Jonathots Daily Blog
(4194)
I sat and listened quietly, almost mouse-like, as two fellows in their early thirties launched into a great debate, right before my ears, about whether the Joker, as presented in the latest film, would actually be as murderous as predicted.
The discussion became vehement, nearly volatile. Each one of the fine fellows was certain that he had a pinpoint understanding on the true character, if not mental profile, of the villain.
Internally I was smiling.
The truth is, they both could be right since the Joker is a fictitious character.
Yes—you can conjure almost any scenario about him you want in the pursuit of advertising your theory or feathering your nest with ticket sales.
Likewise, of late I have sat in the presence of my Republican and Democrat brothers and sisters as they have mused over whether Jesus would agree with some portion of their political piety. But you see, here’s the problem–in this second discussion between the politicians, they fail to remember that unlike the Joker, Jesus was not a mythical figure.
There is some actual historical confirmation of his life, quite a few renditions of his thinking, and even a record of his untimely demise, recorded for all time by the fastidious Roman Empire.
It is much more difficult to turn Jesus of Nazareth into a mascot rooting for your team.
The Republicans may want to make him conservative as the Democrats profile him as liberal, but the fact of the matter is:
Jesus was Jesonian.
He had a way of thinking, doing, being, believing, loving, caring and moving.
If you choose to study these motions and imitate them, then you might be able to call yourself a Christian. But if you’re going to ignore the biographical information available and the obvious choices he made as a human being, you may pretend he is a mythical being, but it will be very easy to prove his timeline.
Let’s be clear:
Jesus never claimed that he was “Almighty” or “a stable genius.”
He also did not profile himself to be the preacher for the poor—out to get the top one percent of rich folks.
He didn’t rail against abortion and demand that people sacrifice their free will.
But of course, he did favor children, and said they were “like the kingdom of heaven.”
Yet rather than going through a litany of issues that have been placed upon his shoulders as burdens to carry, let’s look at two things we do know about him, based upon his own words and actions:
1. On a fine afternoon, when approached by a rich, young ruler, who addressed him as “Good Master,” Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? There’s none good but God.”
Now, Jesus had done enough kindly deeds, and dare we say, even merciful acts of miraculous proportions, to have absorbed up the word “good” without seeming to be puffed up.
But you see, he didn’t.
He portrayed that one of the great frailties of human thinking is to believe, promote and toot your horn as you trumpet your goodness to the populace.
Once again, he refused to call himself good.
2. Talking to his disciples one morning, he said, “When you’ve done that which is expected of you, call yourself an unprofitable servant.”
This was certainly an unpopular position with folks around the world who wanted to feel persecuted, let down, set aside or ignored.
Jesus made it clear that if you’re not excelling, you’re bitching.
So when it comes to those Republicans who love to talk about how great our nation is or what mighty deeds are being achieved, how they’re “the deciders,” or even how exceptional we are as a country…
Don’t get ready for Jesus to show up at the rally.
He kept his perspective.
Human beings don’t gain any power by insisting they have it.
There’s none good but God.
And for all my Democrat buddies out there, who think the bad rich people who have made money are the reason that the poor folks are unmotivated, broken, selfish and begging, they should take another gander at what Jesus really promotes before they dress him up in his blue robe and roll him out at the Convention. For Jesus said, “Stop feeling sorry for yourself. If you do what you’re supposed to do, that doesn’t even get you in the door.”
Set your GPS for the second mile.
Now, if you like this statement of Jesus, I would invite you to join me and a chosen few in living it out joyfully. If you don’t, then hang around.
There’ll be an elephant or a donkey along real soon to carry you to the voting booth.
The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly subscription donation of $10 for this inspirational opportunity
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