The Creepy Jesus Vibe - July 10

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 16, 17; PM Psalm 22; Deut. 31:7-13,24-32:4; Rom 10:1-13; Matt. 24:15-31

When I was a youth minister, someone gave me this cartoon that hung out on one of my bulletin boards for several years.  It said, “I like that Jesus guy, but his followers sure give me the creeps.”  What is it about followers of Jesus?  We are all just that, and yet, let’s be real, we don’t want to give off too much of the creepy Jesus vibe. 

Now Jesus is not only my life but my profession.  I don’t just try to follow Jesus, but it is my calling to lead others to his radical way of love.  And yet, I am writing about the creepy Jesus vibe, and my hunch is you all know what I am talking about.  It’s that phrase in Paul’s letter to the Romans: “I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened.”  Ouch, Paul!  They love God, but they don’t know what they are doing?  Paul continues, “For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness.” In my own language, they care more about loving God than living into God’s radical way of love.

I am wondering if part of what that creepy Jesus vibe is living into that nasty temptation to love God more than to love what God is inviting us into: a way of living with God through love.  And I wonder if that is what Paul is pointing us to in his Epistle to the Roman people. I saw a story recently of people sharing images of Christians yelling hateful things at other people.  In many places in the world, I suspect this is how we are perceived to be, people obsessed with telling others how they are doing it all wrong instead of people who live a way of service, love, humility, empathy, and compassion.  And I am wondering if all of that stems from glorifying Jesus above glorifying what God is inviting us into: that is the radical way of love. We become more obsessed with our love of Jesus then the life that flows from his love.

I love the point Paul makes towards the end of this passage – “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.” I think we get it right when we see all people as children of God, and when we lose the judgment and move to love.  Maybe it’s how we can be followers of Jesus and drop the creepy vibe part too.

 -       John+

 Questions for Self-Reflections

  • Are there parts of the Christian faith that bother you? 

  • What about as your identity as a Christian?

Daily Challenge

Today, pay attention and notice when you are judging others.  We likely all do it, but paying attention and naming it may be the key to learning to suspend judgment.

John Burruss