W.W.J.D.

Remember those initials (W.W.J.D)?  Those initials were so popular through the 90s and you still see it around today – What Would Jesus Do?  I must say from a business standpoint, someone better have made bank for the genius marketing that took place.  I never did get into the fad all that much; having a name that starts with “J” didn’t help since I could insert my name, plus I thought it was a cheesy phrase.

The phrase came to the forefront of my mind recently (amongst other things that I ponder daily about) in light of what started here in the US and has sparked an international outrage.  I have to preface what I write and reiterate that these are my personal internal  dialogs and writing them down is cathartic for me.  I love current affairs and try to be educated on things that happen around the world – I read up on news from all over the world and absorb as much as I can.  I am intrigued by politics and systems of governing.  I have a deep faith and thus, am drawn to faith conversations here and beyond.

So, when our dear pastor friend from Florida decided to go public with his intentions, I began observing the backlash or outbursts from all angles – political, religious, military, legal, personal.  I must admit that the day the news broke and I saw the headline, I was a little disgusted by it; I didn’t need to read to much into in to know that it was not a good situation.  Being a bi-vocational pastor myself, I like to know what other pastors are up to and how God is using them, so this was not a good start.

I understand the mainstream media has a job to spread the news to a mass audience and the bottom line (sponsors, ads, etc) more often than not gets in the way.  As such, a slightly sensationalized headline will grab attention.  I honestly don’t like to see a headline with the words “Pastor” doing or involved in something; mostly likely it is not good.  Rarely does the media leave the headline space for a pastor who is doing something good.  I digress.

This was when the phrase W.W.J.D.  popped into my head.  There were and still are tons of responses/comments/advice/whatnot that are in a similar vein.  What would Jesus do?  What I considered a cheesy phrase now was illuminating my mind.  What would Jesus do, not only to the situation at hand or the root of it, but also with the person who started this whole international incident?  My little imaginative mind started to wonder and picture how Jesus would respond.  I started thinking of scriptures and scenarios in the Bible of similar encounters.

Jesus is and should be our perfect example.  He personified compassion; He showed love; He offered grace and mercy; He spoke truth, calling things how they were, all at the same time not discriminating.  I think about the Samaritan woman at the well and how her life was radically transformed – Jesus made it a point to engage her in conversation.  He broke tradition and rules when He came into her life; she was a woman and a Samaritan, both a big “no no” during that time and for a man of His heritage.  He was willing to cross boundaries, and it wasn’t a coincidence it occurred because He chose to go that route and be at the well at that specific time.  I also think when He raised the only son of a widow because He knew her needs.

Jesus did not tolerate things, neither did He teach tolerance.  He made it clear as to the only way to get to heaven and have eternal life.  He showed love, a love so great that eventually led to His crucifixion.  I heard it once said that tolerance is the antithesis of love.  What does it mean to tolerate?  In simple terms, it means to put up with something even though you may not want to.  Why would that be a good option in life?  I choose love and the expression of Christ’s love.  1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV) says “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal…and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”  I am a drummer so I know the effect of a clanging cymbal and it is not pleasant.

There are so many people in need of hearing the good news of this love; one that is so readily available.  People need to hear about the real Jesus of the Bible and not the one that is designed for specific needs and/or wants.  Christ’s return is eminent so there is much work to be done – Matthew 24:4-8 (NIV) “Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”  Jesus continues to say in verse 14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”  We have the game plan, it is time to execute and show the world the real Jesus and let His love shine through.  No time to waste, it is time to be like Jesus!

Today my perspective is realigned with Jesus and when I ask myself W.W.J.D, I want to show His love and grace and point all things to the One who made all things.