Well, the Olympics are in full swing now and we are almost a week and a half removed from the opening ceremonies. If you have missed the controversy over the opening ceremonies, you are never on social media, and you don’t watch conservative news programs. The organizers of the opening festivities seemed to mock The Last Supper of Jesus by mirroring Da Vinci’s famous portrait by filling a similar table with drag queens and transvestites that were observing a pagan ritual to the Greek god Dionysus — the god of fertility, wine and revelry. Christians, religious organizations and churches have been expressing their outrage at the mockery of Christ. I have reserved commenting on the Olympic opening ceremonies until now, because I wanted to let the dust settle and reflect on what took place.
So, here is what I have been pondering for the last 10 days; Why are Christians and the Church surprised? Jesus was mocked when he walked on planet earth, he was mocked at his trial and crucifixion, and he has been mocked for the last 2000 years. What took place 10 days ago is not new… rather… it is an old and familiar story. Jesus himself said, If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” John 15:18 NIV Jesus wasn’t surprised that people mocked and hated him, so why should we be?
I have heard and read Christians (and many well-known Christian leaders) use words like “outraged,” “vengeance,” “angry,” “furious,” “how dare they” and “boycott”. I understand that these next words will not be popular with some who read them… but I don’t think those words are appropriate for Christ-followers in this situation — because how we respond to criticism, mockery and hostility toward the Christian faith matters. Those words reflect attitudes.
So, how ought Christians respond to what took place at the Olympic opening ceremonies? It’s really not that hard of a question, folks… How did Jesus respond when he was mocked? Was he outraged? Did he cry for vengeance from his Heavenly Father? Was he angry? Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44 He taught, “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also.” Luke 6:29 He modeled, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
I have never read one verse in the Bible that instructs me to defend God. He is fully capable of defending himself. If God desires to pour out His wrath on those Olympic organizers — that is His right… and if He desires to extend mercy and grace to them because He does not wish for any to perish — that is His right as well. You and I? We are called to be like Christ.
I am not outraged… I am not angry… I am not leering for God’s vengeance… I am heartbroken. I weep as I write this… My loving Savior… who suffered and bled for me… who is so hallowed and sacred in my life… my Lord… my King… was mocked for his suffering and sacrifice for me (and for all of Humanity). The people of this world are in the express lane to Hell because they fail to embrace the loving Savior.
Matthew wrote of Jesus, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 Oh folks, the Good Shepherd longs to gather people to himself because apart from him they are helpless and harassed.
So, I’m not outraged… I am heartbroken. I pray for those who mock Jesus… I can turn my cheek at their offense for the sake of my Savior… and I forgive them, because they know not what they do. I’ll let God defend Himself.
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