A local church is doing a sermon series involving what Jesus would say to various celebrities. The signboard asks the question, What would Jesus say to….
Alec Baldwin.
Tom Cruise.
Rosie O’Donnell.
Bono.
I wondered what I would say to each of those famous or infamous people. In my fantasy world I would say something like this…
Alec Baldwin – Don’t misplace your anger.
Tom Cruise – You might want to rethink the medication thing.
Rosie O’Donnell – Remember when you were funny?
Bono – You rock.
In the real world I would likely not say any of those things except maybe the “you rock” to Bono. But I was wondering if what Jesus would say to a celebrity is the right question to ask? I am pretty good at figuring out what Jesus would say to others. I have an amazing ability to hear a sermon and wonder if Congregant A is hearing this? Or to shake my head and think, “Man, does Congregant B need to hear that!”
But the question I need to be asking is what Jesus would say to Dave? That is where I get less comfortable and a bit more reserved. My fantasy conversation with Jesus happens (surprise) at Starbucks. The first question would be be WWJO. What would Jesus order? After we answered that I imagined the conversation would go something like this…
Jesus: I have missed spending time with you recently.
Dave: I have been really busy with work and traveling.
Jesus: I understand. But you know the Shepherd knows when his sheep wander off for awhile.
Dave: Yeah. Sorry.
Jesus: I was glad you came to me with your fear and hurt about Joni’s cancer.
Dave: I don’t know how I could have handled that without you.
Jesus: I am there for you. But you know I am also there when there is not a crisis.
Dave: I know. I forget that sometimes. I get so busy with stupid stuff that I forget to pray and spend time with you.
Jesus: I was just wondering something.
Dave: What?
Jesus: Did you find time to spend with your fantasy baseball team roster today?
Dave: Do you need a refill? Pastry?
Jesus: Nice try. You make time for what is important to you. I want to be as important to you as you are to me.
Dave: Why do you put up with me?
Jesus: Because I love you. And I always will.
So maybe my imaginary conversation with Jesus would not go quite like that. I think that conversation would change how I go about my daily routines. I believe that conversation would alter how I view others. And I believe my talk with Jesus would energize my walk with Him.
So the next question is simple. Why isn’t that already happening on a consistent basis? I have His words and teachings to study. I have the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. I have other followers of Jesus to share the journey with each day.
So what would Jesus say to me? I think He would say something very simple and yet profound enough to challenge me for the rest of my days. Here is a little medley of the message I think He would have for me (and you).
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matt 4:19
But Jesus told him, “Follow me…. Matt 8:22
“Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matt 9:9
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matt 16:24
Then come, follow me.” Matt 19:21
Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” John 1:43
Whoever serves me must follow me; John 12:26
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:22
In the immortal words of Forrest Gump…”I’m not a smart man”. But like Forrest I have a keen sense of the obvious. I have surmised (brilliantly) that Jesus would say to follow Him. The rest of it we will figure out together.
What Would Jesus Say?
Dave BurchettA local church is doing a sermon series involving what Jesus would say to various celebrities. The signboard asks the question, What would Jesus say to….
Alec Baldwin.
Tom Cruise.
Rosie O’Donnell.
Bono.
I wondered what I would say to each of those famous or infamous people. In my fantasy world I would say something like this…
Alec Baldwin – Don’t misplace your anger.
Tom Cruise – You might want to rethink the medication thing.
Rosie O’Donnell – Remember when you were funny?
Bono – You rock.
In the real world I would likely not say any of those things except maybe the “you rock” to Bono. But I was wondering if what Jesus would say to a celebrity is the right question to ask? I am pretty good at figuring out what Jesus would say to others. I have an amazing ability to hear a sermon and wonder if Congregant A is hearing this? Or to shake my head and think, “Man, does Congregant B need to hear that!”
But the question I need to be asking is what Jesus would say to Dave? That is where I get less comfortable and a bit more reserved. My fantasy conversation with Jesus happens (surprise) at Starbucks. The first question would be be WWJO. What would Jesus order? After we answered that I imagined the conversation would go something like this…
Jesus: I have missed spending time with you recently.
Dave: I have been really busy with work and traveling.
Jesus: I understand. But you know the Shepherd knows when his sheep wander off for awhile.
Dave: Yeah. Sorry.
Jesus: I was glad you came to me with your fear and hurt about Joni’s cancer.
Dave: I don’t know how I could have handled that without you.
Jesus: I am there for you. But you know I am also there when there is not a crisis.
Dave: I know. I forget that sometimes. I get so busy with stupid stuff that I forget to pray and spend time with you.
Jesus: I was just wondering something.
Dave: What?
Jesus: Did you find time to spend with your fantasy baseball team roster today?
Dave: Do you need a refill? Pastry?
Jesus: Nice try. You make time for what is important to you. I want to be as important to you as you are to me.
Dave: Why do you put up with me?
Jesus: Because I love you. And I always will.
So maybe my imaginary conversation with Jesus would not go quite like that. I think that conversation would change how I go about my daily routines. I believe that conversation would alter how I view others. And I believe my talk with Jesus would energize my walk with Him.
So the next question is simple. Why isn’t that already happening on a consistent basis? I have His words and teachings to study. I have the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. I have other followers of Jesus to share the journey with each day.
So what would Jesus say to me? I think He would say something very simple and yet profound enough to challenge me for the rest of my days. Here is a little medley of the message I think He would have for me (and you).
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matt 4:19
But Jesus told him, “Follow me…. Matt 8:22
“Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matt 9:9
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matt 16:24
Then come, follow me.” Matt 19:21
Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” John 1:43
Whoever serves me must follow me; John 12:26
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:22
In the immortal words of Forrest Gump…”I’m not a smart man”. But like Forrest I have a keen sense of the obvious. I have surmised (brilliantly) that Jesus would say to follow Him. The rest of it we will figure out together.