time Christians have been taught a three-step approach to God. It starts with belief. Essentially, if you believe the right things, it will lead to a change in behavior. When you have changed your behavior, you will be accepted by the church. Believe, Behave, Belong.
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Thursday • September 02 • 2010