What would Jesus do?

“...What if God’s like one of us? Just a slob like one of us? Just a stranger on the bus, trying to make his way home?...” - Joan Osbourne

It’s an interesting philosophical exercise to reflect on how Jesus would react to, and exist in the present day western society. I’m not convinced, as some of my church friends are, that he would be the angry, vengeful, old-testament God, turning over tables at the temple, and publicly rebuking sinners. I actually believe Joan Osbourne got it right, he would be just like one of us… only different.

Jesus was, aside from the most important aspect of his persona, a mensch. It’s a beautifully Yiddish word that is used to refer to a person having admirable characteristics, such as fortitude and firmness of purpose, one who radiates a kind of fundamental decency.

Yet, He was all about the relationship with God, he didn’t sweat the earthly stuff. He rendered unto Caesar what was Caesar’s and he didn’t heal everybody, just a few. He raised the dead not for his own glory, but to show that even death held no power over God. He turned water into wine not because folks were thirsty, but in order to illustrate and emphasize a message. He fed 5000 on crumbs not because they were hungry, but because he wanted to show his followers that they needed to have faith in the power of God to do what seemed impossible. Fundamentally, it wasn’t about Him, it was about the message he brought. The message that there is an all knowing, all powerful God who created us, sustains us, and loves us unconditionally, and asks that we show the fortitude, and firmness of purpose to carry out those trivial tasks that he sometimes asks of us in small, quiet ways. Jesus understood, and wanted us to understand that God isn't always "magical" but often works small miracles through poor, simple slobs like one of us. His only request is that we be faithful to Him, and decent to one another, not for our own sake, or for His sake, but because it’s the right thing to do.

So, what if God’s like one of us? What would Jesus be like if he walked among us?

I think he’d be the kid in school who’s not a great athlete, but who makes every practice, always gives 100% and does the little things to help the team, and would thus have the respect of the “jocks”. He’s the kid who isn’t a “moter head”, but has their respect because he seems genuinely interested in their obsession with all things car, and would listen to them. He wouldn’t be a “stoner”, “thrasher”, “greaser”, “goth”, or “nerd” but they would consider him “cool” because he doesn’t hate them, fear them or judge them, he just accepts them the way they are. He wouldn’t be the guy all the girls are throwing themselves at, but they would all like him “…as a friend…”.

He’d be the guy at work who you could always count on to get his work done well, and on time. He’d be the person you could tell things to in confidence, and be sure they would stay confidential. He’d give you honest answers in a compassionate way. He’d be the guy everyone likes, but no one thinks to invite out for drinks after work.

At church, he’d be sitting towards the back, really listening to the sermon, and trying to learn something from it, maybe he’d be invited to teach Sunday School because he seems to have a unique way of connecting with kids in a loving way. The consensus would be that it was too bad he wasn’t married because he’d be such a great dad.

On the bus home, he’d be the guy who quietly reads the paper, who always seems content, but not overjoyed, who greets everyone who meets his gaze a smile and a sincere “how are you?” and then listened to the answer, he’d be the guy who gives up his seat to the old lady getting on the bus, so she could sit closer to the door.

Yep, he’d be just a slob like one of us…just a stranger on the bus…trying to make his way home. As are we all.

Peace to you all.