I get questions, a lot of questions. All ministers, of any religion, get questions. I have answers for some (the factual ones), but a lot of the time I can only say what I think and believe, based on what I’ve learned, and hope that the person asking the question will think about it for themselves. Sometimes, I don’t have an answer but I’m more than willing to work on it together.
And sometimes, I get a question that I’m pretty sure the person asking it already thinks they have the answer and they want to hear what I’m going to say about it. Every now and then, I’m also pretty sure that they know what I’m going to say and it’s not going to be the “right” answer for them.
Got one of those this week, and it’s not the first time: if someone were to walk into your church on Sunday morning, come straight to the front and say “I am Jesus, I’ve returned,” how would you know if it’s really Jesus or not?
Right away I said I don’t know for sure, but I’ve known a lot of people who I think have been or are being Jesus in their lives, and they don’t announce that they’re Jesus. That, after all, was what Jesus was teaching us, I think.
That was not a very satisfying response, of course, because they meant the biblical figure we call Jesus and his promise to return, “The Second Coming.” So I said, well, I don’t have an answer to that, but I’m more than willing to work on it together. They weren’t interested, unfortunately.
I have thought about it, though, and I did think about it some more, and I have a few thoughts on how to know it’s “the real Jesus.” Here’s ten - that’s pretty biblical, right?
1. I’m not sure that Jesus would appear in my church on a Sunday morning. Not because there aren’t wonderful, kind and loving followers of Jesus in the pews there, but rather because there is. Jesus will always be found first with those most in need, the poor, the sick, the broken and the lonely.
2. I wonder how Jesus will handle “the church.” Jesus constantly questioned institutions and structures. That’s not to say that Jesus would avoid churches, I just think Jesus is about people first.
3. If the Jesus you meet has an answer for every question you have and tells you what you should think, I think that I’d think twice about that Jesus. I think Jesus wants to guide us on our journey in life, not tell us how to walk and where to walk. We find our way with Jesus by our side.
4. Speaking of life, if you think that the second coming of Jesus ushers in the “end times,” I’d say that anyone who tells you that they need to bring about the end times now, in any way that causes hurt, pain or damage to others or any part of creation, is not Jesus. The end will come when it comes, we need to watch for it, not accelerate it. And remember, the end of this world is the beginning of a new one.
5. The good news of Jesus belongs to no particular nation, culture, tradition, society or people named Jesus. It’s about life, love and grace for all. All.
6. I don’t think Jesus demands blind obedience, but a thoughtful, heartfelt partnership. “Blind faith” ought to be an oxymoron. True faith should demand our thoughtful minds, caring hearts and eager hands.
7. Jesus is about building community, with respect, justice and equality for all, whoever and however we are. I don’t think Jesus is interested in sameness or uniformity, but rather a unity or oneness that comes from recognizing the uniqueness of each of us and how we come together.
8. That means relationships are important. I don’t think Jesus would isolate or set apart anyone. I think Jesus wants to engage the world, seeking ways to include everyone.
9. I don’t think Jesus would ever - ever, ever - use fear. One of the most important things said by the Jesus we know is “don’t be afraid,” and Jesus said that more than anything else.
10. Love. Jesus is all about love. If love isn’t at the heart of it, it’s not Jesus.
Come to think of it, you could probably just skip numbers 1-9 and just go with that last one. That’s how you know it’s Jesus: love.
I think I need a holiday now.
