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Jesus Was An Anti-Social Rebel

8/7/2012

7 Comments

 
Picture
Check for images of Jesus on Google, and the plethora of possibilities is quite pronounced. Each of them, including the photos of actors portraying the Son of Man, is different. There was a certain tendency, however, until modern times, to portray Him as somber and/or soft. Most of the religious imagery until the 20th century falls into this category.
Sadly, our concept of the man is often colored by the images we've seen, rather than by the Book we've read.

Picture
Does the Bible ever say explicitly "Jesus laughed?"
No.
But neither does it say that He was somber.
Does the Bible ever record Jesus as being carefree, happy-go-lucky?
No.
But neither does it record a serious, sin-conscious Savior.
The fact of the matter is that we know nothing of the physical characteristics of the Savior of the world. Everything we think we know has been passed down to us as the fruit of someone's imagination.
I am not saying we are wrong. I am saying we have no way of being accurate.
Yet, there are those who are upset with the concept presented in the first picture of a laughing Jesus--as if He never laughed.

He told us on one occasion to not be gloomy (Matt. 6:16).

There are those who want to argue over whether Jesus was black or white. Others want to argue over whether His hair was long or short. Still others want to argue over whether He was wealthy or poor.
The simple truth of these matters is, we DON'T KNOW.

We DO know about what kind of man He was, though, because the scriptures paint a vivid picture of His character.
  • He was spiritually minded--Lk. 2:49; Mk. 1:35; Jn. 5:19
  • He despised a religion that did not set people free--Matt. 23:15
  • He didn't care if people misunderstood Him--Jn. 6:67 (context vv. 53-67), and He didn't try to explain Himself
  • He violated social morals--John 4:4-30 (the woman at the well); Matt. 9:11-12
  • He violated religious rules and traditions--Mk. 7:2-5; Matt. 12:1-2
  • He didn't accuse sinners of being sinful--Jn. 8:11
  • He got violent and messy with those who used religion for making money--Matt. 21:12
  • He did not talk nicely to the rulers--"You hypocrites!"

So we see that though He did not have a rebellious attitude, He did violate many of the rules of His day.

What can we draw from this?
Mainly, that we do not have to be total conformists to our church club called Christianity. We need to learn to be more like the Master, and live like He did in a society that is opposed to us.

Would you skip a church meeting if your pre-Christian friend wanted you to spend time with them?
Would you give your tithe to the homeless man begging in front of the fast-food restaurant?
Would you attend a Bible study in a bar?
Would you have dinner with an openly gay couple?
Would you tell your religious leader that you will no longer be bound by tradition that is against the Word of God?

Did Jesus ever laugh?
Probably.
He was a man who had to deal with the likes of Peter and Thomas.

Comments, questions and/or criticisms are welcomed here. Please add yours to the discussion. Thank you.
7 Comments
Jendel Wolfe
8/7/2012 12:34:53 pm

I love it! I often wonder how much light-hearted banter he had with the woman at the well. I read a lot of it in their interaction. Then he got serious with her when it came to what was more important in her life. I love that story above all the others.

Reply
Dale
8/7/2012 01:01:06 pm

Interesting way to see that. I like it.

Reply
Annie
8/7/2012 01:59:36 pm

I like this.

Reply
John
8/9/2012 10:44:37 pm

Excellent and thought provoking!
While I do understand your point about living like He did, I think it would be better to look to see Him as He is and live the life that He has secured for us all.
I do believe that He is one with the Father who is unchanging. But, He “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Phil 2:6-8 Did this not result in our Lord, as He was, in having limitations.
Now, as He is, He is limitless!
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 every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection 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. Eph 1:20-22

What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. 1 John 3:3
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20
I did not like the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) at all! Truth is we don’t know what Jesus would do in a given situation. And, I don’t think we could even come close by studying the earthly Jesus in the gospels.
We need to learn to see more of the Master as He is, and live like He lives in a society that is longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

Reply
Dale
8/13/2012 07:54:26 pm

Yes, John. Actually, that is exactly what I was going for--not being bound by any sort of expectations, whether self- or other-imposed. Rather, we are to live as He has created us--each with our own unique personality kinks and quirks. The fact that He lived outside the expected norms should show that being true to what the Father is directing YOU is more important than what others think the Father is telling you. What He is is what He was--Heb. 13:8

Reply
Charlotte
8/13/2012 10:58:35 pm

Dale, you have hit the nail on the head. And John, I, too, never did like the WWJD mentality for this very reason.

Charlotte
8/13/2012 01:29:22 am

Excellent posting.

I have found one passage where he refers to a personality characteristic about himself: Matthew 11:29. "...for I am meek and lowly in heart." But we, being proud of our pride and "principles" (simply another manifestation of pride) blithely overlook this one.

Did He laugh? I am sure He did, for the Psalms (and other books) refer to a God who laughs more than once. And we are made in His image. Laugh, on, Jesus....You are probably rejoicing in this posting. :-)

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    Dale has been sharing the practical application of the truths from the Bible for more than 40 years. He has often said, "People know how to shout the victory on Sunday, but can't figure out how to handle Monday." This blog is an attempt to help God's people on that journey.

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