WWJD

WWJD. Remember when the latest fad was wearing clothes or jewelry that had the initials for the phrase “What would Jesus do?” The intent was good, but it got old quickly. Worse yet, it often was answered with shallow thinking. (For example: A “loving” Jesus would never… [fill in the blank with whatever cause you want to defend].)

The reality is Jesus rarely did what we might predict or expect. When Jesus learned that Lazarus was dying, what did He do? Go heal him? Send a sympathy scroll? No, He stayed away from His close friend until he died. Yes, Jesus then raised Lazarus from the dead, but who would have responded to WWJD with that as an option?

Consider Christmas. WWJD? Sure, it is easy now to say Jesus would be born to a humble family in an obscure small town in an occupied country. But who would have guessed it? And to be born as a baby in the first place? Inconceivable.

Most important of all, consider Easter. The idea that Jesus would suffer and die for us? Simply ludicrous. We may shake our heads in wonder that the disciples didn’t get it when He predicted His death and resurrection, but I seriously doubt we would have done much better. In fact, many still don’t get it. It truly is something we would not have offered as an answer to WWJD.

While Jesus’ character was consistent (He always displayed love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.), His actions were led not by a simplistic view of showing an act of kindness, but by a vision for what would be the greatest possible act of kindness. When he threw the money changers out of the Temple or took on the hypocritical religious leaders, it was an act of love and kindness done with gentleness and patience.

So as we “make disciples of every people group,” let’s make sure we are training them to be followers of the real Jesus, not the weak caricature so often portrayed.