Tag Archives: What would Jesus Do

Mocking and sarcasm

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Whether it be sports, politics, religion, or any other divisive arena in life, there are those who love to mock their opponents or anyone who disagrees with them. We learned it as children and sometimes carry it with us as adults. Whether it’s the Facebook posts we share or the opinionated lives we live, mocking others with a sarcastic attitude is a prevalent activity.

 

We see it in many cross sections of society, including some Christians who fall into this trap. But is it right behavior for Christians? It may be permissible, but is it beneficial? When looking at how you and I should conduct our lives, a good place to start is asking what the Bible says. I searched the Bible for the word “mock” and found 72 references…NONE of them commended by God. Always, mockers are portrayed as wicked and evil. Never are they presented as worthy or righteous.

 

Another place to look as an example of how we should behave is the life and character of Jesus. Where do you find that Jesus mocked and made fun of others? I don’t find any. Oh, for sure he sometimes called them out, particularly the hypocritical religious leaders who violated their responsibility to the people and to God, but he didn’t stoop to mocking them with sarcastic attacks. He simply presented the truth. Shouldn’t we do what Jesus did?

 

You might think to yourself, “Hey lighten up. It’s just a little fun.” But it’s more than that. It grows on you and starts to become your identity. People come to expect you to be witty, mocking, and sarcastic. It changes who you are. Putting others down never lifts you up. I know because that used to be my life; characterized with a biting wit,  based on poking fun at people instead of presenting a solution, mocking instead of making a difference as God’s advocate, being sarcastic instead of sincere.

 

There’ nothing wrong with having fun, but let’s not do it at the expense of others, even our enemies and opponents. It’s not scriptural and it isn’t beneficial for any of us. We want to live lives focused on and honorable to God. For our own sake and the sake of those watching us, let’s say “no!” tomocking and sarcasm!  If friends ask what’s up, tell them you’ve decided it doesn’t flow with the bible.,maybe you’ll be a wake call to someone else.

 

“It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.” Matthew 15:11

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:29-32

 

How should I pray?

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You’re probably familiar with the phrase, “What Would Jesus Do?,” The WWJD movement  was spurred by the fictional story, “In His Steps.” It tells of people who loved Jesus enough to invite him into their daily decision making, asking, “What would Jesus do in this situation?” If in fact we want to follow Jesus, we need to respond to that question ourselves. We might not intuitively know how Jesus would respond to a current dilemma we face, but scripture reveals his nature to us, and that shines a light on the path we should take.

 

There’s another question we should ask that maybe you’ve never heard asked before:

“How would Jesus pray?”

 

Marcia and I were discussing this during a recent devotion time: What does it actually mean to pray . . . “in the name of Jesus?” More than an automatic “goodbye” signal at the end of a conversation, praying in the name of Jesus means to pray as he would pray.  We’re praying that my immune system will fully recover so I can get travel vaccinations needed to pursue our call to the Bolivian mission field. We all pray for what we want and what we think best from our perspective. But is that how Jesus prayed?

 

Jesus did pray for specific results as he healed the sick, gave sight to the blind and raised Lazarus from the grave. But in all these he sought his Father’s will. Submitting to God’s will is dramatically illustrated in “The Lord’s Prayer” and as Jesus later prayed specifically, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39)

 

Isn’t this the model for all our prayers? Father, if you are willing, if it pleases you, if it advances your gospel (let *this* be done). Nevertheless not my will but yours be done. If you are willing, bring healing. If it pleases you most, let me delivered from this trial. Nevertheless, if suffering draws me closer to you, if my loss is used for your gain, let your will be done. Because your will is best.

 

Some of our toughest prayers have been for our children, praying *whatever* it takes to draw them closer to God. Even if it means earthly calamity…keep them faithful. It’s a hard prayer, isn’t it? Jesus agonized over such a prayer to the point of sweating blood.

 

From our human perspective it seems unbearable to consider an answer to prayer that includes pain or sorrow. I think about how most of the apostles died and how they prayed in their time of suffering and dying. And praying in Jesus’ name doesn’t seem to get easier over time. I think about an older friend who spoke to me when I visited him in the hospital, telling me he is “learning how to die” in a manner that honors God.

 

Praying God’s will is hard. It flies against our nature to pray what doesn’t *seem* best for us. Yet our only real hope is to come to Jesus, day by day and moment by moment, seeking his will, not ours.

 

Charles Stanley reminds us, “Praying in the name of Jesus signifies agreement with His will. You are asking the Father to grant your need or desire as Jesus would, were He in your position. When you pray with this attitude, God is going to reveal His will because you want nothing less than what He wants. This is the kind of prayer that changes the world.”

 

Lord, guide me and strengthen me in your power to stand firm in the battle and remain faithful, in the name of Jesus.

 

Do not be afraid or discouraged. The battle is not yours, but God’s.
2 Chronicles 20:15

 

Income inequality – wwjd?

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Most of you reading this on your computers probably don’t consider yourself rich like “the 1%.” Yet the reality is, we are all likely richer than most living on this planet with us. Some may say, “Well I work for it and so I have a right to my riches.” I don’t disagree. But consider the testimony of the first century church; one of immense generosity out of poverty, living and giving to benefit others in Jesus’ name. Today, most of us live in relative abundance, not lacking for any real needs. I wonder if we are even able to hear Christ asking us to love and serve him by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting those in prison…

 

Jay Parini, author of “Jesus: The Human Face of God,” has some provoking thoughts for us:

 

“Ridding the world of poverty is, of course, a fantasy. Jesus knew this: “You will always have the poor among you,” he said (Matthew 26:11). He also said, “God blesses you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.” (Luke 6:20). He cries (echoing the Old Testament): “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring the good news to the poor.” (Luke 4:18). Jesus also noted that it is easier “for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:23-24).

 

“Jesus discouraged the accumulation of wealth , worried about its effects on those who had it, and took special pleasure in helping the poor, dedicating his efforts to them.

 

“Everyone knows that the wealth gap in the U.S. has increased dramatically. Even those formerly known as the middle class struggle to make ends meet. Do people on the other end of this inequality equation really fare better? Does wealth make you happy? Jesus certainly didn’t think so.

 

“Neuroscientists have suggested that being rich actually makes you less happy and, even worse, unable to sympathize with the poor. They find that the rich and powerful among us show less brain activity in that region of the brain where human sympathy is excited. Conversely, those who feel poor and marginalized in society show a great deal of sympathetic activity. The ability to sympathize with those around us seems crucial to our survival, and it’s connected to the mirroring functions of the brain.

 

Is it any wonder that when a rich young man came to Jesus asking for spiritual guidance, Jesus said: “If you wish to feel complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” (Matthew 19:21). The young man “went away grieving,” as he had so much property and didn’t want to let go of anything. But letting go is essential to our own happiness as well as the world’s economic equilibrium. It’s a hard teaching, but it’s important.”

 

BT: You nor I have all the answers to this issue. But I believe God would love for us to talk with Him about it and then let Him speak to us individually about what Jesus-in-us would do.

 

 

The Inspiration for Go Light Your World

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In many ways Dawn Neudahl, along with her husband Pastor Willy, were the inspiration for the Go Light Your World ministry. After watching the TV with a sense of helplessness during and after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, we organized the first of several mission trips to the ravaged city. Dawn, always in the background, worked full-time at her day job and hours and hours each evening supporting a small church plant. Dawn understands the heart of community and lives to build that. She regularly strives to bring the practical love of Jesus into the lives torn apart not just by THAT storm but other storms of life. She is such a humble, gentle, and caring example of “What would Jesus do.”

During a private trip to New Orleans, Dawn had loaned us her car to run errands. In the CD player was a song by Chris Rice, called “Go Light Your World.” I think we listened to it a dozen times, stunned by how it captured the heart of our missions to not only New Orleans but also flood ravaged Cedar Rapids. (Over 250 people joined us in building not only houses but also relationships.) From this came the one month mission trip to Bolivia and the call to full-time missions there (interrupted by my bout with Leukemia for a season of preparation).

Thank you Dawn for being a vessel of gentleness and humble Christian love. You are an inspiration to us.

Happy Birthday!

Thayers

Dawn and Willy Neudahl

Dawn and Willy Neudahl