Stop Trying To Be Jesus To People

It started with the cool and the cute WWJD bracelets.

A Poor Question:  What Would Jesus Do? (WWJD)

How valuable are quaint Christian sayings like, “WWJD?”  This particular saying has been criticized from many angles, yet it is still utilized constantly as we implore one another to imitate Christ our Lord.

Surely, they have some merit, and move many to good works.  But is that good enough?  Our purpose in this world goes far beyond gaining public acceptance and like-ability as Christians, building a church reputation or hoping non-Christians see Christians as nicer and better people and want to become one. 

Asking “what would Jesus do?” is such an offensive question.  It is far too personal, too unanswerable, too myopic, and too pretentious all at the same time.  We are not Jesus, and we simply do not know the answer, especially in regards to other people, let alone ourselves truly and deeply.  It is simplistic moralism.  In fact, that is its background.  The idea for the question came from the book “In His Steps” by C. Sheldon.  This book promotes a moral vision in line with a liberal Christianity.

Some have heard the criticism and switched their language.  Instead we hear that we are “to be like Jesus” or “to be His hands, feet, etc.”  Same difference.  Same limitations.    Yet, the worship songs keep rolling out.

Such brief moral musings actually limit our Christian vision and smudge the glory of God.  What if we stopped trying to be Jesus or some lesser incarnation and just let Jesus be Jesus?  And what if we asked instead, “what would Jesus have us do?”  Let’s return to basic Christianity.

A Better Question:  What Is Jesus Doing? (WIJD)

Most certainly we should really start with considering what Jesus has done in His Incarnation (becoming man), His life (revealing God’s truth) and especially on the Cross (redemption from sin).  Even before that there was His eternal glorious existence as the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, and then taking part in the creation of the world.

In fact the opening of the Book of Hebrews does exactly this in 1:1-4 (Jesus Christ In Eight Wonders), but then proceeds to recount the heavenly coronation liturgy given for the Holy Son of God in verses 5-14, extensively.  Did you know that this is what it is?!

Hebrews 1:5–14 ESV “For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”?  Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.” And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”

So, perhaps our focus should be on what Jesus is doing now, in light of what He has done, and of course looking ahead to what He will be doing.  

What about the here and now?  An often overlooked doctrine of great importance is that of Christ Jesus’ ascension (going into heaven), coronation (being crowned as king), and session (reigning as king), after His resurrection and before His yet future return.

Ephesians 1:20–23 ESV “that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ is actively and sovereignly ruling over all the affairs of this world to advance His own glory and to honor and bless His Church.  In other words, He is not just some historical moral religious teacher or exemplary Lord, but the director of all things from His heavenly throne.  That’s awesome!

The WWJD thing hinders us in doing missions because the focus is on ourselves, our morals, our reputation and mundane concerns of this life.   The WIJD concept advances us in His Mission because we now see it, and it is huge!  

Our morality will take care of itself, through the power of the Holy Spirit working His will in us, of course.  But, with the WIJD vision we can lift up our heads and work on larger things because we see the larger glory of God!

So ask yourself and others often, “What is Jesus Doing?”  Wonder aloud together.  Worship, praise and pray.  Rejoice and move forward.