The Real Jesus
Have you ever felt completely misunderstood?
Like when you’re learning a language and you try really hard to say the word “embarrassed” and it comes out sounding like “pregnant” to the local Spanish person you are trying to talk to. (If you speak Spanish you can easily understand the mistake I made here.)
Oftentimes it’s like so much gets lost in translation. People like me, who follow Jesus, often get misinterpreted to be those who say they follow Jesus, but it turns out the Jesus they follow isn’t really Jesus. It’s just the Jesus they have made up in their minds to be like the real Jesus.
How do I know who the real Jesus is?
There are 4 books written by 4 of his followers who had an up close view on who Jesus was. The Gospels give us a great deal of information and also are the best way to get a feel of not only who Jesus was on earth, but also enough story behind his behavior to suggest how he would behave today if he were here among us again.
Recently I read the following written by Carlos Rodriguez. He has read the gospels and he gives us a very good idea who the real Jesus is with the contrasts he makes.
I reject the version of Jesus...
By Carlos Rodriguez
I are blessed” instead of, “give everything to the poor and follow me.”Who would have pushed women to the fringes of the narrative, instead of empowering Mary to be the first preacher of resurrection.
Who would have preferred dinners with politicians and high society, instead of being surrounded by the lowly and the outcast.
Who would have taken up residency in Jerusalem to become a famous talking-head, instead of walking among the hurting and those nobody would visit.
Who would have used the sword to rule with might, instead of healing those affected by violence.
Who would have demanded resources so he could build his empire, instead of riding a donkey on his way to sacrifice.
Yes, I reject this Jesus as a fabrication of racism. An idol of misogyny. A golden calf of greed.
And I follow the Christ who preaches good news to the poor.And feeds the hungry.And empowers the marginalized.
And loves the broken parts of you and me.
I love the real Jesus.
The one who loves me and continues to love me even when I don’t act like I love him in return.This Jesus only trafficked in love.
If he were here today I believe I’d see him hauling groceries up 6 flights of stairs for a tired single mom who's been working retail all day. Jesus would make her dinner, feed her family, and tuck her kids in bed with a silly story. Then he’d give her a glass of wine and rub her feet while she cried a little and eventually fell asleep. Then he’d clean up the kitchen and pack lunches for the next day so she’s ready to go again. As a final flourish, he’d blow a kiss that would become a bouquet of daisies for her table. A floral benediction.
The real Jesus said “Love each other as I have loved you.”
I pray that my love is never lost in translation.