I am in a Facebook conversation with a young woman who has chosen "Cisse Masiix" as her nom de guerre, which means Jesus Christ in Somali. She is a Christian fundamentalist extremist who picks and chooses the scriptures she wants to follow and which others to use as whips on those with whom she disagrees.
I picture her wearing a button reading "WWJD?" But given the style with which she engages in discussion about homosexuality, it's pretty clear she ignores that essential question.
Because here's what Jesus did.
- He spent time with sinners.
- He stopped injustice to the marginalized.
- He healed.
- He taught gently, through stories and parables.
- He broke down barriers between those of opposing social positions, cultures, and ideals.
- He excoriated two groups only: the money changers who extorted the faithful, and the scribes and pharisees who twisted God's instructions and kept people from the love of God. And this latter group gets more gospel attention than anything else.
- He died rather than fight.
- He beseeched God for oneness among his followers.
What he didn't do was use scripture as a cudgel, rather, he proclaimed woe to those who did.
A number of Old Testament passages teach us that his holy name is profaned by hypocritical behavior and false representation of God's words or character.
I worry a bit about what he thinks, this true Jesus Christ, when he watches people take on his name and then preach a message so in conflict with his own.
So if you are reading this, please pray for her, this fervent spitfire. May God open her eyes to the light of Christ.
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