Would Jesus Have Marched? – Speaking “Into” NOT “At” Our Culture

Yesterday (Saturday) I was “part of” the Dallas Women’s March. It raised the eyebrows of some of my church friends. One friend in protest cut his financial support.

I joined with citizens and participants worldwide of every description and background. It’s being reported that this may have been the largest national march ever. In Dallas as we peacefully frolicked through the streets, we were serenaded with the rhythmic chants of, “This is what democracy looks like!”

Signs populated the cityscape. Some celebrating. Some hilarious. Some declaring. Some angry. Below are some of my favs.

“Compassion has no limits. The marginalized matter. If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it. Ending racism. Respect and protect women’s health care. Women’s rights are human rights. Everyone deserves peace. Freedom for all. We will not be silent.” ~ Sign Slogans Dallas Women’s March January 21, 2017

It was a slightly unorganized, pop-up gathering of a melting pot of Americans in which I totally agreed and resonated — and yet at points, totally disagreed with certain messaging and causes!

Today (Sunday) I was a “part of” a church gathering. I was joined by millions of others nationwide of every description and background. We too were serenaded as we peacefully and joyfully worshiped. These were a sampling of our liturgies and song lyrics.

“You’re a good, good Father. Let the weak say, I am strong. Let the poor say, I am rich. You’re the God of the city. Greater things are yet to be done in this city. You came from heaven to earth to show the way. Everyone needs compassion, a love that’s never failing. Take my fears and failures. Jesus what a friend to sinners. Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” ~ Liturgies and Lyrics of Hymns and Christian Songs

It was a carefully choreographed gathering of a less diverse, less colorful, and significantly older group in which I totally agreed and resonated — and yet at points, totally disagreed with certain messaging and causes!

Sounds confusing, right? But not really.

You see in Jesus we have a model, a forerunner, and living example. He seemed to seamlessly and with amazing grace and loving truth live, walk, and navigate the equally challenging human dynamics of his day. If ever there was a poster child for inclusivity, he was it!

And I find it significant that in our sign slogans and words of worship and liturgy, even among seemingly disparate groups we are more alike than different. The same hopes, aspirations, and dreams. And yet often the reality is we shun and disparage others not like us.

This is NOT the way of Jesus.

Jesus said, that he came that we might have life, and life to the full. He said we are to love our neighbors (all of our neighbors). He came to give his life and to serve. He loved the whole world. He did not come to condemn the world, but to save the world. He said we ARE to be in the world, however NOT of the world.

So would Jesus have marched you ask? I believe with all my heart, YES! Don’t believe me? Just ask Zacchaeus the tax collector (Luke 19). Ask the Samaritan woman at the well. (John 4) Ask the woman caught in adultery. (John 8) Ask Peter, the denier of Jesus (John 18)

You see Jesus was and is the friend of sinners! And with that Jesus drew the ire of the religious community of his day. He was not a wall builder, but a bridge builder. He was a light in the darkness. “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Luke 7:34

Think hard. Are we by our attitudes, actions, and words speaking INTO our culture or speaking AT our culture?

Grateful mercy recipient and friend of sinners,

Jim

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